There are many liposuction surgery techniques. Some obsolete ones such as Dry Techniques (where local anaesthesia is not injected into the fat before liposuction surgery) are no longer deemed safe. One of the most internationally recognised and of high standard liposuction methods is the Tumescent Technique, where local anaesthesia is injected into the subcutaneous fat area before the liposuction surgery.
VASER Liposuction, also called LipoSelection, is an alternative ultrasonic-assisted liposuction. Since its launch in 2008, VASER Lipo has become one of the most popular body contouring procedures in Singapore. VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. It utilises ultrasound technology to create vibrations that break down fat cells, leaving other major tissues undisturbed. Tumescent fluid (a concoction of lidocaine and saline) is infiltrated into the areas to be treated for the patient's comfort. VASER Lipo also stimulates collagen, allowing skin retraction after liposuction. This technique causes lesser bleeding, bruising and faster patient recovery.
VASER Lipo was introduced to Singapore by Dr Ivan Puah, Medical Director of Amaris B. Clinic and two other doctors. It utilises the assistance of patented ultrasonic sound wave technology to liquefy the stubborn fat tissues, which will then be suctioned out, resulting in smooth body contouring results.
Doctors who want to perform VASER Lipo have to undergo the required training to be VASER Certified. Dr Ivan Puah, has undergone training in body sculpting and VASER® Fundamental and Advanced Body Sculpting in the USA and Argentina. He is accredited by the Ministry Of Health Singapore to perform liposuction and has been performing liposuction since 2005.
Smart Lipo (Laser-assisted Liposuction) is a minimally-invasive fat reduction procedure that uses a specific laser wavelength and pulse shape to melt away localised fat deposits in specific face and body areas under local anaesthesia. It is especially used on delicate areas like the cheeks, double chin, upper arms, inner thighs, knees, back, and upper abdomen.
Liposuction can be performed on multiple body areas. These include the chest, arms, waist, hips, stomach, back, buttocks, and thighs - provided that the candidate is suitable for the treatment.
Your BMI must be between 17 and 28.
You have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone.
You are healthy and do not have a life-threatening illness or with no underlying medical condition that can impair healer.
You have a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for fat removal with liposuction.
You are not pregnant.
You have a realistic expectation of liposuction.
Small, blunt-tipped tubes (cannula) are inserted through tiny insertions in the skin during treatment. The cannula suctions excess fat out as it is being moved around under the skin targetting specific fat deposits. Liposuction treatment is done under local anaesthetic.
Depending on the number of areas to be treated, the treatment generally takes between 1 to 3 hours.
As with any forms of surgery, liposuction carries its risks and side effects alongside its benefits. The doctor should provide sound advice and counselling on the possible complications of this surgery before the patient makes a decision to proceed.
Liposuction is a surgical fat removal surgery that permanently removes localised subcutaneous fat deposits.
If you gain a considerable amount of weight, such as 10kg, new fat cells can develop. If you gain a small amount of weight, the existing fat cells will merely get bigger from the new fat accumulation. The existing fat cells can shrink again when one goes on a diet or exercise the consumed calories away.
You can expect some swelling on the treated areas, and it may take 3 to 6 months for the final results to set in. During the consultation, our doctor will discuss in details with you on expected results, before the procedure as well as throughout the aftercare appointments.
As with any surgery, small incision scars are expected with liposuction.
The ideal candidate for liposuction should, among other things, possess firm elastic skin and pockets of excess fat tissues.
Personal comfort and assurance are utmost important so make sure that the doctor is able to answer and address all your queries and alleviate your concerns.
Regardless of speciality, doctors who would like to perform liposuction have to be accredited by Ministry Of Health Singapore.
It is highly recommended that you do your best to maintain your weight after treatment. As our body does not produce new fat cells after puberty, results are more or less permanent. If you do put on weight, it won’t be noticeable if the amount is insignificant. Changes to treated areas are usually more notable with a 3 to 4 kg weight gain.
Liposuction is NOT a means for weight loss. Patients should not expect the needle on the weighing scale to dip after their liposuction surgery, although you will still see a slimmer silhouette and an improved appearance.
Fat is distributed all over the body proportionately when you gain weight, with more fat being distributed to areas that have not been treated with liposuction.
If no weight is gained after the liposuction surgery, there will not be any fat build-up in the treated area. Do note that liposuction cannot retard the ageing process, it is natural for the fat pockets to change as one gets older. Nonetheless, the liposuction result will still be evident despite the ageing process.
In Singapore, liposuction is strictly regulated by the Ministry of Health Singapore. It is stipulated in the regulations to all doctors performing liposuction that the maximum amount of fat volume removed per patient per surgical session cannot exceed 2 litres. Any amount greater than 2 litres removed in a single procedure can result in a higher risk of complications. It is best to stagger the procedure schedule for those who require more fat removal.
Liposuction provides a more natural-looking result than a typical tummy tuck, especially for those who are seeking treatment for the postpartum tummy. While results are instant, most patients will appreciate their post-liposuction results within 3 to 6 months post-surgery. For the first few weeks after your liposuction surgery, there may be swelling. The doctor's liposuction skills and technique, as well as his post-op care advice, play a vital role in regards to how fast the swelling will subside.
Liposuction will be carried out in our MOH-accredited Operating Theatre. At Amaris B. Clinic, general anaesthesia is discouraged as we care for your safety. Our panel of anesthesiologists will take care of you during the surgery while you are under twilight sedation (light sedation) to ensure that you are comfortable, relaxed and safe. Dr Ivan Puah will perform the procedure with the assistance of a trained and competent surgical team. Post-surgery, you will be taken care of by the medical team on duty until you are well enough for discharge.
Although liposuction results in substantial improvements, it is not a solution for weight loss or obesity.
Although liposuction can provide very substantial improvement, it is not a weight loss technique or a solution for obesity. It is also not recommended for those with excessive or bulging areas of skin.
Modern liposuction technique uses very small cannulas, which requires only small incisions to be made. As a result, scarring is minimal and will improve with time.
Tissue swelling may take a longer time to subside on the treated area if you don't wear a compression garment after liposuction. This will, in turn, prolong the duration of your recovery.
Costs for Liposuction Surgery in Singapore varies between different practices. Although the cost of liposuction surgery is an essential factor when considering liposuction surgery, the quality of result and your safety are far more critical than the cost itself. The price is tagged to two main factors:
Experience of the doctor
A truly experienced liposuction doctor must have performed numerous liposuction procedures and is able to address the needs and complications that come with each patient. The doctor of your choice must be one who has achieved desirable results for his patients consistently. Always ask for before-and-after photos during your consultation to see the doctor's portfolio to gauge your own liposuction success.
Complexity of surgery
Liposuction is not just about removing unwanted fat. A doctor's skill sets and his eyes for aesthetics are vital to create that desired natural-looking face or body contour. Each face and body part is different and requires experienced hands to sculpt positive cosmetic results.
With more than 15 years of clinical experience in VASER Lipo, Dr. Ivan Puah has designed his unique body sculpting approach, called MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique. This unique liposuction technique removes the melted fat while sculpting the body. With his MDC-Sculpt® Lipo technique, it allows thorough fat removal on the area, which will constitute a more desirable cosmetic outcome as the scarring is reduced to the bare minimum.
Choosing a liposuction doctor based on the lowest price may actually cost you more in the end. You may need to find another doctor to correct the potentially botched or less-than desirable results.
Some of the most common undesirable outcomes of liposuction cases that Dr Ivan Puah has corrected in his years of practice are:
1. Incomplete liposuction work with the majority of fat in the treated area still present
2. Excessive liposuction that has produced a disfigured or unnatural result
3. Uneven, irregular and unsightly depressions on the skin of the treated area
4. Large, dark and even dented liposuction scars and folds
The best way to keep your liposuction results is to maintain an ideal weight. Adopt these healthy lifestyle tips by Dr Ivan Puah:
• Eat the rainbows. Include fruits and vegetables from each colour group so that you get the essential nutrients and vitamins your body needs.
• Don't eat more than you should. Keep the snacks away when you are working or watching TV. Most often, you eat because you are bored.
• Eat less but eat more protein and healthy carbs.
• Move. Your body burns calories even when you sleep, so move more to burn more!
At Amaris B. Clinic, aftercare plays a significant role not only to assist you with faster recovery but also to ensure optimum results. After your liposuction treatment, we offer a bespoke aftercare program designed to help with the healing process.
Our medical director, Dr Ivan Puah has undergone training in body sculpting and VASER® advanced body sculpting in the USA. He is accredited by Ministry Of Health Singapore to perform liposuction.
We carefully assess your clinical condition and tailor the treatment to your expectations.
Call us and book your consultation for a more defined physique today.