BodyTite: A Solution for Skin Laxity after Liposuction

Limitations of Traditional Liposuction

Liposuction has been a popular procedure for people looking to get rid of stubborn fat for decades, and for a good reason – it works! I’ve performed hundreds of liposuction procedures over the years, but as with any surgical procedure, liposuction has its limitations.

First, let’s talk about how liposuction works. During the procedure, I make small incisions in the treatment area and insert a thin tube called a cannula. Using back and forth motions, I break up the fat cells and suction them out of the body. It’s a straightforward process, but there’s one key factor that can make or break the outcome: skin elasticity.

When fat is removed from an area, we’re creating empty space beneath the skin. In an ideal world, the skin would simply contract and conform to the new contours, leaving you with a smooth, taut surface. But for many people, especially those over the age of, say, 30 or who have undergone significant weight changes, the skin has lost some of its elasticity. It’s like a rubber band that’s been stretched out – it just doesn’t snap back the way it used to.

This is where the limitations of traditional liposuction come into play. If your skin doesn’t have enough elasticity, you may be left with loose, rippled or sagging skin after the procedure. Certainly not what we want.

Another factor that can impact skin elasticity is pregnancy. During pregnancy, the skin stretches to accommodate the growing baby, and while it’s designed to bounce back after delivery, this process isn’t always perfect. Many women find that their skin just doesn’t return to its pre-pregnancy state, especially in areas like the abdomen and thighs.

So, what can be done about this? In the past, options were limited. We could perform more extensive procedures like tummy tucks – abdominoplasties or body lifts to remove excess skin, but these surgeries come with longer recovery times and more significant scarring. Alternatively, we could advise patients to focus on non-surgical options like radiofrequency treatments or ultrasound therapy to help tighten the skin over time, but these approaches can have limited and varied results.

That’s whyI was particularly interested when I first learned about BodyTite, a technology designed for use alongside liposuction to address skin laxity. It provides an option for patients seeking skin tightening in conjunction with liposuction, without requiring additional surgical procedures.

What is BodyTite?

If you’re like most people considering liposuction, you’re probably wondering what sets BodyTite apart from other treatments. Well, let’s have look at this question together.

BodyTite is a technology that combines liposuction with radiofrequency energy to not only remove unwanted fat but also tighten the skin in the treated area. It’s a less invasive procedure that can be performed under local anaesthesia or light sedation, depending on the extent of the treatment.

So, how does it work? The BodyTite device consists of two parts: a thin probe which is inserted beneath the skin, and an external electrode that sits on the skin’s surface. As I move the cannula through the treatment area, the device emits radiofrequency energy. This energy flows between the probe and the external electrode, heating the skin and underlying tissues to a precise, controlled temperature.

Now, I know what you might be thinking – “Heat? Near my skin? That sounds scary!” However, the BodyTite technology includes features designed to monitor and control temperature during treatment, helping to minimise the risk of overheating or tissue damage. The temperature is regulated to support effective skin tightening outcomes.

So, what exactly does this heating process do? When the skin and underlying tissues are heated to the right temperature, it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin – two essential proteins that give our skin its firmness and elasticity. As we age, our bodies naturally produce less of these proteins, which is why our skin tends to become looser and less resilient over time.

By helping with collagen and elastin production, BodyTite helps to counteract this natural ageing process. The heat also causes the existing collagen fibres in the skin to contract, providing an immediate tightening effect. Over the weeks and months following the procedure, the skin continues to tighten and firm up as new collagen is laid down.

One of the things I like about BodyTite is that it allows me to customise the treatment to each patient’s unique needs. I can adjust the depth, duration, and intensity of the radiofrequency energy to ensure optimal results for each patient. It’s also important to mention that the BodyTite device provides real-time feedback on skin temperature and impedance, allowing for careful monitoring during the procedure to help manage treatment parameters. 

Compared to traditional liposuction alone, BodyTite offers a more multifaceted solution by addressing both excess fat and skin laxity in a single procedure.

Of course, as with any surgical procedure, BodyTite isn’t right for everyone. Good candidates are typically those with mild to moderate skin laxity and sufficient skin thickness to tolerate the radiofrequency energy. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your specific concerns and goals to determine whether BodyTite is the optimal approach for you.