You may be considering this treatment If you’ve been struggling to lose weight even through diet and exercise, or there’s one particular part of your body that you’re unhappy with.
We’re the first healthcare provider in the UK to perform this procedure.
Why you might need it
VASER® stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. It uniquely uses sound energy - transmitted through small probes under the skin - to break down fat cells which are then removed by gentle suction. The difference between this technique and traditional liposuction is that it doesn’t require a vacuum pump or large syringe – leading to a quicker recovery time and less pain afterwards.
This technique can be used to remove fat unobtrusively and gently from any part of the body, including the face, neck, arms, buttocks and back.
It's a relatively straightforward procedure that usually takes up to two hours. You'll probably be discharged the same day and you'll be able to return to light activities within a couple of weeks.
Find a Spire hospital offering this treatment
Who will do it?
Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.
All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.
Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.
Before your treatment
You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.
We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.
Preparing for your treatment
We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.
For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.
Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.
The procedure
If you only need small amounts of fat to be removed, then VASER® has the advantage in that usually a local anaesthetic is all that is required and this means that you are awake during the procedure. You’ll be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort.
The surgeon will make a series of small incisions and inject fluid through them, which will be absorbed by the fat.
An ultrasound probe is then inserted – there are different types depending on the part of the body but all are designed to pass easily through body tissues. The probe sends out its ultrasound energy and this starts to liquefy the fat around it.
A small suction pipe is then inserted to remove the fat. Once this is complete the incisions are either covered with dressings or given a small, dissolvable stitch.
Liposuction can be carried out as a single procedure, or in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure. When carried out as a stand-alone procedure, we have limits on the volume of fat and fluid that can be removed, depending on the facilities at your hospital – your surgeon can confirm this. We have an absolute limit of 5 litres of aspirate, only to be removed in centres where we have high dependency or intensive care facilities.
Where liposuction is performed in conjunction with any other cosmetic procedure, our policy is that we will remove no more than a maximum of 2000ml of aspirate (fat and fluid) from all areas combined. With the Fleur-de-Lys abdominoplasty (where a vertical as well as a horizontal incision is made), no liposuction can be performed.
Aftercare
Without a general anaesthetic you should be able to go home the same day but if you were put under for your operation – which may be necessary for larger areas of fat removal - you will need to stay the night.
After this, you will be taken to your room or comfortable area where you can rest and recuperate until we feel you’re ready to go home.
Pain relief
You will probably experience some discomfort afterwards and we will provide you with painkillers for this.
We will provide you with a supply of all the medicines your consultant feels you need to take home with you after you've left hospital, up to 14 days. This may be at an additional cost to some patients.
Recovery time
Your consultant will advise you on how to make your recovery as quick as possible but when you get home you’ll need to take things easy at first.
We will provide you with special compression clothes that you will need to wear over the affected areas. For small areas of the body this may only be necessary for a week but for larger areas it could be up to six weeks.
After minor removal you should be able to return to work after a couple of days but for larger procedures you should take a week off. Avoid strenuous exercise for at least two weeks.
End results
You may have some swelling and bruising but this should disappear after a couple of weeks – though it could take a few months to see the full benefits of this technique. Your surgeon will discuss likely results with you.
How your loved ones can help
Once you’re ready to be discharged from hospital, you’ll need to arrange a taxi, friend or family member to take you home as you won’t be able to drive. You should also ask them if they can run some light errands, such as shopping and cleaning, as you may not feel up to it at first.
Looking after you
Even after you’ve left hospital, we’re still looking after you every step of the way. After treatment our consultants will typically want to see you and we will arrange a follow up date before you leave the hospital.
On rare occasions, complications can occur following surgery. We will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.
If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, we're ready to help.
Why choose Spire?
We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.
Important to note
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.