Liposuction remains one of the most popular body contouring procedures at Centre for Surgery. Our surgeons carry out hundreds of liposuction procedures each year. One of the most common questions we get asked is about choosing the most effective type of liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits anywhere on the body. There is no single technique for liposuction, and many techniques and technologies are available in the UK.
RELATED: SAFE Liposuction vs VASER Liposuction
Patients often conduct extensive online research and are often faced with bewildering information about liposuction and the many ways it can be performed. Our practice philosophy is always to choose clinically proven advanced technologies that often help the surgeon complete the procedure without becoming tired. Liposuction can be a physically demanding procedure, and there are now techniques that gently extract fat whilst preventing the surgeon’s arms from becoming fatigued. Both expertise and surgical technique are essential factors in getting the best liposuction results. Our liposuction surgeons are highly experienced in performing liposuction on many areas, including the abdomen, thighs, and hips.
At Centre for Surgery, our plastic surgeons are experts in the SAFElipo liposuction technique. It is essential to distinguish the differences between SAFELipo and VASER Lipo as SAFElipo is a surgical technique, and VASER lipo is a technology.
What is SAFELipo?
SAFELipo is our preferred technique for carrying out all types of liposuction, including fat grafting and fat transfer. SAFE is an acronym which stands for the three key processes which make up the SAFELipo procedure:
- Separation – ‘S’
- Aspiration – ‘A’
- Fat Equalisation – ‘FE’
These three steps are designed to address inherent problems with traditional liposuction, ensuring risks are kept to a minimum and patients achieve the best possible results. There are several recognised side effects of any liposuction procedure, including skin rippling or visible dimpling due to uneven fat removal. The SAFELipo technique utilises similar liposuction processes, including the injection of local anaesthetic and power-assisted liposuction (PAL lipo) and adds an extra two steps.
RELATED: What is SAFElipo?
The first step of SAFE liposuction involves making tiny incisions through the skin to allow the insertion of specialised cannulas with an expanded tip resembling a lantern. This cannula can vibrate at high speed, facilitating the gentle separation of subcutaneous fat from adjacent connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. Once this step is complete, the fat cells should be efficiently detached from their attachments, facilitating the second step, which involves aspiration. The aspiration step consists of using more delicate cannulas with smaller diameters for the gentle removal of fat to minimise common liposuction side effects of bruising and swelling, and to avoid any localised damage to the connective tissue framework under the skin.
The final step of SAFELipo is fat equalisation, which involves evening out and redistributing any residual fat to reduce the risk of skin irregularities or an uneven distribution. By eliminating contour abnormalities, SAFE Lipo can yield beautiful, natural-looking results when performed by an experienced surgeon.
What is VASER Liposuction?
VASER Lipo is a third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction technology and is not a specific liposuction technique. VASER Lipo utilises high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to break up fat into smaller globules. VASER technology is designed to detach and separate fat cells from surrounding supporting tissue, which is thought to result in minimal risk of bruising, bleeding, and tissue damage. The result may mean a faster recovery for patients who have VASER Lipo.
RELATED: What is Vaser liposuction?
Why is SAFELipo the best type of liposuction?
At Centre for Surgery London, all our surgeons are trained in the safe Lipo technique combined with power-assisted liposuction, which is a heat-free technique, unlike VASER liposuction, which eliminates the risk of excessive scarring or skin burns.
RELATED: What is Lipo 360?
360 SAFELipo is commonly used to address many undesirable complications caused by other types of liposuction, including VASER Lipo and laser liposuction. Many patients come to us having developed unsightly contour irregularities from having VASER Lipo performed elsewhere and now require revision liposuction using the SAFELipo technique.
VASER Lipo carries several unwanted complications, which include not only contour irregularities but also seroma formation. A seroma is a localised collection of fluid that forms beneath the skin, often in the space where fat has been removed. Seromas are very characteristic of patients who have VASER Lipo, and in cases where these go untreated, the risk of developing skin complications increases considerably. You should now know clearly the difference between liposuction technology (VASER Lipo) and a liposuction technique (SAFELipo). VASER Lipo is simply a type of liposuction device, whereas SAFELipo is a specialist surgical technique experienced surgeons use for precision body contouring. SAFELipo has a favourable side-effect profile and a satisfaction rate of over 95% among patients who have had the procedure with us.
RELATED: Is Liposuction Permanent?
The number of liposuction devices continues to increase yearly, with each device claiming several advantages for the surgeon. We believe devices should be designed with the patient in mind, optimising safety and the ability to achieve consistent, effective results. Getting the best liposuction results depends primarily on the surgeon, not the equipment itself. It is fair to say that a good surgeon can generate great results with any liposuction device.
If you are considering liposuction in London, we recommend choosing the best liposuction surgeon and a clinic committed to maintaining the highest medical standards throughout your patient journey. If you want to learn more about SAFELipo, please call us on 020 7993 4849 to book an in-depth liposuction consultation with one of our expert body contouring surgeons in London. Our surgeons love meeting new patients and are committed to providing you with the best liposuction experience possible.
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