Mark D. Epstein, MD discusses how the tissue-selective
VASER Lipo 2.0 technology has improved technique and
patient satisfaction in his New York practice.
Even the most fit, active patients can have frustrations with cellulite, stubborn areas
that seem out of proportion with the rest of their bodies, or concerns about body
contours. While there have long been lipoplasty procedures that address the
removal of larger fat deposits, options for contouring and detail work have been
limited.
With the minimally invasive, FDA-cleared VASER Lipo 2.0, I’m not only able to
remove larger fat deposits for rapid debulking, but I can also perform detailed
procedures to accentuate select body parts, even in delicate and fibrous areas.
The VASER Lipo 2.0 System is so gentle that the harvested fat is preserved and
viable, enabling autologous fat transfer procedures. This gives me a new tool: I can
take the fat I remove and use it to add volume to areas of the body deficient of
volume such as augmentation of the buttocks, male pectoral muscles, and even the
face.
Gentle Ultrasonic Technology: Improved Results, Better Harvested Cell
Viability
I’ve been using the VASER Lipo System in my practice for more than six years, and
was extremely happy with the procedure compared to traditional lipoplasty. Last
year, I upgraded to the newest version of the system—VASER Lipo 2.0.
VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance, or
ultrasonic energy. VASER Lipo 2.0 is an advanced body contouring technology that
uses this gentle ultrasonic energy to selectively target and dislodge unwanted fat
cells from the tissue matrix, for safe and easy aspiration without damage to
important connective tissue.
The gentle energy of VASER Lipo helps to maintain viability of more than 80% of fat
cells for autologous fat transfer. This fatty tissue is reduced to small cell packets, less
than 1mm in size, for a smoother consistency. This small packet size allows for easy
revascularization when re-injected, giving more predictable, long-lasting results.
This harvested fat is like liquid gold, opening the doors for more detailed work at
the procedure site. I can enhance areas of poorly defined contour or take down
areas of excessive contour. I can even use the harvested fat to volumize or contour
elsewhere in the body, with long-lasting results and little chance of allergic reaction.
Treatment and Techniques
The VASER Lipo System is one compact, easy-to-maneuver unit, ideal for procedures
performed in the office or on an outpatient basis in a surgery center or hospital.
VASER Lipo can be performed while the patient is awake, or under general
anesthesia. The treatment area is filled with a special saline solution that numbs the
site and constricts blood vessels while temporarily expanding the volume of the
area. Using a series of thin probes, ultrasound energy breaks apart the fat while
preserving the surrounding tissue.
Specially designed suction tubes remove the emulsified fluids using precise suction
pressure. As gentler suction influences the viability of harvested fat, I can monitor
suction levels on the digital display to prevent damage and preserve the integrity of
the fat for later use in grafting.
VASER Lipo 2.0 offers a wide range of probes and cannulas to meet each physician’s
specific contouring needs and ergonomic preferences. Solid titanium probes come in
four different diameters with varying groove patterns to best treat a wide variety of
body contouring scenarios, giving me many tools in my sculpting toolbox.
The VASERsmooth probes are specifically designed for the challenges of working
with hardened fibrous septae. The fragmentation edge of the VASERsmooth probe
can be used to strategically target the septae responsible for the irregular skin
appearance, reducing the dimpling so common with cellulite.
A Broad Range of Treatment Areas
VASER Lipo 2.0 can handle a broad range of treatment areas, from larger-scale
debulking in the hips, waist, thighs, back, buttocks and arms, to more detailed
sculpting of the abdomen, ankles, chin and face.
Because the gentle ultrasonic energy reduces the damage to the surrounding tissue
matrix, there is less postoperative pain and bruising, and faster patient recovery.
Continuing Education Leads to Improved Results
I have always sought to learn the most that I can from experts in my field through
fellowships and continuing education. In conjunction with the upgrade to VASER
Lipo 2.0, I traveled to Colombia to learn new VASER Hi Def sculpting techniques
from Dr. Alfredo Hoyos, a master in the field. Dr. Hoyos opened my eyes to the true
versatility and capability of the VASER Lipo 2.0, resulting in a dramatic acceleration
in my learning curve.
With VASER Hi Def techniques I can now create a sculpted, athletic appearance by
selectively removing fat around muscle groups to give a more defined appearance.
The techniques that I learned deliver results that are light years ahead of what I was
able to do before.
Safe and Effective Procedures = Referrals from Happy Patients
More than 350,000 VASER Lipo procedures have been performed worldwide, with
low complication rates. In my practice, my patients have seen excellent results, with
hardly any adverse reactions. I’m also seeing better first-time results: improved skin
retraction, smooth contours in all body areas, and much less bruising and
discomfort.
There is no better compliment than a patient referral. My patients have always been
happy with the results that could be achieved with the VASER Lipo System, but since
the upgrade to VASER Lipo 2.0 and my training in Bogota, I’ve seen a dramatic
increase in patient referrals. My patients are sending in friends and family members
to try VASER Lipo for themselves. I’m extremely pleased with what the VASER Lipo
2.0 system has been able to do for both my patients and my practice.