The BodyTite Risks That You Should Know Before You Proceed

Introduction

BodyTite has become increasingly popular worldwide one of the most sought-after treatments for body contouring especially for those people who are looking for a treatment that will be able to bridge the gap between non-invasive treatments and open surgery. Through the use of an advanced radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis (RFAL), it will significantly melt the localised fat deposits while at the same time contracting the overlying skin.

 

What Is BodyTite and How Does It Work?

It is basically an advanced body contouring procedure which is specifically designed in melting stubborn fat and best in tightening loose skin at the same time. It heavily relies on RFAL technology which significantly delivers controlled thermal energy precisely where it is highly needed.

The device also works by utilising a specialised dual-probe handpiece. It is a thin internal probe that is inserted beneath your skin via a tiny 2mm puncture while at the same time an external electrode is gliding smoothly across your skin’s surface. As the bipolar radiofrequency energy is passing between the two probes, it will generally act as a uniform thermal field:

• The internal probe will heat the deep fatty tissues up to 65°C which will instantly liquefy any fat cells and will significantly seal small blood vessels in order to reduce any bleeding.
• The external probe on the other hand is responsible for monitoring the surface of your skin temperature which keeps it between 38°C and 40°C. This is to stimulate any massive surge of new collagen and elastin that could possibly cause the skin to contract up to 30–40%.

 

What are the common side effects?

Just like any surgical treatment, your body will naturally experience a predictable inflammatory response as it experiences healing from any treatment. By knowing and understanding the different side effects of BodyTite, you’d be able to set your expectations that can actually save you from any unnecessary anxiety during your healing process.

• Bruising and Swelling: These are very common side effects as the fluid is introduced to the area and tissues are heated. That’s why experiencing moderate swelling and bruising are completely normal. The swelling would usually peak around the 3rd or 4th day and it will gradually fade over 2 to 4 weeks.
• Redness and Tenderness: You might notice that the treated skin will look flushed and feel tender. This is very similar to having a deep sunburn during the first few days.
• Temporary Numbness and Tingling: This could possibly happen as the radiofrequency heat can temporarily irritate the minor sensory nerves in your subdermal layer. This can actually cause the areas to feel numb, hypersensitive, or a may experience a pins-and-needles sensation which would typically be resolved within a few weeks after the treatment.

 

The Potential Risks and Complications of BodyTite

While the risk rate is generally low when the treatment is performed by an expert, there might be significant complications which can only occur if the technology is misused or there has been a neglect to its post-operative care.

 

Infection Risks

While the BodyTite incisions are completely small which is roughly 2mm, they would still bypass the skin’s protective barrier which will provide a doorway for bacteria. This is why an infection can actually develop deep within the treated layers or superficially within the entry points.

 

Burns and Thermal Injury

Since BodyTite relies entirely on the intense radiofrequency heat that is responsible for liquefying fat and shrinking collagen, a thermal injury can be expected and it is the most specific risk.

This actually makes the procedure highly skill-dependent. Because the safety features that are built into the machine are incredibly advanced, but this could only work perfectly and precisely in the hands of an experienced surgeon who has an expert understanding of the tissue impedance and its thermal dynamics.

 

Irregularities of Contour and Scarring

When you want to achieve a smooth and sculpted look, it will definitely require a highly artistic eye and precision with its physical execution.

• Contour Irregularities: This could potentially happen if the RFAL energy is not delivered evenly, or oftentimes if the fat is aspirated asymmetrically. This could possibly leave you with permanent surface undulations or structural asymmetry.
• Scarring: This could possibly happen as the micro-incisions will generally heal into tiny and inconspicuous lines. This will eventually fade from red to pale over 12 to 18 months. However, if you are genetically prone to having keloids, or there’s a friction burn that occurs right at the incision neck where the probe will enter, this could result in scars that could possibly become widened, thickened, and visually obvious.

 

Anesthesia Side Effects

It would actually depend on the size and number of areas that are being addressed, because BodyTite can be performed through local tumescent anesthesia or general anesthesia.

• Local Anesthesia: When it is performed under local anesthesia, it usually carries a lower systemic risk. Although, there are rare toxic reactions to lidocaine which can actually occur if the doses are miscalculated.
• General Anesthesia: When it is performed under general anesthesia, it typically carries standard surgical risks such as nausea, temporary cognitive confusion, chest infections, or deep vein thrombosis. The potential risk of DVT is significantly higher with those people who have unhealthy lifestyles, for example people who smoke, have a high BMI, or oftentimes who remain completely sedentary after their surgery.

 

How to Minimise Any BodyTite Risks

While these common side effects are essentially normal, there are various ways on how to minimise it. Aside from having your treatment done by an expert clinic, you should also take part in the responsibility in minimising it. Here are the following:

 

Choosing a UK-based qualified surgeon

This is the primary thing that you should first do before anything else. By ensuring your provider is a fully qualified plastic surgeon registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and is actually part of the Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery, you can be at peace that your treatment will be safe and successful.

 

Pre-Op Preparation

You must entirely stop smoking and or taking any nicotine for at least 4 to 6 weeks before and after surgery. This is because nicotine can actually constrict blood vessels which directly affects the delay in healing tissues of oxygen as well drastically increasing the risk of having skin necrosis, infection, and worst, severe scarring.You should also stop any intake of blood-thinning supplements because these can actually exacerbate the bruising and post-op bleeding. You should strictly follow your surgeon’s explicit guidance before the treatment.

 

Aftercare Guidelines

It doesn’t stop with the before and during the treatment guidelines. Following post-operative steps can actually determine the 50% of your final result. You should strictly follow wearing your medical-grade compression garment 24/7 precisely during the first 2 to 4 weeks. After that period, you can now transition into daytime-only wearing it. You should also prioritise incorporating light walking in order to keep your blood circulating, keeping yourself deeply hydrated, and as much as possible, you should avoid all strenuous exercise until you have been cleared by your surgeon.

 

The Difference Between BodyTite & Traditional Liposuction

While bodyTite and liposuction have the same goal of reshaping the body’s contours of the body, they significantly differ in their mechanisms.

 

Core Technology and Action

In a traditional liposuction, it is entirely a mechanical procedure. Your surgeon will insert a hollow stainless steel tube a cannula in the targeted area and will move it back and forth using the subcutaneous layer in order to physically break up and vacuum the solid fat deposits in the specific area. On the other hand, BodyTite works completely differently. It heavily relies on RFAL energy which is used through a dual-probe device that significantly delivers controlled thermal energy. This works when the internal probe is passing under the skin in order to heat and pre-liquefy the fat before your surgeon will gently suction out the liquified fat cells.

 

Skin Tightening Capabilities

The primary critical difference of the two heavily lies in how each procedure treats your overlying skin. With the traditional liposuction, it primarily focuses on removing the fat volume. It does not actually have any tightening benefit; but it will rely entirely on your body’s natural skin elasticity in shrinking and bouncing back over to the newly reduced contour. On the other hand, BodyTite works by actively remodelling your skin tissue. The RFAL heat will trigger an immediate collagen production and it will significantly stimulate long-term elastin production which can be achieved up to 30% to 40% tissue contraction.

Related read: The Ultimate Guide to BodyTite Skin Tightening

 

Selecting the Right Approach

If your primary desire is to significantly debulk a larger area and you already have a firm and elastic skin, then the traditional liposuction will remain as the highly effective treatment for you. But, if you are someone who is already close to your target weight but still struggling with some localised fat pockets then BodyTite is the best option and highly recommended for you as it offers a far more comprehensive and dual-action solution compared with the traditional liposuction. Generally, this would highly depend on the current situation of your skin that is why it is very important to have an assessment with your experienced clinic before proceeding to the treatment.