Vaser® Liposuction (Hi-Def Body Contouring)
The persistence of stubborn fat deposits isn’t always a sign that you haven’t put in enough effort. For many patients, certain areas of the body hold onto fat regardless of how consistently they eat well or exercise. These deposits are often structural, which means no amount of cardio or caloric discipline will meaningfully change them.
VASER liposuction was designed for exactly this problem. By using ultrasonic energy to break down fat before it is removed, the technology allows for a high degree of precision and sculpting capability. For patients pursuing high-definition body contouring that delivers cleaner and more proportionate results, VASER liposuction is the most capable tool available.
Dr. Glenn Vallecillos, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, has extensive experience with VASER liposuction across a full range of body contouring goals, from subtle reshaping to 4D high-definition sculpting.
What Is VASER Liposuction?
VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. It is a minimally invasive, ultrasound-assisted approach to fat removal that differs from traditional liposuction in one important way: the fat is emulsified before it is extracted.
During treatment, a specialized probe delivers ultrasonic energy directly into the targeted tissue. That energy disrupts fat cells while leaving surrounding structures, including nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue, largely unaffected. Once the fat is broken down, it is removed through the same small incisions using traditional or power-assisted liposuction.
The result is smoother tissue, more controlled contouring and a recovery that tends to involve less bruising and discomfort than conventional techniques produce.
What Does VASER Liposuction Address?
VASER liposuction is suited for patients with localized fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise and who want a more defined body contour without the recovery time of a more invasive surgical procedure.
It is commonly used to treat:
- Abdomen and flanks
- Arms
- Back
- Inner and outer thighs
- Calves
- Submentum (under the chin)
- Chest, including gynecomastia
Because VASER can access both the deep and superficial fat layers with precision, it is also frequently used in revision liposuction cases to correct contour irregularities, dents or asymmetries left by prior procedures.
How VASER Liposuction Works
VASER liposuction is performed in-office or at an accredited surgery center, depending on the scope of treatment. Larger cases are performed under general anesthesia; smaller cases may use local anesthesia with sedation.
Infiltration
Tumescent fluid is infused into the treatment area. This numbing solution prepares the tissue, constricts blood vessels to reduce bruising and creates the medium through which VASER energy operates.
Fragmentation
The ultrasonic probe is passed through the treatment area, generating rapid bubble formation and collapse within the tumescent fluid. This process, known as cavitation, dislodges fat cell clusters with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue. Grooves on the probe also produce localized fluid forces that further break fat into smaller emulsified clusters.
Aspiration
The emulsified fat is removed through small-diameter cannulas, which minimize trauma to nerves, vessels and the surrounding fibrous matrix.
Retraction
The heat transferred to the fibrous network connecting muscle to skin during the VASER phase stimulates collagen and promotes skin tightening beyond what traditional liposuction produces. The space created by fat removal further supports optimal tissue retraction as healing progresses.
Before Your Procedure
During your consultation, Dr. Vallecillos will evaluate your anatomy, review your medical history and determine whether VASER liposuction is the appropriate approach for your goals. Treatment areas will be mapped, expectations will be established and pre-operative instructions will be reviewed.
In the weeks before your procedure:
- Stop taking anti-inflammatory medications, including aspirin and ibuprofen, at least two weeks prior
- Discontinue alcohol and caffeine 24 hours before the procedure
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before surgery
- Avoid supplements that increase bleeding risk, including turmeric, ginger, vitamin E, garlic, CoQ10 and ginkgo biloba
- Increase hydration in the days leading up to your procedure
Aftercare and Recovery
Most patients take five to ten days away from work and normal activity. A compression garment is placed immediately after surgery and worn for approximately six weeks to manage swelling and support the contouring result.
Lymphatic massage and ultrasound therapy begin the day after surgery to accelerate fluid clearance. Swelling is largely resolved within two weeks. Full skin tightening and final contour results develop over three to four months.
Heavy exercise should be avoided for one month. Swimming is not permitted for at least two weeks post-procedure.
Am I a Candidate for VASER Liposuction?
VASER liposuction is best suited for patients who are close to their goal weight and want to address specific areas of fat or improve overall body definition. The ideal candidate is:
- 22 years of age or older
- At a BMI of 28 or below
- In good overall health
- A non-smoker
- Active, with realistic expectations for outcome
VASER liposuction is not appropriate for patients who are pregnant, currently undergoing chemotherapy, have active infections or have synthetic implants in the planned treatment area. A full medical history review at consultation will confirm candidacy.
VASER Liposuction vs. Traditional Liposuction
Both procedures remove fat through small incisions using cannulas, but the technologies and outcomes differ in meaningful ways.
Traditional liposuction extracts fat mechanically, without pre-treatment of the tissue. VASER liposuction first emulsifies the fat using ultrasonic energy, making extraction smoother and allowing for work in both the superficial and deep fat layers. This translates to more precise contouring, less trauma to surrounding tissue, reduced post-operative bruising and superior skin retraction compared to conventional techniques.
For patients looking for high-definition results or addressing revision cases, VASER liposuction provides capabilities that traditional liposuction cannot replicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do results last?
How long do results last?
Fat cells removed through VASER liposuction are permanently eliminated. Initial improvement is visible within the first one to two days post-procedure. The final contour is fully appreciable within six months, once swelling has completely resolved. Maintaining a stable weight protects those results over time.
Is there scarring?
Is there scarring?
Incisions used for VASER liposuction are small and placed within the body's natural contours whenever possible. Most patients find any resulting marks to be minimal and well-concealed. Scarring varies by individual but is generally a minor consideration for most patients.
What side effects should I expect?
What side effects should I expect?
Swelling, bruising and temporary numbness at the treatment site are the most common side effects. Most resolve within the first few weeks. Less common risks include seroma, hyperpigmentation, contour irregularity and infection, all of which are discussed in detail at the time of consultation.