Dr. Eric Barker
October 15, 2025
Dr. Barker earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. He then completed his combined training in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Rush University Medical Center and John H. Stroger, Jr. (Cook County) Hospital in Chicago, IL. Dr. Barker was able to train under distinguished breast reconstructive surgeon Dr. Anuja Antony, and prestigious cosmetic surgeon Dr. John Q. Cook.
A Gentler Experience Starts With the Right Technique
One of the most common concerns among patients considering liposuction is discomfort—during the procedure and in the days that follow. Understandably, no one wants to endure unnecessary pain for the sake of aesthetic improvement. At Peak Plastic Surgery, we believe that transformation should come with comfort, not compromise.
Dr. Eric Barker answers this question every day in consultations: how much discomfort should I expect with VASER liposuction? The short answer is far less than with traditional liposuction methods. VASER technology was specifically developed to reduce trauma to the body, allowing fat to be removed with liposuction with greater ease and less impact on the surrounding tissues
Pain is inherently subjective, and each patient’s experience will differ. However, thanks to advanced preoperative protocols, real-time comfort management, and minimally invasive surgical techniques, the typical recovery from a VASER procedure is not only smoother but also significantly faster.
More importantly, our VASER liposuction procedures are performed in a state of the art, in-office surgical suite where patients remain awake and comfortable throughout. With 1000’s of awake procedures performed under local, we’ve proven time and again that this experience can be calm, empowering, and surprisingly tolerable—regardless of your pain threshold.
Awake, Comfortable, and In Control During Your Procedure
At Peak Plastic Surgery Center, we take pride in offering a surgical experience that keeps patients awake, comfortable, and in control. Traditional liposuction often requires general anesthesia, which carries higher risks and a longer recovery. In contrast, VASER liposuction with Dr. Barker here at Peak Plastic Surgery Center is gentle enough to be performed with local anesthesia, oral anxiolytics and Pronox (a self-administered nitrous oxide system commonly referred to as “laughing gas”), allowing patients to remain comfortable and relaxed without losing awareness.
Every patient is pre-treated with medication to ensure adequate pain control and reduced anxiety. The use of Pronox gives patients the ability to manage their own comfort throughout the procedure, with no risk of overdose. This level of control results in a lower-stress environment and contributes to significantly improved overall patient satisfaction.
Dr. Barker has performed 1000’s of awake VASER liposuction procedures using this approach and has never had a patient unable to complete their surgery due to discomfort. Whether a patient has a low or high pain tolerance, high or low anxiety at baseline, the technique adapts to meet their needs.
One recent patient shared that she expected a “grit-your-teeth” kind of pain but was surprised by how comfortable and easy the process felt. She walked out of the office following her procedure feeling clear-headed, calm, and even energized. The experience helped her redefine what it means to undergo a body transformation—and made her feel empowered for her recovery rather than anxious.
Less Trauma Means Less Pain in Recovery
The real differentiator between VASER liposuction and traditional liposuction lies in what happens beneath the skin. Traditional liposuction involves manually tearing fat from the surrounding tissue, which creates trauma, swelling, and more intense postoperative pain. VASER, however, uses ultrasonic energy to emulsify the fat before it’s removed with liposuction. This means the fat is essentially melted away from the surrounding structural layers, reducing the stress placed on the surrounding nerves and tissues.
This process directly reduces inflammation and trauma, which are key drivers of pain expectations following liposuction surgery. As Dr. Barker explains, the fat is first “prepped” with the VASER probe, which gently separates it from the surrounding structural tissues. Then, a power-assisted liposuction cannula is used to extract the fat with much less force and trauma. Because the fat has already been detached from the connective tissue, there’s less resistance and therefore less discomfort.
Patients who undergo VASER liposuction frequently report needing little to no prescription pain medication following their procedure. In fact, at our clinic, the use of opioid medications following your procedure is minimal. Avoiding these medications also prevents unwanted side effects such as constipation, bloating, and drowsiness, all of which can delay recovery.
One patient who had previously undergone traditional liposuction at another practice recalled feeling sore and swollen for nearly a month. After undergoing VASER for her second treatment to address concerns with contour irregularities following her initial procedure, she was back to work in three days with only mild discomfort that Tylenol/ibuprofen easily controlled. This kind of contrast speaks volumes about how VASER improves the healing journey when having a liposuction procedure.
A Quicker Return to Life as You Know It
Most patients want to know not just how painful a procedure will be, but how long they’ll be sidelined from their daily lives. At Peak Plastic Surgery Center, we tell patients to expect a return to normal activities in typically two to three days following VASER liposuction. This rapid return to daily activities is possible because the technology causes less tissue disruption and bleeding, which accelerates healing and minimizes downtime and discomfort.
Of course, patients in physically demanding professions may need a few extra days, but the average downtime is far shorter than with traditional liposuction. According to aesthetic research, most patients who undergo VASER liposuction report lower pain scores, faster healing, and earlier visible results.
Dr. Barker ensures that each patient knows what to expect based on their body type, treatment area, and job demands. During the initial consultation, a detailed recovery plan is provided to make sure the return to work or parenting or even exercise is as seamless as possible.
One patient who worked a desk job was surprised to find she could return to work by the third day after her procedure with minimal discomfort. Another, a fitness coach, waited five days before resuming light movement and was able to instruct her clients with a hands-on approach by the second week. These examples illustrate how VASER liposuction not only reshapes the body but also respects the rhythm of your lifestyle.
VASER Reduces Discomfort Without Compromising Results
Discomfort during and after surgery doesn’t have to be the price you pay for aesthetic improvement. VASER liposuction offers a modern, patient-friendly alternative that reduces pain without compromising outcomes. By emulsifying fat before removal with liposuction and reducing the trauma of surgery, VASER allows you to heal faster, use fewer medications, and enjoy a smoother transition back to daily life.
Dr. Barker has seen firsthand how this technology has transformed the liposuction experience and results. Having previously used other modalities, he now relies exclusively on VASER prior to performing liposuction because it consistently produces better results with less discomfort for his patients.
If you’ve been hesitant about undergoing body contouring due to pain concerns, VASER liposuction may be the solution you’ve been waiting for. It’s a powerful, precise, and patient-conscious approach to looking and feeling your best.
Explore more about VASER liposuction and body procedures available at our Denver practice, or contact us to schedule a consultation. Our team is here to answer your questions and ensure your experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible.
