Vaser 360 Lipo is ultrasound-assisted liposuction that treats the torso all the way round: upper and lower abdomen, flanks and lower back. It suits adults near their ideal weight wanting a narrower waist, and Dr Edwin Anthony performs it at Langham Hospital, Marylebone.
What Vaser 360 Lipo treats
Vaser 360 Lipo is a single, planned operation on the midsection. It covers four linked zones:
- The upper abdomen, above the belly button
- The lower abdomen, including the lower tummy bulge
- The flanks, often called love handles
- The lower third of the back, where fat tends to roll over a waistband
VASER ultrasound loosens the fat in each zone before it is removed through small entry points, and Dr Anthony blends the areas into one another so there is no step between front and back.
Why treat the waist all the way round
Many people who ask about their stomach are really bothered by the width of their waist. Treating only the front can leave the flanks and lower back looking fuller by comparison, and the change is less noticeable in clothes or from the side. Working around the whole circumference reduces the waist measurement more evenly and gives a more balanced silhouette from every angle.
Who it suits, and its limits
The typical patient is an adult, 18 or over, close to their goal weight, with a waistline that has not changed despite steady diet and exercise, and with reasonable skin quality. It is surgery, so you need to be in good general health and a non-smoker.
It will not tighten separated stomach muscles or remove an overhang of skin after pregnancy or major weight loss. If you have a firm, rounded stomach that pushes outwards, much of that may be visceral fat. The NHS stresses that liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, and Dr Anthony will tell you plainly if another route would help you more.
How it compares
| Factor | Vaser Lipo to the abdomen | Vaser 360 Lipo | Vaser 4D Lipo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zones covered | Front of the tummy | Abdomen, flanks and lower back together | Several areas, which may extend beyond the torso |
| Main goal | Flatter front | Narrower waist from every angle | Larger reduction with anatomical shaping |
| Anaesthetic | Local anaesthetic | Local anaesthetic, IV sedation available | Mainly IV sedation with local anaesthetic |
| Positioning in theatre | On your back | Front and back, turned during surgery | Depends on areas |
Preparing for surgery and the day itself
- Weeks before: stop smoking, eat well and stop medicines or supplements that increase bleeding, as advised in your tailored pre-operative checklist.
- Plan ahead: arrange around a week off desk work and someone to help at home for the first day or two.
- On the day: Dr Anthony marks your torso while you stand. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, and IV sedation is available if you would like it.
- Going home: you are usually ready to leave about an hour after the procedure finishes, wearing your compression garment.
Recovery week by week
- Days 1 to 3: soreness, tightness and tenderness are at their most noticeable. Prescribed pain relief helps.
- Days 5 to 7: things become noticeably easier. Many people return to desk-based work at about one week.
- Weeks 1 to 3: compression is worn day and night. Pre-planned lymphatic massage helps swelling move.
- Weeks 4 to 6: compression continues for around eight hours a day.
- Weeks 6 to 12: most of the refinement in shape happens.
- Months 3 to 6: final contours settle, depending on how you heal.
Results, risks and safety
Most people aim for a smaller waist and a more athletic outline. Your result depends on your starting shape, how your fat is distributed, your skin and your healing. The fat removed does not return, but remaining cells can grow with weight gain. Results cannot be promised.
Risks include bleeding, infection, fluid collections, contour irregularity, numbness, prolonged swelling, pigmentation change and, rarely, blood clots. Published data give a sense of scale:
- In a nationwide analysis of 69,424 liposuction patients, ultrasound-assisted liposuction had an overall complication rate of 1.4%, with haematoma (0.5%) and infection (0.3%) the most common problems across all techniques.
- A series of 261 VASER patients covering 783 treated areas removed an average of about 2.3 litres of aspirate, and 78% said they would have the procedure again.
Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony
Circumferential work relies on judgement about how the back, sides and front meet. Dr Anthony has built that judgement over 14 years of dedicated VASER practice and more than 1,500 VASER procedures, after NHS plastic surgery and burns training and further training with Dr Alfredo Hoyos. He is Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), a Trinity College Dublin graduate (MB BCh BAO) with MRCS (Edinburgh), and he carries out every operation personally at Langham Hospital, under its CQC registration.
Related procedures
- VASER liposuction overview
- Vaser 4D Lipo for torso plus other areas
- Vaser Hi-Def for defined abdominal muscles
- Micro Lipo for a single small pocket
- Quantum Vaser Lipo if skin laxity is a concern
- Fees: see our price list
Book a consultation at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, or by video, by calling 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price for Vaser 360 Lipo is confirmed in writing after consultation, with IV sedation, if chosen, and hospital theatre fees itemised. Finance is available through Chrysalis Finance. Book a consultation
Frequently asked questions
Which areas does Vaser 360 Lipo include?
It includes the upper abdomen, lower abdomen, both flanks and the lower third of the back. Treating these together in one operation lets Dr Anthony reduce the waist evenly and blend the front, sides and back, so the new shape looks natural from every angle rather than only from the front.
Can Vaser 360 Lipo get rid of a tummy pouch?
It can reduce the fatty part of a pouch and improve the waist. It cannot repair separated stomach muscles or remove excess skin, which are common after pregnancy or large weight loss. If those are the main cause, Dr Anthony will explain what fat removal can and cannot achieve and discuss other options.
Does Vaser 360 Lipo remove visceral fat?
No. Visceral fat lies deep inside the abdomen around the organs and cannot be reached by any liposuction. Vaser 360 Lipo treats the fat layer beneath the skin. Visceral fat responds to weight loss, activity and diet, and reducing it is also good for your general health.
What anaesthetic is used for Vaser 360 Lipo?
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, which numbs the whole treated area while you stay awake. IV sedation is available if you would prefer to be drowsy and relaxed, and its fee is itemised separately in your quote. Most patients go home around an hour after the procedure ends.
Is Vaser 360 Lipo painful?
Expect soreness, tightness and tenderness for the first one to three days, with bruising and swelling. It usually becomes much easier by days five to seven. Prescribed pain relief, regular short walks and pre-planned lymphatic massage all help, and most people describe the discomfort as manageable.
How long do I wear compression after Vaser 360 Lipo?
Usually for three weeks day and night, followed by a further three weeks for around eight hours a day. Compression reduces swelling, supports the skin while it adapts to the new shape and makes moving about more comfortable. Dr Anthony will confirm your exact garment plan at your follow-up appointments.
When will I see the final result?
Early changes show once the swelling starts to go down. Most of the refinement happens between six and twelve weeks, and the final contour can take three to six months to settle. Swelling in the lower abdomen often lingers longest, so it is worth judging the result at the later milestones.
What are the risks of Vaser 360 Lipo?
Risks include bleeding, infection, seroma, contour irregularity, numbness, prolonged swelling, pigmentation change and, rarely, blood clots. Careful assessment, sterile technique, sensible volume limits and good aftercare reduce these risks. Dr Anthony goes through your personal risk profile before you decide whether to go ahead.
How much does Vaser 360 Lipo cost?
Vaser 360 Lipo is priced as a torso procedure, and the current figure is on our price list. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with IV sedation and hospital theatre fees itemised if they apply. Chrysalis Finance is available, and consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices.
Who performs Vaser 360 Lipo at Contoura Medical?
Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), performs every Vaser 360 Lipo himself at Langham Hospital, Marylebone. He trained in NHS plastic surgery and burns units and with Dr Alfredo Hoyos, and has performed more than 1,500 VASER procedures over 14 years of dedicated practice.
