It has always been my philosophy that the best way to fully understand another’s experience is to undergo it myself if at all feasible. In keeping with this thought, the moment Elite Obstetrics & Gynecology made the decision to begin offering the innovative new Vaser Liposelection procedure I knew it behooved me to try it on myself before routinely performing this on others. As such here is my story and subsequent hearty endorsement of this experience.

My adventure began on a Sunday when I flew to Kansas City, Missouri then drove 110 miles to Marshall, Missouri where Dr Mica Newman of Cosmetic Enhancements was waiting to perform my liposelection. She and I had met at our training session for the procedure and being of the same mindset agreed to perform each others office surgeries so we could better express to our patients how it felt.

Dr Newman than assessed where she would make the two 3mm incisions she would need and infiltrated the skin with lidocaine before making the painless lower abdominal cuts. Next she began the first phase of the procedure instilling the tumescent anesthesia solution of lidocaine, epinephrine, bicarbonate and saline throughout the areas we would be working on. This, as with all of the day, was completely painless. I lay on my back staring at the ceiling and noting her hand on my belly but nothing else thanks to Dr Newman’s care and skill.

Next, part two, Dr Newman proceeded with the emulsification of my fat cells utilizing the Vaser sound technology probe to selectively break up the fat without disturbing the muscle, nerves, vessels or connective tissue in completely painless fashion thanks to the tumescent anesthesia from step one. I was comfortable during all of this with my only complaint my lower back which was sore lying flat due to prior injuries. We remedied that with an extra pillow.

Finally, the last step was for Dr Newman to remove the emulsified fat into two large canisters. Again no pain just some odd pressure sensations as she moved her hands over my abdomen. I was absolutely skeptical at demonstrations and by salesmen reports that it really was painless but nothing convinces a person like being the actual patient.

We moved on and did my lateral thighs which I will await the results with great curiosity since I had thought they were a lost cause. Even immediately after the procedure I could see the impressive effects to come. The final and best results are to be seen at 3 months after all the swelling and equilibration of fluids settles down, but I have to say I already feel the difference.

I got straight up from the two and a half hours all this took and as a very bad patient proceeded to drive myself 110miles to the Kansas City airport to catch my flight home. NOT RECOMMENDED BEHVIOUR. By the end of the 2 plus hour flight I was definitely beginning to feel sore as the lidocaine solution was wearing off.

I went straight home and to bed with two vicodin and an ativan, sleeping on a towel as I was leaking from the incision sites. Waking up today, I am sore but I would not call it pain. It feels like how one feels the day after doing heavy weights or sports for the first time in a long time. Scale of one to ten pain/soreness maybe a three. Definitely tender and bruised but not even remotely intolerable.

I am excited to see the results on myself and on my patients as we successfully provide painless, in office minimally invasive body contouring for those darn spots you just cannot work out no matter what!

So, I am not just your surgeon and aesthetic body contouring expert, but a happy patient thanks to Dr Mica Newman and her staff at Cosmetic Enhancements. I am ecstatic to be able to share and compare my experience and results as the time goes by with all of you! I welcome the opportunity to provide consultations on whether this is appropriate for you.

Here’s to maximizing our potentials!

Dr. Lanalee Araba Sam
Medical Director Elite Obstetrics & Gynecology