Liposuction and VASER® Lipo Information and FAQs

Dr. Robert Houser, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Liposuction information, VASER® Lipo information, Body contouring. Frequently asked questions, Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery of Columbus, Ohio.

Liposuction (also called suction lipectomy or liposculpture) is used to remove pockets of fat from under the skin. Since only small incisions are used, there is very little scarring. Liposuction can be applied to almost any area of the body, including but not limited to the neck, chest, abdomen, flanks and thighs (saddle bags).

Liposuction Medical Illustration Columbus Ohio

Liposuction is performed after the injection of solution (called either a tumescent or wetting solution) that reduces both pain and bruising following surgery. There are many misconceptions about liposuction. The fat cells that are removed are gone forever, but that does not mean that all of the fat is removed. People can certainly gain weight after liposuction and "undo" their results. It cannot be used as a replacement for weight loss, only for contouring problem areas. Swelling may persist following surgery and can last for months.

Compression garments can help reduce swelling and get a patient to their final result faster. Recovery is about 1 week, however final results may not be visible for several months.

Dr. Robert Houser performs liposuction and VASER® Lipo in our Westerville / Columbus, Ohio medical office. Please read below to find out about liposuction and VASER® Lipo

VASER® Lipo®

People come in all different shapes and sizes. Every body type has areas that are predisposed to fat storage and, even with rigorous diet and exercise, those unwanted bulges often persist. Patented VASER® technology and the advanced VASER® Lipo technique now offer a safe alternative for ridding yourself of those stubborn fat deposits to provide you a smooth new shape with fast recovery.

What is VASER® Lipo? Is it different than traditional liposuction?

VASER® Lipo is a minimally invasive procedure that precisely and efficiently removes unwanted body fat. An alternative to the harsh techniques of traditional liposuction, VASER® Lipo uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology designed to gently reshape your body. What distinguishes the VASER® Lipo procedure is its ability to differentiate targeted fat from other important tissues – such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. Innovative VASER® technology breaks up fat while conserving these other important tissues. Only the VASER® Lipo procedure uses the proprietary VASER® System to first liquefy fat and then remove it from the body to promote smooth results and rapid healing with only low to minimal pain.

What happens during VASER® Lipo?

First, the area to be reshaped is filled with a special saline solution that helps numb the site and shrink the blood vessels (to minimize blood loss and reduce bruising). This solution wets and fills the area to be treated, making it easier to break up fatty tissue with the VASER® Lipo System’s ultrasound energy. Then a small probe transmits sound energy (similar to that used for cataract removal from the eye) to fragment fatty tissue on contact while leaving other important tissues largely intact. Finally, the liquefied fat is removed through a gentle suction process designed to minimize damage to surrounding tissues.

Is VASER® Lipo right for me?

If you are frustrated by the resistance of certain body areas to diet and exercise, VASER® Lipo can provide a solution. If you are healthy and seeking a fast, low-pain solution for losing stubborn fat deposits, the Lipo procedure could be your answer. Patients who say they would have never considered liposuction are now finding the VASER® Lipo procedure is a minimally invasive option for the achievement of their body reshaping goals. Although there are limits to the amount of fat that can be removed, your doctor can assist you with your decision about potential areas for contouring, anticipated results, and the recovery process.

General Questions about Liposuction

On which areas of the body can liposuction be performed?

Liposuction may be used to reduce localized fat deposits of the cheeks, chin, neck, upper arms, breast, chest, back, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, inner knee, calves and ankles.

Will I need to have general anesthesia during liposuction?

Most patients do not require general anesthesia during liposuction. However, if you are having multiple cosmetic procedures performed in one visit, such as a tummy tuck and liposuction, general or regional anesthesia such as epidural catheters may be used. Dr. Houser will go over the various anesthesia options with you during your consultation.

How much weight will I lose with liposuction?

Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, but it is a targeted body contouring procedure. Although you may notice some weight loss liposuction is primarily used to rid targeted problem areas of excess fat deposits.

I have noticed that not all surgeons performing liposuction are board certified. Why choose a plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS)? Is this important?

An ASPS member surgeon has fulfilled the following requirements:

Has at least five years of surgical training and a minimum of two years of plastic surgery training.
Is board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Is trained and experienced in all plastic surgery procedures, including breast, body, face and reconstruction.
Is peer-reviewed for safety and ethical standards prior to attaining the honor of active membership.
Only operates in accredited facilities.

Why is it important to choose a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

Many physicians who perform cosmetic procedures will claim board certification, but it is important to clarify which board. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is a part of the American Board of Medical Specialties and has been in existence since 1937. Certification by this board signifies that the surgeon has completed an approved plastic surgery residency, has passed a comprehensive written examination, and has passed an oral examination. Following this, he or she is then required to maintain certification through case submissions, continuing medical education and written examinations. This rigorous process ensures that those who identify themselves as a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery are held to the highest standards of patient safety, patient satisfaction and ethical behavior.

Will my liposuction be performed in your office or in a hospital?

Most lipectomies (liposuction) can be performed in our Westerville / Columbus, Ohio office which is located next to Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital. Our office has a fully equipped operating room that is certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilitates (AAAASF) and is fully compliant. Procedures in the office are performed with twilight sedation and local anesthesia. Regional anesthesia (epidural catheters or spinal anesthesia) is performed as needed by a qualified nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist. Most of our cosmetic procedures are performed in our facility which keeps your experience private and in the company of our staff with whom you will have already become accustomed.

Dr. Robert Houser, board certified plastic surgeon. Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery of Columbus Ohio Inc. Our Westerville, Ohio office is conveniently located for patients in Columbus, Upper Arlington, Dublin, Worthington, Powell, New Albany, Granville, and all of the Central Ohio / Franklin / Delaware county area.