VASERlipo and traditional liposuction both remove localized fat through small incisions, but they differ in how they loosen the fat. VASERlipo uses ultrasound energy to emulsify fat before suction, while traditional liposuction uses a cannula to mechanically break up fat before removal.
Located in Rancho Mirage, CA, Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery performs both techniques under the care of Maria Lombardo, DO, FACOS. She is a board-certified general surgeon, a diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and a fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon.
How Do the Two Liposuction Techniques Work?
With traditional liposuction, the surgeon inserts a thin, hollow cannula through small incisions. They move the cannula through the fatty layer to loosen fat, then remove it with suction.
VASERlipo adds an ultrasound step. After the treatment area is infused with fluid, ultrasound energy breaks up and emulsifies the fat before suctioning it out. This can give the surgeon another tool for selective fat removal and detailed contouring. VASERlipo is still liposuction, so it involves incisions, suction, and a recovery period.
What Are the Main Differences?
Traditional liposuction relies on mechanical cannula movement before suction. VASERlipo adds ultrasound energy before removing the fat. That additional step may help with selective sculpting in certain areas, but both techniques still involve surgery and can cause swelling, bruising, and soreness during recovery.
Ultrasound assistance doesn’t make VASERlipo automatically better for everyone. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that assisted liposuction has certain advantages in some situations, but relatively few studies show that its results are superior to those from traditional liposuction.
Can They Treat the Same Areas?
There is substantial overlap. At Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery, traditional liposuction can be used on areas such as the abdomen, hips, flanks, buttocks, thighs, inner knees, chest, and submental region. VASERlipo can target many of the same locations, as well as the arms, back, neck, breasts, calves, and ankles.
Both procedures may use local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the treatment plan. Swelling, bruising, and soreness can occur during recovery, and the timeline varies depending on the areas addressed and the extent of fat removal.
Discuss Liposuction Options With Dr. Lombardo
The choice between VASERlipo and traditional liposuction depends on the treatment area, the amount and character of the fat, skin elasticity, the degree of definition you want, and Dr. Lombardo’s surgical plan. Neither technique is automatically better.
To discuss your options, contact Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery at 760-610-8990 and arrange a consultation in Rancho Mirage, CA.
