BodyTite™
Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures year in and year out. Dr. Petropoulos now offers radiofrequency-assisted liposuction with two options— BodyTite™ and FaceTite™. The procedure uses radiofrequency energy to liquefy fat (only if necessary) and subsequently tighten the skin in the respective areas such as the abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs.
What is BodyTite™?
BodyTite™ is a body contouring procedure that also provides significant skin tightening. The BodyTite™ system uses a small 18 gage cannula that is inserted through a tiny needle prick hole. Attached to the cannula, but resting atop of the skin, is a round disc. The radiofrequency passes from the internal electrode cannula to the external disc, safely heating the fat and surrounding tissues. The liquefied fat is then suctioned away through the cannula. The RF energy that has heated the dermis layer of the skin causes the skin to contract and tighten, firming the area.
Candidate for BodyTite™
Just about all of us have stubborn pockets of fat, no matter what kind of shape we’re in. Potential patients should be at or near their ideal weight and have stubborn fat pockets that don’t respond to dietary changes or exercise. The best results come with patients who still have good skin elasticity.
Areas Treated with BodyTite™
BodyTite™ is perfect for love handles, the stomach area, inner or outer thighs, upper arms, knees, and even the bra line on the back and also at the arm pit. BodyTite™ can basically be used anywhere liposuction can be performed, but it does so with less tissue trauma because the fat is liquefied by the RF energy. This is less traumatic for tissues when compared to the rigorous back and forth movement of the cannula that is required in traditional liposuction that would previously be necessary to break loose the fat pockets.
Benefits of radiofrequency-assisted liposuction
There are numerous benefits to the combination of RF energy and liposuction used in the BodyTite™/FaceTite™ systems.
Superior body contouring — Because the RF energy liquefies the fat that is then instantly suctioned away, contouring is smoother and avoids the lumpy, irregular appearance that can follow after traditional liposuction.
Skin contraction — The heating that melts the fat simultaneously causes the skin to contract and the body produces new amounts of collagen (the skin’s structural support protein). Liposuction without RF energy doesn’t provide skin contraction.
Controlled directional energy distribution — Because the RF energy transfers from the cannula through the tissue up to the external handpiece, the direction can be precisely controlled. This maximizes the RF energy utilization, while keeping the surrounding tissues safe.
Decreased downtime — Traditional liposuction involves tissue trauma, as the cannula is mechanically moved back and forth under the skin to break up fat pockets. By using RF energy to break down and liquefy fat, the cannula with BodyTite™ gently extracts the fat. This creates far less bruising, swelling, and downtime.
BodyTite™ Procedure
BodyTite™ is performed with local anesthesia. For BodyTite™ we infiltrate a tumescent solution consisting of low dose Lidocaine, and saline solution to numb the area and to constrict the blood vessels. This makes for less bruising. The entry points for this procedure are tiny pin pricks, around 2mm in size, and usually only require a bandaid. They don’t create a scar.
Watch Dr. Anna Petropoulos Discuss BodyTite™, FaceTite™ and Fractora at IMCAS
Scroll to 6:05 for Injectable Radiofrequency treatments FaceTite™ and BodyTite™
What is recovery like after radiofrequency-assisted liposuction?
After your procedure, you’ll wear compression garments on the areas treated with BodyTite™. These usually need to be worn for two weeks to help your body adapt to its new slimmer contours. With both procedures, most patients can usually return to work in a couple days. There might be some slight bruising and swelling that can linger. Pain is minimal but can be managed with ibuprofen.
Is the BodyTite™ Procedure Painful?
BodyTite™ does not involve any pain during the procedure, nor afterwards. We locally numb the treatment areas and then inject a tumescent solution that contains anesthetic. This ensures that you will feel nothing during the procedure. As mentioned above, there is some mild temporary soreness afterwards, but it is not extreme.
Can I Do BodyTite™ in a single session?
The BodyTite™ procedure can be done during a single session, if you so choose but not more than two or three body parts should be addressed on the same day depending on their size and amount of reduction requested.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have areas of stubborn fat and would like to improve your contours, BodyTite™ might be a great option for you. Call (978) 739-9500 to schedule a consultation at our office in Danvers, MA.