Treatment Category: Body Treatments

Quantum Vaser Lipo is Contoura Medical’s signature procedure: Vaser 4D Lipo and QuantumRF subdermal skin tightening in one session, under local anaesthetic with IV sedation. It suits adults with stubborn fat and mild skin laxity. Dr Edwin Anthony performs it at Langham Hospital, Marylebone.

What Quantum Vaser Lipo is and how it works

Quantum Vaser Lipo joins two procedures that are usually booked separately. The first stage is Vaser 4D Lipo: ultrasound energy loosens fat so it can be removed through small cannulas, with the fat taken selectively to follow the muscle beneath. The second stage is QuantumRF: a fine cannula delivers pulsed radiofrequency energy under the skin to heat and contract the connective tissue that has just been contoured.

Doing both in the same session means one anaesthetic, one recovery and one set of small entry points. It is surgery, carried out in an operating theatre, and it should be treated with the same care as any other surgical procedure.

• Vaser 4D stage: removes unwanted fat and shapes the area
• QuantumRF stage: tightens the skin over the treated area
• Same session: both stages completed under one IV sedation

Who it suits, and who it does not

The typical patient has two concerns in the same place: a pocket of fat that has not shifted with diet, exercise or medication, and skin that has lost some of its spring. This is common after weight loss, including weight lost on GLP-1 medicines such as Mounjaro or Ozempic, and after pregnancy.

• Adults aged 18 and over, at or near a stable weight
• Minimal to mild skin laxity over areas of localised fat
• Good general health, ideally non-smokers

It is not right for everyone. Quantum Vaser Lipo is not a weight-loss treatment, and it cannot remove hanging skin. If you have a true overhang or deep folds, a surgical skin-removal operation such as a tummy tuck is likely to be more honest advice. If your skin is firm, Vaser 4D Lipo on its own may be enough and the QuantumRF stage adds cost without benefit.

The procedure day at Langham Hospital

1. Marking. Dr Edwin Anthony marks the areas with you standing, so contours are planned on your body as it really sits.
2. Anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic with IV sedation given by an anaesthetist. You are relaxed and comfortable, without a general anaesthetic.
3. Vaser 4D stage. Tumescent fluid is infiltrated, ultrasound loosens the fat and it is gently removed.
4. QuantumRF stage. The radiofrequency cannula treats the tissue under the skin, with temperature monitored throughout.
5. Garment. Small dressings and a compression garment go on before you leave theatre.

Most patients go home the same day with a companion. Procedures take place under Langham Hospital’s CQC registration.

Recovery timeline

• Days 1 to 3: swelling, bruising, tightness and some fluid leakage from the entry points. Short walks help circulation.
• Days 5 to 7: most patients return to desk-based work.
• Weeks 2 to 4: bruising fades. Gentle exercise is usually reintroduced on Dr Anthony’s advice.
• Weeks 6 to 8: the compression garment is typically no longer needed and normal training resumes.
• Months 3 to 6: swelling settles and the skin continues to contract as collagen remodels.

The NHS notes that liposuction swelling can take up to 6 months to settle fully, so early photographs rarely show the final result.

Results and how long they last

Fat cells removed by liposuction do not grow back, although remaining fat cells can still enlarge if you gain weight. The skin tightening is gradual: improvement builds over months rather than appearing on the day. Results vary with age, skin quality, smoking and weight stability, and no result can be promised.

Risks and safety

Every surgical procedure carries risk. Common effects are bruising, swelling, temporary numbness and firmness. Less common problems include contour irregularity, seroma (a fluid collection), infection, burns from energy devices, pigmentation change and, rarely, blood clots.

A 2022 series of 261 third-generation VASER patients reported an overall complication rate of 4.6%, with contour irregularity in 1.9% and seroma in 0.8%. In the same series, 86% of patients said they would recommend the procedure. Adding a second energy device lengthens the procedure, which is one reason careful selection matters.

How it compares

If fat is the larger concern and skin laxity is more than mild, BodyTite Turbo is another option we may discuss.

Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony

• Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), personally performs every procedure
• Over 1,500 VASER procedures and 14 years of dedicated VASER practice
• Trained with Dr Alfredo Hoyos in high-definition liposculpture; MRCS (Edinburgh); NHS plastic surgery and burns training; graduate of Trinity College Dublin
• Langham Hospital, within the Harley Street medical district, 2 minutes’ walk from Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park stations

Related procedures

• Vaser 4D Lipo
• QuantumRF skin tightening
• BodyTite Turbo
• Renuvion
• See our price list

Consultations take place with Dr Edwin Anthony at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, or by video. Call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with hospital theatre fees and IV sedation itemised in the quote, and finance is available through Chrysalis Finance (see finance). Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Safety and Efficacy of Third-Generation Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction: A Series of 261 Cases, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (PubMed)
2. Liposuction, NHS
3. Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), NHS

Body contouring at Contoura Medical covers surgical fat removal and skin tightening, from Micro Lipo for one small area to Vaser Hi-Def and Quantum Vaser Lipo. It suits adults near a stable weight. Dr Edwin Anthony performs every procedure at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, London.

What body contouring is, and what it is not

Body contouring reshapes areas where stubborn fat, loose skin or both spoil the outline you want. At Contoura Medical it means liposuction using VASER ultrasound or power-assisted technology, sometimes combined with skin tightening in the same session. Nearly all of these options are surgery, performed in a hospital theatre with consent, aftercare and follow-up.

It is not a weight-loss treatment. The NHS is clear that liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and will not remove cellulite or stretch marks. The people who do well are usually close to their goal weight and bothered by particular areas that have not changed with diet, training or GLP-1 medicines.

Choosing between the procedures

The right option depends on four things: how much fat there is, how good your skin elasticity is, whether you want a smoother shape or visible muscle definition, and how much downtime you can take. This table is a starting point, not a prescription.

How to decide: questions we work through

1. How much fat is there? A small, pinchable pocket often suits Micro Lipo. Several areas or larger volumes point to Vaser Lipo or Vaser 4D Lipo.
2. Where is it? If the concern is the whole waist, front and back, Vaser 360 Lipo treats the torso as one unit so the result looks even from every angle.
3. Do you want definition? Vaser Hi-Def sculpts fat around muscle groups, but it only suits people who are already lean and train regularly.
4. How is your skin? VASER gives some skin retraction when elasticity is good. With mild laxity, Quantum Vaser Lipo adds QuantumRF tightening in the same session. With a lot of loose skin, a skin-removal operation may be more honest advice.
5. What anaesthetic and downtime suit you? Local anaesthetic options mean less time off. IV sedation allows bigger treatment plans in one visit.

Skin tightening options

Several technologies can tighten skin, either alongside liposuction or on their own:

• QuantumRF: radiofrequency delivered beneath the skin through a fine probe
• Renuvion: helium plasma energy applied under the skin, often used during liposuction
• BodyTite Turbo and EmbraceRF2: minimally invasive radiofrequency for body and lower face
• Thermage FLX: non-invasive radiofrequency from the skin surface, with no incisions

Which device suits you depends on how much laxity there is, where it is, and whether liposuction is being done at the same time.

The procedure day and recovery

All procedures take place at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, within the Harley Street medical district. You are marked standing up, the anaesthetic is given, and Dr Anthony carries out the whole operation himself. Most procedures take 90 minutes to three hours, and you go home the same day in a compression garment.

• Days 1 to 3: soreness, swelling, bruising and fluid drainage from entry points. Walking helps.
• Days 2 to 7: return to desk-based work, depending on the procedure.
• Weeks 1 to 2: light exercise for smaller procedures.
• Weeks 4 to 6: compression is usually worn day and night, and intense training resumes towards the end of this period.
• Week 12 onwards: the final shape shows. The NHS notes it can take up to 6 months for an area to settle completely.

Results, risks and safety

Fat cells removed do not grow back, but remaining fat can still expand with weight gain. Results vary between individuals and cannot be promised. In a published series of 261 patients treated with third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction, the overall complication rate was 4.6%, including contour irregularity in 1.9% and seroma in 0.8%, and 86% of patients said they would recommend the procedure.

• Common: bruising, swelling, numbness and firmness for several weeks
• Less common: uneven contour, seroma, infection, skin colour change, scarring at entry points
• Rare but serious: blood clots, excessive bleeding, fluid imbalance or internal injury

Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony

• Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), personally performs every procedure
• Over 1,500 VASER procedures and 14 years of dedicated VASER practice
• Trained with Dr Alfredo Hoyos in high-definition liposculpture
• Trinity College Dublin (MB BCh BAO), MRCS (Edinburgh), NHS plastic surgery and burns training
• Regulated services provided under Langham Hospital’s CQC registration

Related procedures

• Micro Lipo
• Vaser Lipo
• Medical lipo for lipoedema and gynaecomastia
• Quantum Vaser Lipo
• Fat grafting
• See our price list

Consultations take place at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, two minutes’ walk from Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park stations, or by video. Call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with hospital theatre fees and any IV sedation itemised; see our price list. Finance is available through Chrysalis Finance. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Liposuction, NHS
2. Safety and Efficacy of Third-Generation Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction: A Series of 261 Cases, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (Springer)

Gynaecomastia correction is day-case surgery that flattens enlarged male chest tissue using VASER liposuction, with small-incision gland removal where needed. It suits adult men with persistent chest fullness. Dr Edwin Anthony performs every procedure at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, London.

What gynaecomastia is and how correction works

Gynaecomastia means enlarged breast tissue in men. It can affect one or both sides, and many men put off asking about it for years. According to StatPearls, it tends to appear in boys from around age 13, and becomes more common again in men aged 65 and over. The fullness is usually made of fat, gland, or both:

• Pseudo-gynaecomastia: mainly fat. This usually responds to VASER liposuction alone.
• True gynaecomastia: firm glandular tissue sitting behind the nipple. Liposuction cannot remove this, so a small excision is added.
• Mixed gynaecomastia: fat and gland together. This is the most common picture we see.

VASER uses ultrasound energy to loosen fat so it can be removed through tiny entry points with less force than traditional liposuction. Any firm gland left behind is removed through a short incision at the edge of the areola.

Checking the cause comes first

Before any surgery we want to know why the tissue has grown. The NHS lists hormonal changes, being overweight, side effects of some medicines, anabolic steroids, and conditions affecting the thyroid, kidneys or liver among the causes. Some of these can be treated without an operation.

• We review every medicine and supplement you take, including anything bought for the gym
• We examine both sides of the chest and, where needed, use ultrasound
• If anything suggests a hormonal problem, we ask your GP for blood tests before planning surgery

A new, hard or one-sided lump, nipple discharge or skin change needs checking by your GP promptly, whatever your plans for surgery.

Who it suits, and who it does not

Correction tends to suit men aged 18 and over who:

• Have had chest fullness for at least a year that has not settled with weight loss or exercise
• Are at or near a stable, healthy weight
• Are in good general health and do not smoke, or can stop around surgery
• Have had any hormonal or medication cause looked at and dealt with

Men with a lot of loose skin or a low-hanging nipple may need a skin-removal operation instead, and we will tell you if that is the case. Gynaecomastia in puberty often settles on its own, which is one reason we treat adults only.

The procedure day at Langham Hospital

1. Arrival and marking. Dr Anthony reviews your consent, then marks the chest standing up so the plan follows your natural shape.
2. Anaesthetic. Most men have local anaesthetic only and stay awake. IV sedation, given by an anaesthetist, is available if you prefer to be drowsy.
3. VASER and liposuction. Fat is loosened and removed from the chest and, where needed, the armpit edge through entry points of a few millimetres.
4. Gland removal if needed. Any firm gland is taken out through a short incision at the edge of the areola.
5. Home the same day. Most procedures take 60 to 90 minutes. You leave in a compression vest with written aftercare and a direct contact number.

Recovery timeline

• Days 1 to 3: soreness and bruising, managed with simple pain relief. Most men return to desk-based work by day 2 or 3.
• Weeks 1 to 2: review with the team; bruising fades. Avoid lifting and chest exercises.
• Weeks 4 to 6: the compression vest is worn day and night for this period. Gym work is reintroduced gradually.
• Weeks 8 to 12: swelling settles enough for the final shape to show.

Results, risks and safety

The fat cells and gland removed do not grow back. Remaining tissue can still enlarge with significant weight gain, steroid use or new medicines, so a stable weight matters. Results vary between individuals and cannot be promised.

In a 2025 multi-centre study of 960 men treated with VASER plus gland excision through a small incision, the complication rate was 1.7%, mostly minor issues such as bruising, temporary numbness and haematoma, and mean satisfaction was 9.4 out of 10. Possible risks include:

• Bruising, swelling and temporary numbness of the chest or nipple
• Haematoma (a collection of blood) or seroma (a collection of fluid) that may need draining
• Contour irregularity, asymmetry, or a slightly sunken area under the nipple
• Infection, delayed healing or a more visible scar
• Rarely, blood clots or a reaction to anaesthetic

How the options compare

Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony

• Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), personally performs every procedure
• Over 1,500 VASER procedures and 14 years of dedicated VASER practice
• Trained at Trinity College Dublin (MB BCh BAO), MRCS (Edinburgh), with NHS plastic surgery and burns training
• Surgery at Langham Hospital, within the Harley Street medical district, under the hospital’s CQC registration

Related procedures

• Medical lipo for lipoedema, gynaecomastia and skin tightening
• Vaser Lipo
• Vaser Hi-Def for chest and abdominal definition
• Renuvion skin tightening
• Body contouring overview
• See our price list

Consultations take place at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, two minutes’ walk from Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park stations, or by video. Call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with hospital theatre fees and any IV sedation itemised; see our price list and finance through Chrysalis Finance. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Gynaecomastia, NHS
2. Gynecomastia, StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)
3. Correction of Gynecomastia with Combination of Ultrasonic Liposuction (VASER) and Gland Excision through a Minimal Scar Incision: A Multi-Center Experience, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (Springer)

VASER liposuction is ultrasound-assisted fat removal for adults with stubborn, diet-resistant fat. Our core procedure, Vaser Lipo, is done under local anaesthetic as a day case. Dr Edwin Anthony performs every procedure himself at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, London.

How VASER liposuction works

VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. After the area is filled with a numbing fluid, a slim probe delivers ultrasound energy into the fat layer. Fat cells absorb that energy, loosen and partly liquefy, and are then removed through fine cannulas passed through small entry points of a few millimetres.

Because the energy is taken up mainly by fat, nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue are largely spared. In practice that tends to mean less bruising and a smoother finish than purely mechanical liposuction. It is still surgery, carried out in an operating theatre.

VASER is not a weight-loss treatment. The NHS is clear that liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, and we agree.

The five VASER procedures compared

The right procedure depends on how much fat there is, how many areas you want treated, your skin quality and how much definition you want.

Where loose skin is part of the problem, Dr Anthony may suggest Quantum Vaser Lipo, which pairs VASER with QuantumRF skin tightening under the skin in the same session.

Who Vaser Lipo suits, and who it does not

• Adults aged 18 and over in good general health
• People within roughly 30 percent of their ideal body weight
• Stubborn, localised fat on the abdomen, flanks, back, arms, thighs, chest, chin, knees or calves
• Reasonable skin elasticity in the areas to be treated
• Non-smokers

It is not the right choice if you are hoping to lose a large amount of weight, if most of your abdominal fat sits deep around the organs, or if the main issue is loose skin or separated stomach muscles. Dr Anthony will tell you if another approach suits you better.

Your procedure day at Langham Hospital

1. Marking. Dr Anthony reviews your consent and marks the areas while you stand.
2. Local anaesthetic. Numbing fluid is infiltrated into each area. You stay awake and can talk throughout.
3. Ultrasound and removal. The VASER probe prepares the fat, then fine cannulas remove it and blend the edges.
4. Garment on. Tiny entry points are dressed and your compression garment is fitted in theatre.
5. Home the same day. Most sessions take 90 minutes to three hours depending on the number of areas. You will need someone to take you home.

Recovery timeline

• Days 1 to 3: soreness, swelling and some fluid leaking from the entry points is normal. Most people are back to light activities within two to three days.
• Week 1: desk work is usually manageable.
• Weeks 1 to 6: wear compression for four to six weeks. Lymphatic drainage massage is recommended.
• Weeks 4 to 6: return gradually to harder exercise once cleared.
• Week 12: the final shape is usually visible, although the NHS notes swelling can take up to six months to settle fully.

Results, risks and safety

Removed fat cells do not grow back, but the remaining ones can enlarge with weight gain. Results vary between people and cannot be promised.

All surgery carries risk. Expected effects include bruising, swelling and temporary numbness. Less common problems include uneven contour, fluid collections (seroma), infection, skin burns from the ultrasound probe, pigmentation change and, rarely, blood clots. For context:

• A 2022 series of 261 VASER patients reported an overall complication rate of 4.6%, with contour irregularity in 1.9% and seroma in 0.8%. In the same study, 86% said they would recommend the procedure.
• A study of 31,010 cosmetic liposuction procedures found a major complication rate of 0.7% when liposuction was done on its own.

Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony

Dr Edwin Anthony is Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646). He graduated from Trinity College Dublin (MB BCh BAO), holds MRCS (Edinburgh) and trained in NHS plastic surgery and burns units before moving into private practice. He later trained with Dr Alfredo Hoyos in high-definition liposculpture. Over 14 years of dedicated VASER practice he has performed more than 1,500 VASER procedures, and he personally performs every one. Surgery takes place at Langham Hospital, within the Harley Street medical district, under the hospital’s CQC registration.

Related procedures

• Micro Lipo for one or two small pockets of fat
• Vaser 4D Lipo for larger, multi-area contouring
• Vaser 360 Lipo for the whole waist and lower back
• Vaser Hi-Def for muscular definition
• Costs: see our price list

Consultations take place at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, two minutes’ walk from Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park stations, or by video. Call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with hospital theatre fees and any IV sedation itemised, and finance is available through Chrysalis Finance. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Liposuction, NHS
2. Safety and Efficacy of Third-Generation Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction: A Series of 261 Cases, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (PubMed)
3. Cosmetic Liposuction: Preoperative Risk Factors, Major Complication Rates, and Safety of Combined Procedures, Aesthetic Surgery Journal

Medical liposuction at Contoura Medical is surgery for conditions rather than purely cosmetic concerns: mainly lipoedema, using lymph-sparing VASER and power-assisted liposuction, plus gynaecomastia and skin tightening. Dr Edwin Anthony performs it at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, London.

What lipoedema is

Lipoedema is a long-term condition in which fat builds up abnormally, usually in both legs and sometimes the arms. The NHS describes it as mainly affecting women and suggests hormonal changes, such as puberty, pregnancy and the menopause, may play a part. It is not caused by overeating, and it is different from obesity and from lymphoedema.

How common it is remains uncertain. A StatPearls review notes estimates ranging from 1 in 72,000 people to around 11% of adults, a spread that reflects how often it is missed or mislabelled as weight gain.

Symptoms and stages

Typical signs include:

• Enlarged hips, thighs and lower legs out of proportion to the upper body, with the feet usually spared
• Arms affected in some women, with the hands usually spared
• Pain, tenderness, heaviness and easy bruising
• Soft, cool skin that may feel nodular underneath
• Fat that changes little with diet and exercise

Lipoedema is commonly described in four stages:

1. Stage 1: smooth skin surface over thickened, nodular fat.
2. Stage 2: uneven, dimpled skin with larger fat nodules.
3. Stage 3: large folds and lobules of skin and fat, often around the knees and thighs.
4. Stage 4: lipoedema with lymphoedema, sometimes called lipo-lymphoedema.

Conservative care comes first

Surgery is not the first step. The NHS recommends a healthy diet and activity, compression garments, good skin care and psychological support, and we ask patients to have established these before we discuss liposuction. Many women also benefit from a lymphoedema service or specialist physiotherapist. Keeping weight stable matters because ordinary fat on top of lipoedema makes symptoms worse, even though lipoedema fat itself is resistant to dieting.

How lymph-sparing liposuction works

Where pain, heaviness or mobility remain a problem despite conservative care, liposuction may reduce the volume of abnormal fat. Dr Anthony combines VASER ultrasound, which loosens fat gently, with power-assisted liposuction, using fine blunt cannulas moved along the length of the limb rather than across it. This lymph-sparing approach aims to protect the lymphatic vessels that run lengthways under the skin.

• Large volumes of dilute local anaesthetic fluid are infiltrated first, with IV sedation available
• Treatment is usually staged over more than one session, keeping each within safe volume limits
• Compression is worn immediately afterwards and for several months

NICE interventional procedures guidance, published on 29 March 2022, says evidence on the safety of liposuction for chronic lipoedema is inadequate and raises concerns about major adverse events including fluid imbalance, fat embolism, deep vein thrombosis and local anaesthetic toxicity. NICE recommends it is only done in the context of research, with patients selected by a multidisciplinary team including lipoedema experts, and only in specialist centres by experienced surgeons. We explain this guidance at consultation. Our own approach is cautious: careful selection, staged sessions, hospital theatres with anaesthetic support, blood clot prevention, and communication with your GP and any lymphoedema team involved in your care.

Procedure day and recovery

• Day of surgery: a day case at Langham Hospital. NICE notes that surgery typically takes 1 to 4 hours, depending on limb size.
• First 48 hours: drainage of excess fluid through the entry points is normal. Walking regularly is encouraged.
• Week 1: review with the team. Most patients manage light activities within a few days.
• Weeks 2 to 6: bruising settles, compression is worn day and night, and exercise is built up gradually.
• Months 3 to 6: swelling continues to reduce. Many patients remain in compression long term.

Liposuction does not cure lipoedema. The aim is less pain, easier movement and better limb proportions. Some patients need more than one operation, and the condition may still progress.

Gynaecomastia and skin tightening

Gynaecomastia: male chest fullness caused by fat, gland or both is treated with VASER liposuction, adding small-incision gland removal where needed, usually under local anaesthetic. A 2025 study of 960 men treated this way reported a 1.7% complication rate. See our gynaecomastia guide.

Skin tightening: when fat is removed from an area with reduced elasticity, energy-based devices can be used during the same operation to encourage the skin to contract. Options include Renuvion helium plasma and QuantumRF radiofrequency beneath the skin. This can reduce, but not always remove, the need for skin excision surgery.

How lipoedema compares with other conditions

Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony

• Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), performs every procedure himself
• Member of the International Lipoedema Association and a Lipoedema UK recognised clinician
• Over 1,500 VASER procedures and 14 years of dedicated VASER practice
• Trinity College Dublin (MB BCh BAO), MRCS (Edinburgh), NHS plastic surgery and burns training
• Surgery at Langham Hospital under its CQC registration, two minutes’ walk from Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park stations

Related procedures

• Vaser Lipo
• Gynaecomastia correction
• Skin tightening options
• Body contouring overview
• See our price list

Consultations take place at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, or by video, which suits many lipoedema patients travelling from outside London. Call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with hospital theatre fees and any IV sedation itemised; see our price list. Finance is available through Chrysalis Finance. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Lipoedema, NHS
2. Liposuction for chronic lipoedema (IPG721), NICE
3. Lipedema, StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)
4. Correction of Gynecomastia with Combination of Ultrasonic Liposuction (VASER) and Gland Excision through a Minimal Scar Incision: A Multi-Center Experience, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (Springer)

Renuvion is a minimally invasive skin tightening procedure that uses helium plasma with radiofrequency energy under the skin, often straight after liposuction. It suits adults with mild to moderate laxity. Dr Edwin Anthony performs it at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, London.

What Renuvion is and how it works

Renuvion, made by Apyx Medical and previously known as J-Plasma, passes helium gas over an energised electrode to create a plasma. Through a thin handpiece placed under the skin via a small entry point, it delivers rapid, very short bursts of heat to the fibrous connective tissue beneath the skin. That tissue contracts immediately, and new collagen forms over the following months.

Renuvion is a tightening tool, not a fat removal procedure. It is most often used at the end of liposuction, once fat has been removed, to help the skin settle onto the new contour. It is a surgical procedure performed in theatre.

What the FDA says about Renuvion

The US Food and Drug Administration regulates devices in the United States, and its position is useful context for UK patients. In March 2022 it warned against using Renuvion/J-Plasma for aesthetic skin procedures it had not cleared. Since then, according to its updated safety communication of May 2023, specific uses have been cleared:

• May 2022: the Dermal handpiece, for moderate to severe wrinkles in Fitzpatrick skin types I to III
• July 2022: the APR handpiece, for loose skin of the neck and under the chin
• April 2023: the APR handpiece, for coagulating tissue under the skin after liposuction for body contouring

The FDA states that the device has not been determined to be safe or effective for other aesthetic skin procedures, and advises patients to ask which device will be used and to discuss its benefits and risks. We follow that advice: at consultation, Dr Anthony explains exactly how Renuvion would be used in your plan.

Who it suits, and who it does not

• Adults aged 18 and over with mild to moderate laxity, at a stable weight
• Patients having liposuction who have some looseness over the treated area
• Selected neck and under-chin laxity

It is not suitable for large folds of skin after massive weight loss, and it will not give the lift of a body lift or tummy tuck. If you are still losing weight, or cannot wear a compression garment as advised, it is better to wait.

The procedure day at Langham Hospital

1. Planning. Areas are marked and photographed.
2. Anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic, with IV sedation when Renuvion is combined with liposuction or larger areas.
3. Treatment. The handpiece is passed under the skin in controlled strokes.
4. Finish. Entry points are dressed and a compression garment is fitted.

Recovery timeline

• Days 1 to 7: swelling, bruising, tenderness and a tight feeling. Light daily activity within a few days.
• Weeks 1 to 2: most visible bruising settles.
• Weeks 2 to 6: compression continues as advised, especially after liposuction. Exercise is reintroduced gradually.
• Months 1 to 3: firmness improves as collagen remodels.
• Months 3 to 6: the final result becomes clear.

Evidence, risks and safety

A 2026 meta-analysis of 34 studies and 3,508 patients reported pooled complication rates of 5% when helium plasma RF was used alone and 8% when combined with liposuction, with a pooled satisfaction rate of 92%. Most included studies were observational.

A 2024 single-centre review of 465 patients found seroma in 7.0% after Renuvion and 10.2% after BodyTite. That study was sponsored by the manufacturer of Renuvion, so it should be read with that in mind.

Possible complications include seroma, burns, prolonged swelling or firmness, pigmentation change, infection, numbness, contour irregularity and scarring. Rare serious events can occur with any subdermal energy device.

How it compares

For many patients with loose skin and little fat, QuantumRF is the simpler choice. Where fat and laxity sit together, Quantum Vaser Lipo or BodyTite Turbo may fit better. Dr Anthony will explain which suits your tissue, not which is newest.

Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony

• Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), personally performs every procedure
• Over 1,500 VASER procedures and 14 years of dedicated VASER practice, with long experience of subdermal energy devices
• Trained with Dr Alfredo Hoyos in high-definition liposculpture; MRCS (Edinburgh)
• Regulated services provided under Langham Hospital’s CQC registration

Related procedures

• QuantumRF
• BodyTite Turbo
• Quantum Vaser Lipo
• EmbraceRF2
• Skin tightening overview
• See our price list

Consultations take place with Dr Edwin Anthony at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, 2 minutes’ walk from Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park stations, or by video. Call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with theatre fees and any IV sedation itemised. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. UPDATE: Use of Renuvion/J-Plasma Device for Certain Aesthetic Procedures: FDA Safety Communication, US Food and Drug Administration
2. Helium Plasma Radiofrequency for Aesthetic Subdermal Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum
3. A Retrospective Review Comparing Renuvion Helium Plasma Radiofrequency with BodyTite Bipolar Radiofrequency after Liposuction or Body Contouring, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open (PMC)

Vaser Hi-Def is ultrasound-assisted liposculpture that removes fat around specific muscle groups to reveal definition, while Soft Hi-Def gives a subtler toned look. Both suit lean, active adults and are performed by Dr Edwin Anthony at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, London.

What Vaser Hi-Def is

Standard liposuction reduces a layer of fat evenly. Vaser Hi-Def works differently. Dr Anthony removes fat selectively from the grooves where the muscles meet, such as the lines either side of the abdominal muscles and the borders of the chest, while leaving a thin layer over the muscles themselves. Light then catches the muscle shape instead of a flat surface.

The technique was described by Dr Alfredo Hoyos, with whom Dr Anthony trained. It is the most technically demanding procedure in the VASER family, because small errors in depth or position show clearly on a lean body. It is surgery, performed in theatre, and it only works on a body that already has muscle underneath to reveal.

Hi-Def or Soft Hi-Def

Not everyone wants a sharply etched six-pack. Soft Hi-Def uses the same principles with a lighter hand, giving a toned, athletic outline without deep muscle lines. It is popular with women and with men who want to look lean rather than bodybuilt.

Who is a good candidate

• Adults aged 18 and over in good general health
• A healthy, stable weight with low body fat
• Stubborn fat hiding muscle definition despite regular training
• Good skin elasticity over the abdomen, chest or arms
• A genuine commitment to fitness: the clinic recommends regular gym training, ideally around five sessions a week
• Realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot create

Vaser Hi-Def is not suitable if you are carrying significant extra weight or have loose skin, because the lines would not sit correctly. In that case Dr Anthony may suggest Vaser 4D Lipo first, or combining with QuantumRF or Renuvion to help the skin settle.

The procedure day

1. Muscle mapping. Dr Anthony marks the borders of each muscle group while you contract them.
2. Anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic with IV sedation keeps you comfortable and relaxed. General anaesthetic is not needed.
3. Ultrasound. VASER energy loosens fat in both the deeper and more superficial layers.
4. Sculpting. Fat is removed evenly from the deep layer, then selectively along the marked lines to create shadow.
5. Home. Garments go on in theatre and you leave the same day as a day case.

Recovery and aftercare

• Days 2 to 3: light daily activities.
• Week 1: discomfort usually settles with prescribed pain relief.
• Weeks 1 to 6: compression is worn to control swelling and support the new contours.
• From about week 4: strenuous exercise can restart once cleared. Returning to training matters, because muscle tone is what the definition depends on.
• Around week 12: full definition is usually visible.

Risks and what the evidence shows

All surgery carries risk. Particular concerns with high-definition work include seroma, contour irregularity, asymmetry of the lines, burns at the entry points, pigmentation change, prolonged swelling and occasionally the need for revision. Results vary and cannot be promised.

• In the original report of 306 VASER-assisted high-definition patients, 84% had satisfactory results. Minor complications included 20 seromas and 9 port-site burns, and there was no skin necrosis.
• A later 18-year review of 5,052 patients (4,300 women and 752 men) reported that complication rates, especially bleeding-related ones, fell as the technique developed.

The NHS advises checking that your surgeon is GMC registered and that the provider is registered with the CQC. Both apply here.

Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony

Dr Anthony trained with Dr Alfredo Hoyos in high-definition liposculpture and has since performed more than 1,500 VASER procedures over 14 years of dedicated practice. Before that he graduated from Trinity College Dublin (MB BCh BAO), gained MRCS (Edinburgh) and trained in NHS plastic surgery and burns units. As Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), he personally performs every Hi-Def and Soft Hi-Def case at Langham Hospital, where services run under the hospital’s CQC registration.

Related procedures

• VASER liposuction overview
• Vaser 4D Lipo for larger volumes with gentler definition
• Vaser 360 Lipo for waist reduction
• Micro Lipo for a small, isolated pocket
• Costs: our price list

To discuss Vaser Hi-Def or Soft Hi-Def, see Dr Anthony at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, two minutes from Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park stations, or by video. Telephone 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with IV sedation and hospital theatre fees itemised, and Chrysalis Finance is available. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. VASER-Assisted High-Definition Liposculpture, Aesthetic Surgery Journal
2. High-Definition Liposculpture 18-Year Evolution: Patient Safety and Aesthetic Outcomes, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PubMed)
3. Liposuction, NHS

QuantumRF is a minimally invasive procedure that tightens loose skin from underneath using radiofrequency energy through a fine cannula. It suits adults with mild to moderate laxity, including after GLP-1 weight loss. Dr Edwin Anthony performs it at Langham Hospital, Marylebone.

What QuantumRF is and how it works

QuantumRF is a subdermal radiofrequency device made by InMode. Through a tiny entry point, a thin cannula is passed under the skin. It delivers short, fractionated pulses of bipolar radiofrequency energy to the fibrous web of connective tissue beneath the skin, while sensors monitor temperature. The heat makes this tissue contract straight away, and over the following months the body lays down new collagen.

Unlike liposuction, QuantumRF is not designed to remove fat. Its job is tightening. It is still a surgical procedure performed in theatre, even though the entry points are only a few millimetres long.

Loose skin after Mounjaro or Ozempic

GLP-1 medicines such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) can lead to substantial weight loss in a relatively short time. Skin does not always keep pace. The result can be a deflated look on the abdomen, inner thighs, upper arms, bra line or neck, even when the number on the scales is where you want it.

• Wait until your weight has been stable for around three months
• If you are still on medication, tell us your dose and plans; we may advise waiting
• Expect tightening, not the removal of an overhang

QuantumRF sits between doing nothing and excisional surgery. It is a reasonable option for mild to moderate laxity. It is not a substitute for a body lift after massive weight loss.

Who it suits, and who it does not

• Adults aged 18 and over with mild to moderate laxity and little excess fat
• Common areas: abdomen, inner thighs, upper arms, bra line, knees, neck and under the chin
• Non-smokers in good general health, at a stable weight

If you have hanging skin, a tummy tuck or other skin-removal surgery is more likely to meet your expectations, and we will say so. If you also have stubborn fat in the same area, Quantum Vaser Lipo treats both in one session.

The procedure day at Langham Hospital

1. Planning. Dr Edwin Anthony marks the treatment zones and photographs them.
2. Anaesthetic. The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. IV sedation is available if you would prefer it.
3. Treatment. The cannula is moved in a set pattern under the skin while temperature is monitored. Most people feel warmth or pressure.
4. Finish. Entry points are dressed and a compression garment is fitted where needed.

Treatment usually takes 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the size and number of areas. You go home the same day.

Recovery timeline

• First 48 hours: swelling, tenderness and a warm or tight feeling. Most people return to light daily activities.
• Week 1: bruising and swelling settle. Many return to desk-based work within a few days.
• Weeks 2 to 4: compression is worn as advised and exercise is reintroduced gradually.
• Months 1 to 3: collagen remodelling makes the skin feel firmer.
• Months 3 to 6: the result stabilises.

What the evidence shows

Independent, peer-reviewed data on QuantumRF itself is still limited, so we do not quote specific contraction or complication percentages for this device. Much of the evidence for subdermal bipolar radiofrequency comes from earlier devices from the same manufacturer.

• In a small 2015 study of 10 patients, arms treated with radiofrequency-assisted liposuction showed 22.6% linear contraction at 12 months, compared with 17.8% for liposuction alone.
• By comparison, the NHS advises about 4 to 6 weeks off work after a tummy tuck, which is done under general anaesthetic and takes 2 to 5 hours.

Those figures come from different devices and settings, so they are a guide to the principle rather than a promise of your result.

Risks and safety

Expected effects include swelling, bruising, tenderness and temporary numbness. Less common risks include burns, prolonged firmness or lumps, seroma, infection, pigmentation change and uneven tightening. QuantumRF does not use helium gas, so it does not carry the gas-related concerns discussed for helium plasma devices, but any energy device can injure tissue if used poorly.

How it compares

For the face and neck, EmbraceRF2 adds microneedling to subdermal radiofrequency to improve skin surface as well.

Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony

• Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), personally performs every QuantumRF treatment
• Over 1,500 VASER procedures and 14 years of dedicated VASER practice
• MRCS (Edinburgh), Trinity College Dublin graduate, NHS plastic surgery and burns training
• Regulated services provided under Langham Hospital’s CQC registration

Related procedures

• Quantum Vaser Lipo
• Renuvion
• BodyTite Turbo
• EmbraceRF2
• See our price list

Consultations take place with Dr Edwin Anthony at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, 2 minutes’ walk from Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park stations, or by video. Call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with theatre fees and any IV sedation itemised. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction Compared with Aggressive Superficial, Subdermal Liposuction of the Arms: A Bilateral Quantitative Comparison, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open (PMC)
2. Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), NHS