Dr Roberto Viel has always been a pioneer, being the first person to bring ultrasonic assisted liposuction to the UK, and now his work is being emulated by doctors worldwide. He was kind enough to spend some time with us talking us through the various aspects of liposuction.
What exactly is liposuction?
Put very simply, liposuction is fat removal to reduce localised fat deposits.
What are the different types of liposuction on offer?
Traditional liposuction, liposculpture, power assisted liposuction, water jet liposuction, laser liposuction , ultrasound liposuction, VASER Lipo.
Is VASER lipo the same as ultrasonic assisted lipo (UAL?)
VASER lipo uses the very latest technology, it is the third generation of ultrasound liposculpture. Ultrasound Lipo specifically targets the fat cells, so that the substance that is aspiration is only fat and therefore there is minimal damage to the body. This means there is far less downtime compared to traditional Lipo.
What is the maximum amount of fat you can take out during lipo?
With VASER Lipo there is no specified limit, so I would say, as much as is needed. However, as a safety guideline I would recommend of maximum of 5 litres.
When do you see results?
With VASER Lipo the visual effect of removing the fat is immediate, but you will really see results in a couple of weeks. After the procedure, the results will just keep getting better, so the final result will take about six months.
Who is your typical patient- do you get many men/older women, etc?
Our typical patient is normally a women in her 40's, but we have younger and older women as well as an increasing number of men.
What do you see as the next step in cosmetic surgery?
I think the future for cosmetic procedures is less aggressive, less invasive treatments (like VASER Lipo) and more preventative treatments to slow down the ageing process. The newest developments in the industry are in methods which naturally activate the body's ability to improve itself. Surgeons like myself are beginning to leave behind substances which are alien to the human body, such as silicon, and develop new ways of triggering natural reactions within the body.
For example, at the London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery we have recently begun to offer an anti-ageing method which utilises the patient's own stem cells to generate elastin and collagen production. Called Platelet Facial Rejuvenation Injections, a patient's own platelets are removed from their blood and injected into the face as a natural alternative to botox.
What treatment would you like to see developed?
An anti-ageing medicine!
What caused you to be interested in cosmetic surgery?
I got into cosmetic surgery because I like beauty and art, and I wanted to improve people's quality of life
What question should you ask prior surgery?
You need to have a full explanation of the procedure with risks and results. You should also ask about aftercare, as often procedures need aftercare for the treatment to be as effective as possible.
What's the price of a VASER treatment- on stomach, hips or combined?
Prices start from £ 3,500.
What should you look for when choosing a surgeon?
The most important thing is to choose a surgeon with experience; you would want them to have done as many cases as possible. Also, the patient must have a good relationship with the surgeon and feel comfortable with them.
Long, practical experience is more important than paper certificates!
To have a consultation with Dr Roberto Viel visit him at his clinic, London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery, 15 Harley Street, London, W1G 9QQ , 0207 636 4272 .