VASER Liposuction (Ultrasound Assisted Lipectomy) of the Abdomen in Newcastle NSW
VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) of the abdomen is a day surgery procedure I perform at Maitland Private Hospital to remove localised fat from the abdominal wall, with the flanks treated in the same session where suitable.
It uses ultrasound energy to loosen fat before it is removed through small incisions. It treats fat only, not loose skin, and suits patients at a stable weight with good skin recoil. For a full explanation of the procedure, candidacy and technique, see my liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) overview.
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Is This the Right Procedure for Your Presentation?
VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) of the abdomen is designed for a specific presentation: localised subcutaneous fat on the abdominal wall, with or without the flanks, in a patient at a stable weight whose skin still has good recoil. During your consultation I assess your skin quality, the distribution of your abdominal fat and your abdominal muscles to confirm this is the appropriate operation for you.
Two points matter here. First, liposuction is not a weight loss method. It removes localised fat deposits; it does not treat overall body weight, and I do not offer it for that purpose. Second, liposuction can only remove subcutaneous fat, the layer that sits between the skin and the abdominal muscles. Visceral fat, which sits inside the abdominal cavity around the organs, cannot be removed by any form of liposuction. If most of your abdominal fullness is visceral, this procedure will not treat it.
If you have loose or excess abdominal skin, stretch marks, or separation of the abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), often after pregnancy or significant weight loss, liposuction alone is unlikely to give you the result you are looking for and may make skin laxity more noticeable. In these presentations, an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is usually the more appropriate operation, and I will tell you this directly at your consultation.
What the Procedure Involves
- Performed under general anaesthetic as day surgery at Maitland Private Hospital, so you go home the same day.
- The abdomen, and the flanks where they are being treated, are infiltrated with fluid containing local anaesthetic. This reduces bleeding and helps with pain relief after surgery.
- A thin ultrasound probe is passed through small incisions to loosen the fat from the surrounding tissue before removal.
- The loosened fat is then removed with fine suction cannulas through the same small incisions, which are placed where they are least noticeable.
- The abdomen and flanks are treated as one unit where suitable, so the treated area blends into the surrounding contour rather than stopping at an artificial line.
- No drains are needed for standalone abdominal liposuction.
- A compression garment is fitted before you leave hospital and worn as directed while the treated area settles.
Why Come and See Me?
I am Dr Bernard Beldholm, a FRACS Specialist Surgeon, and body contouring surgery is the focus of my practice. I have used VASER (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) for more than 10 years and performed liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) for more than 15 years, both as a standalone procedure and within larger body contouring operations, and the abdomen and flanks are among the areas I treat most often.
Just as important as the surgery itself is how you are looked after around it. Your first consultation with me runs for approximately one hour, and if you need more time to think or have further questions, a second consultation is included at no cost. Telehealth appointments are available if you are travelling from outside the Hunter region. After surgery, your follow-up is included in your surgical fee: I review you intensively through the first two weeks, then at four weeks, three months, six months and twelve months, so that any concerns are picked up and dealt with early. You are cared for by the same team from your first appointment through to your final review.
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Risks and Recovery
All surgery carries risk, and VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) of the abdomen is no exception. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, fluid collection (seroma), contour irregularities of the treated area, altered skin sensation, skin burns from the ultrasound probe, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and risks associated with general anaesthesia. Swelling and bruising of the abdomen and flanks are expected and settle over weeks, and the final contour can take up to six months to become apparent. You will wear a compression garment full time for four weeks, then part time for a further two weeks, and most patients take one to two weeks off work depending on how physical their job is. I explain how I manage each stage in recovering from liposuction and cover the full risk profile in liposuction risks and complications.
Cost and Medicare
Liposuction of the abdomen performed for cosmetic reasons has no Medicare item number, is not covered by private health insurance hospital cover, and GST applies to the fees. You receive a written quote itemising all fees before you make any decision, and I break down what makes up the total in my liposuction cost guide.
Your steps to surgery
1. GP referral
A referral from your GP is required before your first consultation for any cosmetic surgery.
2. Consultation
We spend approximately one hour reviewing your presentation, your health and whether VASER liposuction (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) of the abdomen is the right operation for you. A second consultation is included at no cost.
3. Written quote
You receive a written quote itemising all fees before you make any decision.
4. Prepare for surgery
You complete pre-operative preparation, including any required blood tests, and your anaesthetic consultation, which is usually done by phone.
5. Surgery at Maitland Private Hospital
Your procedure is performed as day surgery, and you go home the same day after a post-operative check.
Recover with structured follow-up
Intensive reviews through the first two weeks, then at four weeks, three months, six months and twelve months, all included in the fee.