OUR LIPOSUCTION SERVICES
VASER LIPOSUCTION
VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. It is a method of liposuction that uses sound waves to loosen up dense fat deposits before they are removed. This a form of power assisted liposuction (see below).
FAT TRANSFER
Fat Transfer, also called Fat Grafting or Lipofilling is a method of transplanting fat cells removed during liposuction to another part of the body. Most commonly done on the face, but it can also be used for the breasts, buttocks or even to correct defects created by previous liposuction anywhere in the body.
Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures, and there are many named methods of liposuction.
For this discussion, I will divide liposuction into either “non-power assisted” or “power assisted” techniques.
NON-POWER ASSISTED
This is the “Traditional Liposuction” where fat cells are sucked out of the body by a cannula connected to a suction device. The force of the pump as well as the elbow movements determines how much fat is removed. Large areas can be treated in a short period of time. But an element of exhaustion on the part of the surgeon can sometimes affect the results. Under good hands, the results can be very even and trauma to the surround tissues quite minimal. As with all things, but particularly in liposuction, the learning curve is steep and long. It is easy to do (liposuction is techincally not difficult), but it is hard to do it well.
POWER ASSISTED
There are many power-assisted liposuction techniques. Some use a vibrating tip, while others use a jet of water or ultrasound. All with the aim of easing the surgeon’s job of having to suck out large areas of fat.
Second generation machines incorporate mechanised tips to assist in liposuction. Third generation machines add one more step between the tumescent anaesthesia and the suction. It breaks up the fat either with a jet of water or with ultrasound like in Vaser before the loosened fat is sucked out.
Vaser selectively loosens up fat deposits using high-frequency sound waves prior to suction . The loosening up of fats makes the job of sucking out large areas easier. As such, there is less force needed during suction and hence less trauma to the surrounding tissues. Recovery time is hence less.
The precision of the Vaser probes also means that it can even be used to treat very close to the skin for skin retraction. This allows loose skin to tighten up after Vaser. This ability to remove fats close to the skin also gave rise to Vaser HD.
Smartlipo is also a third generation liposuction technique. But it is in a class of its own because the fat cells are actually destroyed, albeit very slowly and very little. With the fat cells destroyed, there is actually no need for suction anymore. In its purest form, no suction is needed. The destroyed fats are absorbed into the lymphatic system. When suction is applied after Smartlipo, it is actually a hybrid “Smartlipo/Traditional Liposuction.”
At this point we would like to dispel a common misconception that Vaser is the best form of liposuction. The best form of liposuction could be by any method, traditional or power assisted. What is most important is the surgeon’s experience and skill, and also what tool he/she is most comfortable with.
POWER ASSISTED
There are many power-assisted liposuction techniques. Some use a vibrating tip, while others use a jet of water or ultrasound. All with the aim of easing the surgeon’s job of having to suck out large areas of fat.
Second generation machines incorporate mechanised tips to assist in liposuction. Third generation machines add one more step between the tumescent anaesthesia and the suction. It breaks up the fat either with a jet of water or with ultrasound like in Vaser before the loosened fat is sucked out.
VASER
Vaser selectively loosens up fat deposits using high-frequency sound waves prior to suction . The loosening up of fats makes the job of sucking out large areas easier. As such, there is less force needed during suction and hence less trauma to the surrounding tissues. Recovery time is hence less.
VASER HD
The precision of the Vaser probes also means that it can even be used to treat very close to the skin for skin retraction. This allows loose skin to tighten up after Vaser. This ability to remove fats close to the skin also gave rise to Vaser HD.
SMARTLIPO
Smartlipo is also a third generation liposuction technique. But it is in a class of its own because the fat cells are actually destroyed, albeit very slowly and very little. With the fat cells destroyed, there is actually no need for suction anymore. In its purest form, no suction is needed. The destroyed fats are absorbed into the lymphatic system. When suction is applied after Smartlipo, it is actually a hybrid “Smartlipo/Traditional Liposuction.”
At this point we would like to dispel a common misconception that Vaser is the best form of liposuction. The best form of liposuction could be by any method, traditional or power assisted. What is most important is the surgeon’s experience and skill, and also what tool he/she is most comfortable with.
Wish to find out if you can benefit from Liposuction?
Contact us to set an appointment with Dr David Loh
THE TUMESCENT TECHNIQUE
This is NOT another technique of liposuction. It is an anaesthesia technique that is widely used in traditional and power-assisted liposuctions. By infusing a solution containing xylocaine, adrenaline and buffered saline into the areas to be treated, the anaesthesia can also minimize bleeding. Very large area of fat can then be treated only under sedation. The tumescent technique gave rise to Office-Based Liposuction. Liposuction in a clinic setting as opposed to having it done in a hospital.
6 THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT LIPOSUCTION
- Liposuction by any method, not just Vaser Liposuction, is useful to sculpt areas of disproportion so that your body’s curves flow harmoniously.
- The belly, the love handles, the out thighs (saddle bags) and the arms are common areas that are treated. But almost anywhere on the face and body can be treated as well. Including the cheeks, the area under the chin right down to the calves.
- Liposuction is no useful for weight reduction. There are methods other than just diet and exercise, which I understand is hard, to effectively reduce body weight. Please come and discuss.
- Liposuction results are not dependent, contrary to what you read on the internet, on the various technologies. The best results are dependent on the surgeon’s skills and experience. Regardless of the tool he/she uses.
- The compression garment that is prescribed after the procedure merely helps with reducing swelling and discomfort. The compression garment does not determine the final results.
- The recovery time is relatively comfortable. Our patients are active and mobile the very next day. They go about running errands and sometimes even work.
DR DAVID LOH
Treatments to Improve Loose Skin After Liposuction
If a patient is not properly assessed by an experienced aesthetic surgeon prior to the procedure, the removal of fat can lead to a deflation of area that is not in proportion with the rest of the body, causing a significant reduction in skin elasticity. This results in poor liposuction outcomes due to the post-operation skin not draping properly, which presents as loose skin and stretch marks.
Read more about Liposuction with our add-on skin tightening procedures here
DR DAVID LOH
Dr David Loh
Founder
Dr. David Loh founded David Loh Surgery in 2002, during the early days of Aesthetic Medicine. He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the National University of Singapore and has over 30 years of clinical experience, with more than 20 years dedicated to aesthetics.
Dr Loh is Accredited by MOH to perform liposuction. He is best known as a regional trainer for BTX and Dermal Fillers. He has published extensively on injection techniques and the management of serious complications, with one of his papers awarded a Gold Medal by the PRS Global Journal. His contributions to the field include serving as the immediate past President of the Society of Aesthetic Medicine in Singapore.