A botched Hi-Def Liposuction can impact the patient's well-being & mental health. Here are the common complications to look out for & what to do about it.
December 20, 2024
Table of Contents
Many of us deal with problem areas of stubborn fat. Even if we exercise regularly and watch our diet, pesky deposits can still find their way to our arms, thighs, tummy or hips (think bingo wings, love handles, stomach bulge and muffin top). And often, they just won't budge!
Thankfully, there's Vaser Liposuction, a popular body contouring procedure in Singapore, which Dr Ivan Puah has been performing since 2007.
VASER (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) liposuction, developed by two plastic surgeons, Dr John Millard and Dr Alfredo Hoyos, is a liposuction technique that utilises the assistance of ultrasound energy.
What Is Vaser Liposuction, And What Does It Do?
VASER (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) Liposuction is a gentler and less invasive liposuction technique than traditional liposuction. It eliminates unwanted fat, but it does so in a gentler manner by utilising ultrasound energy to selectively fragment fat tissues and liquefy unwanted fat cells in targeted areas. The result is a more contoured and defined appearance.
How Does Vaser Liposuction Work?
01. Infiltration
Vaser Liposuction is a form of ultrasonic-assisted liposuction performed under local anaesthesia. This fat removal procedure utilises ultrasound energy to gently break down unwanted fat tissues.
Firstly, tumescent fluid, a special mixture of lidocaine and saline used in liposuction to increase comfort and aid in faster recovery, is infiltrated to numb the targeted area and shrink the blood vessels.
02. Ultrasound Delivery
Following that, a probe which emits high ultrasonic frequency is inserted to expand and contract the air bubbles within the tumescent fluid. The probe oscillates at 36,000 times ultrasonic soundwave per second, separating fat tissues from other connective tissues.
Even though the probe moves at a fast speed, it does not disturb the veins, arteries, and other connective tissues. The fat cells remain intact during this process so they can be harvested and grafted into other parts of the face and body to fill in the loss of volume in the cheeks, breasts and buttocks.
03. Aspiration (Fat Removal)
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Once the fat is emulsified, Dr Ivan Puah will carefully suction the liquified fat and carry out body contouring. Unlike traditional liposuction, which is more intrusive, Vaser Liposuction is gentle on the body. It breaks down fat cells while leaving other important connective tissues relatively undisturbed; hence the incidence of tissue injuries is significantly reduced.
04. Skin Retraction
Vaser Liposuction can safely and reliably remove fat, contour the targeted area, and promote skin tightening.
How Does Vaser Liposuction Differ From Traditional Liposuction?
Much Lesser Blood Loss With Vaser Liposuction
Traditional liposuction removes fat through avulsion, which can damage surrounding tissue.
Minimal Damage To Surrounding Tissues With Vaser Liposuction
Vaser Liposuction is a form of ultrasonic-assisted liposuction. It utilises patented ultrasound energy to emulsify the fat before removal via suction, thus minimising the risks of damage to surrounding connective tissues.
More Sculpted Results With Vaser Liposuction
Vaser Liposuction selectively targets only fat tissues, allowing Dr Ivan Puah to carve a shapelier silhouette. Vaser Liposuction also retracts the skin, allowing the skin to take the new body shape without any loss of elasticity.
Vaser Liposuction Has Minimal Downtime As Compared To Traditional Lipo
Vaser Liposuction is a less traumatic procedure as compared to traditional liposuction. Although swelling and bruising are expected, most patients can manage post-surgery discomfort and pain.
Vaser Liposuction in Singapore
Is Vaser Liposuction Suitable for me?
Vaser Liposuction is suitable for both women and men who are in good health, with localised area of fat that does not respond to diet and exercise.
Who Should Not Have Vaser Liposuction?
Pregnant women are not allowed to carry out Vaser Liposuction. In all other cases, patients with medical concerns or conditions will need to consult the doctor on the suitability of this procedure.
At Amaris B. Clinic, patient health and safety are our priorities. During the initial consultation, Dr Ivan Puah will assess the patient's health status, understand his/her medical history, and conduct a physical examination and a psychological evaluation. Patients who present with serious underlying medical issues and who are psychologically unstable will not be suitable for the procedure.
Which Body Parts Can Vaser Liposuction Target?
The body parts that Vaser liposuction is commonly performed on are:
- Face
- Double Chin
- Arms (Upper Arms) & Armpits
- Female Breasts (Only Fat Reduction, Not Full Mastectomy)
- Outer Thighs
- Inner Thighs
- Knees
- Upper - Mid Back
- Muffin Top (Abdomen Or Stomach)
- Love Handles (Waist)
- Enlarged Male Breasts (Gynecomastia) - Fat Removal
- Pseudogynecomastia
- Calves And Ankles
- Upper Back
- Lower Back
Vaser Liposuction can also treat medical conditions such as lipedema, a 'painful fat' disease.
Does Vaser Liposuction Hurt?
Vaser Liposuction in Singapore can be performed under local anaesthetic. Post-surgery, you may feel a tad discomfort and notice some bruising and swelling, usually associated with any type of surgery, but this will wear off in no time and will not impede your daily activities. It can also be managed with pain relief medication.
How Many Procedures Are Required? How Long Does Each Procedure Take?
Vaser Liposuction is a one-time permanent fat removal procedure. Vaser Liposuction generally takes 1.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the body regions to be treated.
How Much Fat Can Vaser Liposuction Remove?
The amount varies for individuals and the body region to be treated. Dr Ivan Puah will assess the patient's clinical condition and advise accordingly.
How Soon Can I Expect Results?
Results are noticeable immediately after the fat removal is done. However, post-op tissue swelling and bruising (if any) will set in shortly. Dr Ivan Puah and his medical team members will discuss in detail with you the expected result, during your consultation, before the procedure and throughout the aftercare appointments.
What Happens When I Gain Weight After My Vaser Liposuction?
The treated area will remain relatively unchanged if the weight gain is insignificant. It is highly recommended that you do your part to maintain the results. This means adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes adequate physical activity. The procedure removes fat from the targeted body region. However, it only prevents fat gain, especially if you do not take care of your body. It also does not prevent physical body changes due to the normal ageing process.
How Long Will It Take To Recover?
Depending on the extent of the surgery, in general, most patients can return to work in 2-3 days. The recovery process for Vaser Liposuction is quicker than traditional liposuction.
Can Vaser Liposuction Tighten Skin?
One of the several advantages of this procedure is that it stimulates collagen production and tightens skin.
Price For Vaser Liposuction In Singapore
The liposuction doctor's fees are generally based on their experience, skills, and the body regions to be treated. A highly experienced doctor will have completed many procedures, including addressing complex conditions and procedures of the corrective kind. Other charges include the type of anaesthesia used, surgical facility costs, medical tests such as blood tests, post-surgery garments, pre and post-medication, etc.
Choosing an accredited liposuction doctor by the Ministry of Health Singapore, who uses an accredited surgical facility and works with a well-trained surgical support team, is essential.
At Amaris B. Clinic, we provide custom body contouring impeccably tailored to your body type and desired outcome with Vaser Liposuction.
The Vaser Liposuction Procedure
Pre-procedure of Vaser Liposuction
You will be given a list of pre-op instructions to follow. You must follow the do's and don'ts to minimise the risks of possible surgical complications, including stopping or refraining from taking certain drugs/medications.
Abstain from alcohol at least 3 to 5 days before the surgery, and stop smoking for several weeks ahead of time. Patients should be on a stable, healthy, well-balanced diet for at least 2 weeks before the treatment. Liquid diets, extremely low-calorie diets, and rapid weight loss diets may predispose to cardiac irregularities, surgical complications, and poor wound healing.
On The Day Of The Procedure
Please arrange for a family member/friend to pick you up after the procedure. Arrive at the facility with an empty stomach and nothing by mouth for 8 hours pre-op. Do not drink coffee and tea on the day of the procedure. Leave all your jewellery, such as earrings, wedding bands, rings or bracelets, at home. Do not apply any makeup that day, and wear comfortable loose clothing.
Post-procedure
After your Vaser Liposuction, do remember to take it easy for a while. It is advisable to avoid water-based and strenuous activities for 2 weeks. Post-procedural swelling and bruising are expected and will improve with time. It is part of the healing process, as with other surgical procedures. During the consultation, you will know what to expect to alleviate any concerns.
A compression garment is essential in healing, as it helps compress post-op swelling and assist in skin retraction. Do wear your compression garment at all times for 6 to 8 weeks.
What Aftercare Does Vaser Liposuction In Singapore Provide?
At Amaris B. Clinic, aftercare plays a significant role in assisting you with faster recovery and ensuring optimum results. After your liposuction treatment, we offer a bespoke aftercare program designed to help with the healing process.
Where can I go for Vaser Liposuction in Singapore?
Dr Ivan Puah, Your Body Sculpting Doctor
Before you schedule an appointment for Vaser Liposuction in Singapore, it is crucial to not only source credible, experienced and accredited liposuction doctors by the Ministry of Health Singapore. Finding a doctor who can marry science and art is also critical. Finding a liposuction doctor in Singapore with an artistic sense is vital as this will help you achieve your body contouring objective.
Akin to a sculpting artist who creates masterpieces with his chisels, Dr Ivan Puah has the same philosophy regarding liposuction and body sculpting. He holds on to the approach of "70% art and 30% science" to achieve optimal results for his male and female patients - one that is natural-looking and complements their overall physique.
Dr Ivan Puah, Vaser Liposuction Certified Physician & Accredited Liposuction Doctor
Dr Ivan Puah is an accredited liposuction doctor in Singapore with over 17 years of body sculpting experience. He has completed fundamental and advanced body sculpting surgical training conducted by Dr John Millard and Dr Alfredo Hoyos.
Dr Puah is certified to perform Vaser Liposuction, having completed his liposuction training in the United States and Argentina. He is the Chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee in Singapore and has received dedicated surgical training in gynecomastia surgery in the United States of America.
Having trained to perform liposuction is only the beginning. Dr Ivan Puah believes it is crucial to understand and master the technicalities of the procedure, including the potential complications that may arise. To be meticulous in approach, with a detailed overview and foresight capabilities, are essential must-haves for a doctor.
Finding the right doctor with an aesthetic sense is essential in achieving the desired outcome in terms of silhouette and true results. A body sculpting procedure is akin to a work of art in progress. The artist's skill, experience, appreciation and understanding of the body aesthetic separate a masterpiece from an average work.
