AirSculpt®

Liposuction is one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries by men and women. It’s one of the most effective ways to sculpt and slim problem areas like the tummy, arms, hips, thighs, back, and more.

If you’ve ever considered getting liposuction, you’ve probably heard of several techniques, like Vaser, AirSculpt®, etc. Understanding the difference between the procedures is essential to help decide which is right for you.

​​Dr. Ditesheim is an expert in liposuction and advanced body shaping.  He has used and tested almost all lipo technologies and utilizes the ones that produce the best results. Which technique is best for you? Discover more about AirSculpt® versus traditional liposuction to help you make the best decision for your body.

There are various ways to perform liposuction. AirSculpt® is a marketing term for laser liposuction. Elite Body Sculpture, the company that created the technique, offers the procedure at various locations nationwide. Like more traditional lipo techniques, AirSculpt® can be performed while the patient is awake. It’s described as a “no knives” procedure, implying it is somehow more gentle than liposuction.

However, most lipo procedures do not use needles, incisions, or stitches.  At most, a 5mm skin slit may be closed with one stitch or a Steri strip. The superiority of the procedure and the body shaping changes have nothing to do with stitches, needles, or a small skin cut. AirSculpt® still used a tumescent solution infiltration (local anesthetic) and fat removal, both requiring a cannula of 1.5-4mm diameter.  AirSculpt® compares itself to non-invasive lipo technologies like cool sculpting.  Airsculpt is an invasive surgical procedure like every lipo surgical procedure. The scars may be small, but that does not mean it is “non-invasive.”

Airsculpt vs Other Liposuction Techniques – What’s Best For Me?

AirSculpt® is not a magic, non-invasive solution. It’s simply another name for a technology that has existed for 16 years. Every patient is unique. The most important thing is that your surgeon selects the best tools for the best results. Dr. Ditesheim uses the most advanced liposuction technologies for precise sculpting, including Vaser liposuction, Power, and AquaShape liposuction, depending on your unique needs, goals, and preferences.

Here’s a quick breakdown of each procedure. 

Vaser Liposuction: VaserLipo uses controlled ultrasonic energy to permanently remove fat and tighten skin for precise body sculpting results.

VaserLipo is typically best for:

• Smaller pockets of stubborn fat
• Patients who want skin tightening along with fat removal
• Patients who want a minimally invasive approach

High Definition: High Definition lipo is an advanced approach for more precise body sculpting. This technique is designed to create more defined and sculpted body contours by enhancing the visibility of your muscles.

High Definition lipo is typically best for:

• Pesky fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise
• Patients who want to enhance the definition of their natural muscles six-pack, chest, arms, or thighs)

 AquaShape: Water-jet liposuction is a permanent fat removal procedure that uses gently pulsed water jets to break down and eliminate unwanted fat cells from the body. Water-assisted liposuction is excellent for awake liposuction and has a quick recovery.

AquaShape is typically best for:

• Moderate localized fat deposits in areas like the abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, buttocks, or face
• Patients who want a more gentle approach
• Patients who need some degree of skin tightening

 Liposuction in Charlotte with Dr. Ditesheim is performed in our state-of-the-art private surgical suite. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at Ditesheim Cosmetic Surgery to discuss which liposuction technique is best for you.

How Much Does Airsculpt Cost?

Typically, AirSculpt® treatments start at approximately $5,000 for smaller areas like the chin.

What’s more important, the surgeon doing the lipo procedure or a “new magical technology”? 

The best results come from plastic surgeons who are expertly trained, experienced, and have an artistic understanding of how to shape the body. Dr. D is an expert plastic surgeon with 28 years of body contouring surgical experience.

Is AirSculpt® better than traditional liposuction?

No, it’s not better. AirSculpt® is a marketing term Elite Body Sculpture uses to describe laser liposuction. Some providers recommend laser lipo to achieve skin tightening. We prefer more conventional techniques, like Vaser lipo, to eliminate pesky fat and tighten the skin.

Why choose traditional liposuction over AirSculpt®?

AirSculpt® (liposuction with laser energy) is performed in Elite Body Sculpture centers. Private plastic surgery centers do not offer AirSculpt®. Dr. Ditesheim recommends a more time-tested approach for body contouring, including VaserLipo and AquaShape. These methods are more cost-effective, versatile, and have a proven track record.

Is AirSculpt® an easier recovery?

AirSculpt® claims to be better than traditional lipo because it is done awake and boasts a short recovery. However, other liposuction techniques are done under local anesthesia or awake with no drugs and “no needles.” For example, small-volume lipo in the tummy, neck,  chest, or love handles can also be done awake and have a short recovery. None of these claims are specific to AirSculpt®. The recovery depends more on how much fat is removed and how many areas are treated.

What should I ask Dr. Ditesheim during my liposuction consultation?

Dr. Ditesheim and his staff are here to provide all the information you need to make an informed decision. We recommend talking to the doctor about your expected results, recovery time, risks, and any specific concerns you have about the procedure.

Does AirSculpt® tighten skin?

No. Liposuction alone does not significantly tighten skin.  The perceived skin tightness is from youthful skin elasticity.  Once fat is removed, the skin wraps the body as best as it can.  So, a young nulliparous woman having a small volume of lipo in the lower tummy looks better because the skin has elasticity, not because the lipo “tightens the skin.”

Schedule a Consultation in Charlotte, NC

Are you interested in learning more about liposuction in Charlotte? Dr. Ditesheim and the Ditesheim Cosmetic Surgery staff are here to help. Call (704) 542-8686 or click here to reach one of our friendly team members.