MicroAire-assisted liposuction is an advanced surgical technique that offers patients a highly effective and minimally invasive solution for body contouring and fat removal. MicroAire is the device itself, but the method involved is called power-assisted liposuction (PAL). When compared with traditional liposuction, MicroAire causes less damage to the tissue during the procedure, reduces downtime, and results in much less bruising and swelling during recovery.
The device’s quick back-and-forth motion allows surgeons to move in and out of the tissue with ease, allowing them to make more precise movements. If you are dealing with stubborn bulges of fat that don’t seem to change with diet or exercise, there is a permanent solution available.
To learn more about this advanced liposuction technique, schedule your consultation with Dr Grant Hamlet at our state-of-the-art facility in Highgate, London, and call us at 0207 127 4377. Our friendly staff are ready to assist you and help you achieve the ideal body contours you desire. Alternatively, reach out to Dr Hamlet’s clinic through his contact page, and a member of his team will get back to you to address your inquiry.
About Liposuction
No matter which method is utilised, liposuction remains a safe, low-risk procedure that yields incredible results. In a standard liposuction procedure, the surgeon injects a solution of lidocaine as the numbing agent, epinephrine to reduce blood loss, and saline to loosen the fat cells from the surrounding tissue. This solution is called tumescent fluid, and it is used in every liposuction technique. Next, the surgeon uses a cannula to suction fat out of the treatment area, sculpting away unneeded tissue. The cannula is a long, tube-like instrument that enters just beneath the skin</strong>; surgeons make one subcutaneous incision that is less than one inch to access this layer of tissue. Liposuction is the only minimally invasive way of removing fat from the thighs, flanks, midsection, hips, buttocks, back, and upper arms.
Though liposuction was invented in the 1970s, developments in making the procedure more effective have not stopped. Over just the past 12 years, roughly 50 new devices and techniques have been utilised by surgeons to make the procedure safer and more successful. (1)
Benefits of Power-Assisted Liposuction
PAL offers both patients and surgeons a multitude of benefits to look forward to, but most of all, it facilitates a physical and emotional transformation of self-confidence. Here is why you should consider MicroAire, the standard P.A.L. device, to help you achieve the body of your dreams:
- The motion of the MicroAire cannula allows for easier penetration of fibrous fat.
- It can be completed with local anaesthesia and sedation or general anaesthesia.
- It does not produce thermal energy, so there is no risk of subcutaneous burns.
- MicroAire collects less blood than traditional liposuction cannulas.
- It collects about 45% more fat than traditional liposuction cannulas. (2)
- It can be used on any part of the body that needs cosmetic enhancement.
- Since there is less damage to the tissue, patients can expect less downtime.
- With MicroAire, surgeons move the cannula with more ease, reducing the likelihood of fatigue while performing large-volume liposuction.
Candidates
Candidates for MicroAire-assisted liposuction are individuals looking to sculpt any area of their body with excess fat deposits. If you are looking for a liposuction method that can remove fat and create muscular definition, VASER may be the ideal procedure for you. All in all, if you meet these qualifications, you may be able to undergo liposuction in the treatment area of your choosing:
- You are a non-smoker or willing to quit for a few weeks.
- You have maintained a stable weight.
- You don’t have any underlying conditions that could impede your recovery.
- You are realistic about your expectations.
- You understand that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure
Personal Consultation
After your consultation with Dr Hamlet, you will have full knowledge and understanding of whether or not MicroAire-assisted liposuction is right for you. He will outline specific and personalised directions for preparation and recovery to promote the best results possible. As a liposculpture specialist, he will also inform you of the many other options available, including a variation of VASER techniques. You will have the chance to ask questions and address your concerns prior to making any decisions.
If you are ready to take the next step into your aesthetic rejuvenation journey, please call his practice at Highgate Private Hospital at 0207 127 4377, or use his contact form for your convenience. If you are still looking to inform yourself about our available procedures, please read through our blog. We want our patients to feel satisfied and confident with their cosmetic decisions.
Preparation
Dr Hamlet will first fully evaluate your health through blood tests to ensure you can safely undergo the procedure. After assessing your current medications and/or supplements, he will require you to make changes in order to avoid contraindications with liposuction. Specifically, he will require that you stop taking anti-inflammatory medications and blood thinners to prevent the risk of excess blood loss or bruising.
Though Dr. Hamlet prefers non-smoking patients, he will consider those who are willing to quit for a short duration before and after their procedure. This will allow the body to optimise its blood circulation, contributing to a faster rate of recovery. You should also make arrangements with someone who will be able to safely drive you home on the day of your procedure, since the effects of anaesthesia may affect your ability to drive. Finally, before leaving for your procedure appointment, you should wear comfortable clothing that won’t be difficult to change out of on your first day of recovery.
Recovery
Bruising, swelling, and soreness are the most commonly reported and normal after-effects of liposuction. Dr. Hamlet will order prescription medications to treat your discomfort, but many patients take doctor-approved over-the-counter options as they continue to recover. You should wear a compression garment for 2 to 6 weeks in order to control the swelling of the treatment area and to promote the most aesthetically pleasing contours. Depending on your area of liposuction, you will have to stay home from work for 1 to 2 weeks. During the first week, you should work on resting as much as possible. Dr. Hamlet will provide you with more aftercare instructions and expertise that will allow you to watch out for risks associated with liposuction, such as infection. You may have to abstain from strenuous work or activities for up to 6 weeks. After this, your symptoms should be completely resolved and your full results will have settled in.
The Purpose of Compression Garments
The main reason compression garments are prescribed after liposuction is to minimise swelling, but they serve to promote better skin retraction, and reduce the risk of seroma (a condition in which serous fluid from the body’s cavities builds up in one area under the skin), and even prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a rare occurrence in which a blood clot enters a vein.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
VASER Liposuction
Both VASER liposuction and VASER Hi-Def are two highly advanced liposuction techniques that incorporate the power of ultrasound waves. For ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), Dr. Hamlet uses a VASER probe to break apart fat tissues prior to emulsification and suction. The precision of this device allows patients to heal with less discomfort and bruising. (3) VASER Hi-Def is specially designed so that doctors can strategically leave small fat deposits around musculature to enhance their definition.
Cost of MicroAire-Assisted Liposuction in London
The cost of your MicroAire-Assisted liposuction procedure will depend on the size of the liposuction area, the extent of the procedure, surgical fees, anaesthesia fees, and follow-up appointments. After a careful review of all of these factors involved, we will provide you with a total cost estimate during your consultation. If you are interested in a more affordable treatment plan, please visit our financing options page.
FAQ
Can MicroAire-assisted liposuction be performed on any area of the body?
Yes, it can be performed on any area of the body with some customizations of the cannula. The cannula diameter can range from 2.4 to 5 mm. Their lengths range from 15 to 40 cm. Each type is specialised for different parts of the body and equipped to collect different amounts of fat.
Does MicroAire-assisted liposuction require general anaesthesia?
Depending on the treatment area and your own preference, this type of liposuction can be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia.
Is MicroAire-assisted liposuction more effective than VASER?
MicroAire-assisted liposuction isn’t necessarily better than VASER, but it can remove more fat.
How long has MicroAire-assisted liposuction been used by surgeons?
Power-assisted liposuction has been used by surgeons for over 25 years and was developed around the same time as ultrasonic liposuction.
References
- Beidas OE, Gusenoff JA. Update on Liposuction: What All Plastic Surgeons Should Know. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2021;147(4):658e668e. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000007419
- Codazzi D, Bruschi S, Robotti E, Bocchiotti MA. Power-Assisted Liposuction (P.A.L.) Fat Harvesting for Lipofilling: The Trap Device. World journal of plastic surgery. 2015;4(2):177-179. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4537612/
- Ruff PG, Garcia O, Nykiel M, Galanis CJ. Consensus-based Recommendations for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction. Plastic and reconstructive surgery Global open. 2023;11(7):e5110-e5110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005110
