BodyTite

BodyTite is a skin-tightening device that uses radiofrequency energy to safely heat the subdermal layer of the skin, activating collagen production and liquefying fat cells. This process smooths out the appearance of the treated area, tightening the skin and accenting musculature. Age and changes in weight bring loose skin to many different areas of the body. And while diet and exercise can help shed fat and strengthen the underlying muscles, unfortunately, the skin may not respond in the same way. 

Dr. Ali Tehrani can perform BodyTite as its own minimally-invasive procedure or combine it with liposuction. For those interested, please contact your nearest Tehrani Plastic Surgery location. To schedule a personal consultation, complete our inquiry form, or call (760) 240-2444 to book in Apple Valley or La Jolla, CA.

Loose Skin: A Persistent Problem

Loose skin is a common phenomenon that accompanies age, pregnancy, or weight loss. External factors like smoking, diet, stress, sun exposure, and pollution speed up the aging process, ^[1] and unfortunately, loose skin is a natural by-product. But why does this happen?

Collagen keeps our skin smooth and wrinkle-free for most of our adolescence. But over time, its strength diminishes, and our bodies slowly produce less of it. So, existing collagen fibers weaken and lose their tensile strength, causing wrinkles to appear in our complexion. In our mid-to-late twenties, these wrinkles are barely noticeable. But, as we age, our collagen production continues to wane. And by 50, we have lost approximately 30% of our natural collagen supply. ^[2] 

Loose Skin After Liposuction

With over 211,000 procedures performed in 2020, ^[3] liposuction is routinely in the top five most popular cosmetic procedures. This popularity is understandable because liposuction is remarkably effective at minimizing fatty areas in just one simple procedure. 

Many people turn to liposuction after diet and exercise have left them with underwhelming results. However, some patients can see limited results even with state-of-the-art liposuction procedures. Depending on the patient’s natural skin laxity, loose skin might persist after fat has been liposuctioned away. This outcome has led some patients to become dissatisfied with their results after they have fully healed from liposuction. ^[4] 

Radio-Frequency Technology

Loose skin after liposuction is just one of the problems that the creators of BodyTite have found a solution for. The system uses temperature-controlled radiofrequency to target dermal and subcutaneous tissue. This means patients can experience the most effective results without the risk of burns as the temperature remains at a safe yet effective level.

Treatable Areas

How Does BodyTite Work?

The handheld BodyTite device consists of two parallel probes. The bottom probe is inserted beneath the skin and emits thermal energy to the subdermal layers. As the bottom probe moves back and forth underneath the dermis, the top probe regulates the temperature of the tissue. 

The thermal energy liquefies the subcutaneous fatty tissue causing an influx of collagen. ^[5] 

Over the next few weeks, the disrupted fatty tissue is processed out of the body through the lymphatic system, and the new collagen fibers tighten the skin. While some tissue tightening is noticed immediately after the BodyTite procedure, the final results don’t come until weeks later. But, they are well worth waiting for!

Benefits of BodyTite

Whether in conjunction with liposuction or performed on its own, BodyTite is an outstanding procedure that can provide effective results. Some benefits you can expect from BodyTite include:

Non-Surgical Procedure

A BodyTite procedure is minimally invasive and only requires local anesthesia for most patients. This means that there is limited preparation and a less involved procedure, so you will be able to return to your daily routine in no time!  

Short Downtime

Since it is minimally invasive and utilizes only local anesthesia, a BodyTite procedure requires only a short amount of downtime. After the procedure, we will wrap your treated area in a compression garment. You will only have to avoid strenuous activities for the next few days. Over the next few weeks, the fat in the treated area will slowly process out of the body and the skin will tighten. 

A Combined Approach 

Many body contouring procedures exclusively focus on fat loss or skin tightening but few deal with both. This split can lead many to undergo multiple procedures to achieve their desired results. However, with the combined approach of BodyTite, patients can remove unwanted fat and achieve tighter skin after one simple procedure. 

If you are interested in seeing how BodyTite can help you lose fat and achieve tighter contours, please schedule a personal consultation at our offices in La Jolla or Apple Valley. 

Candidates for BodyTite

Patients eligible for BodyTite are those who are at a healthy weight. It is important to note that BodyTite is not a weight loss surgery but rather a body contouring procedure. So, it is imperative to meet the BMI requirements and be at a stable weight by the time of your surgery. Any weight gained after your BodyTite session will diminish your results. 

Personal Consultation

We will ask you to provide some details about your medical history at your personal consultation. Dr. Tehrani has extensive experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery and will also conduct a physical examination of the areas you want to target with BodyTite. At this time, he will note your unwanted fatty areas and examine your skin’s laxity. 

Many patients point out more than one trouble area, and that is completely normal. Depending on your aesthetic preferences, he might recommend other procedures like liposuction or a tummy tuck to better achieve that ideal. 

Your comprehensive treatment plan will address each of your cosmetic concerns and give you an accurate expectation for recovery. Before you leave our care, we will give you a list of preparatory steps to follow in the interim. 

Preparation

To best prepare for your BodyTite procedure, it is best to:

After Your Procedure

After your BodyTite procedure, you will need a few days to focus on rest and recovery. Avoid lifting heavy objects and strenuous activities for the next few days. After a couple of weeks, the collagen network in the treated area will be restored and the underlying fat is processed out of the body. Once the swelling subsides, you will notice that the skin is smoother and tighter. We will note where you are in the healing process during your follow-up appointments. If you have any questions during your recovery, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Other Body Contouring Procedures 

For those with moderate to severe skin laxity in the abdomen, we typically recommend a tummy tuck instead of BodyTite. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin from the abdomen and repairs separated muscles after pregnancy, where indicated. We also offer a range of body contouring procedures for patients who have completed a weight loss journey through bariatric surgery. During your consultation, we will determine if the tightening technology of BodyTite is right for you or if a more involved approach like a tummy tuck or post-bariatric contouring is better suited for you. 

How Much Does BodyTite Cost in La Jolla?

The cost of your BodyTite procedure will depend on the number of areas you have treated and other factors relevant to your specific procedure. We will discuss and determine the cost of your care during your consultation. 

Get in touch with us to book your BodyTite treatment with Dr. Tehrani. Call (760) 240-2444 or complete our simple form to start the process.

Looking for more information about our services? Or deciding between liposuction or a tummy tuck? Read Dr. Tehrani’s blog for more details.

References

1. Krutmann, J., Bouloc, A., Sore, G., Bernard, B. A., & Passeron, T. (2017). The skin aging exposome. Journal of Dermatological Science, 85(3), 152–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2016.09.015
2. Shuster, S., Black, M. M., & McVitie, E. (1975). The influence of age and sex on skin thickness, skin collagen and density. The British journal of dermatology, 93(6), 639–643. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb05113.x
3. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2020). American Society of Plastic Surgeons. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/plastic-surgery-statistics
4. Dixit, V. V., & Wagh, M. S. (2013). Unfavourable outcomes of liposuction and their management. Indian journal of plastic surgery : official publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India, 46(2), 377–392. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0358.118617
5. Diane Irvine Duncan, Nonexcisional Tissue Tightening: Creating Skin Surface Area Reduction During Abdominal Liposuction by Adding Radiofrequency Heating, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 33, Issue 8, November 2013, Pages 1154–1166, https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X13505862