Radiofrequency Assisted Liposuction (RFAL)
Serving Fort Collins, Northern Colorado & Cheyenne, and Southeastern Wyoming
A new medical device for removing fat and tightening skin is on the verge of FDA approval. The Body Tite ™ by Invasix uses a bipolar radiofrequency signal to heat fat and overlying skin to 38 degrees centigrade; about the temperature of a person with a fever. Strokes of the clothespin structured handpiece—heated suction cannula inside the fatty layer and a heating thermistor outside on the skin---cause the collagen encasing the fat globules to tighten up, and the skin surface area to shrink. This novel approach—treating the skin/fat complex as a unit—results in the loose “roll” of fat and skin to become reattached to the body, reducing its tendency to jiggle or hang over the waistband of your jeans.
Of course there are limits—If the skin is severely damaged with stretch marks, scars, previous pregnancies, or weight gained then lost, not all of this damage can be reversed. If there is too much excess skin, some of it may need excision. However, the RFAL has been shown to have persistent correction of cellulite, sagging skin in arms and inner thighs, and even improvement of severe “rolls” of fat in the back region. It also helps aging knees, drooping buttocks, and double chins. Results with standard areas such as the abdomen and outer thighs are a “wow”.
Traditional liposuction removes fat only. If your problem is a combination of excess fat and lax skin, liposuction might take away fat, but your skin will look worse; it will sag more. Unless your fat deposit is very small and your skin is young and elastic, liposuction only is not a good procedure for baby boomers with a combination of loose skin and a moderate amount of fat.
This young adult woman had trouble losing weight after having a baby. She had quite a bit of fat plus damaged skin. She declined a tummy tuck since she wanted to have another child someday.
Before RFAL, she had a protruding abdomen that did not respond to diet or exercise. 8 weeks after RFAL , she has a dramatic improvement with abdominal muscle definition.
This fifty-something woman (below) had loose, hanging skin and a small amount of fat in the upper arm region. She was not looking forward to having a scar from her armpit to her elbow. Her results after RFAL (below) show excellent contour with no residual hanging skin.
After
Arms are a difficult area to improve with liposuction, and traditional brachioplasty leaves a significant and somewhat visible scar. Even with skin removal, the character of the remaining aged skin is not changed. RFAL tightens loose, flabby arm skin to a surprising degree. Even in patients with what used to be a clear need for skin removal, dramatic improvement with skin tightening and “flab correction” can be achieved with RFAL.
Inner thighs are another difficult area to improve with liposuction alone. Many women have flabby thighs that rub together when they walk. The skin is frequently slack. Thigh tucks leave big scars in awkward places. The RFAL has great advantages in both tightening the skin and removing fat. I have not done a thigh tuck or a brachioplasty since I got the Body Tite machine.
Cellulite is another almost impossible problem. With the correct technique, the RFAL can correct the irregular skin texture and decrease cellulite in many cases. The photo below shows a patient who had RFAL of the thighs and lower buttocks. The result is at 6 months.
The RFAL can create pretty contours not previously possible because of the skin/fat unit tightening effect. In areas prone to “muffin tops”, it is important to reattach the “roll” to the body so that it no longer hangs over. Both lower abdomens and flanks are areas where the Body Tite can correct a mild to moderate flabby overhang.
This young adult woman complained of a “boxy” contour in the flank region. 2 months after RFAL (right), she has a much better contour and is able to wear low rise jeans with confidence.
To learn more about the advantages of Body Tite or other procedures we offer at Plastic Surgical Associates, please schedule a consultation at our Fort Collins, Colorado office.
970.493.7445
1701 E. Prospect Rd.
Fort Collins, CO 80525
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The Plastic Surgical Associates of Fort Collins has created this website as an informational resource for those who want to know more about cosmetic surgery. The information on this web page should not be considered formal medical advice. If you would like more information, please schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Diane Duncan, our cosmetic surgeon in our Fort Collins office. She is a member of the ASPS and ASAPS and is a leader in Lipolysis. She is also active in the Fort Collins community.
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