BodyTite in Lansing

BodyTite Vs Liposuction

Everyone is familiar with Liposuction, as it’s one of the most well-known procedures for weight loss available, but with the recent uptick of interest in BodyTite, many patients wonder: which one is best? While only you can decide which procedure you’d prefer, we enjoy providing the key differences between the two so that you can make your best-informed decision.

Technique Differences

Traditional liposuction breaks up and removes the excess fat cells from targeted areas of your body with the assistance of a cannula (a small tube about the size of the tip of a pen) and inserts it underneath the skin. A laser then delivers energy to the fat cells, causing them to break apart, allowing the fat to be gently suctioned out.

BodyTite, on the other hand, will similarly reduce fat with the main difference being the type of energy used to break down the fat cells. Rather than use a laser, Radio-Frequency Assisted Liposuction (RFAL) is utilized to melt fat cells. BodyTite is less invasive than traditional lipo, requires only local anesthesia, and can be performed in a single 15 – 30 minute session, as opposed to several hours.

Skin Tightening Benefits

Here’s what really sets BodyTite apart – the RF energy actually tightens the skin during the procedure! Since traditional liposuction lacks this benefit, it can result in sagging skin after the procedure. BodyTite will also help improve your skin’s laxity, allowing many patients to see 40% firmer skin and more toned results.

Recovery and Downtime

Traditional lipo requires about 7 – 14 days of downtime, with an additional lengthy recovery time to see final results. Compression garments are also typically needed for up to six weeks. Lipo also generally results in uncomfortable bruising and swelling in the treated area, potential deep tissue bruising that can last weeks, and large scars that may never truly fade. Patients will also need about three to nine months before noticing results, with the best results after one year.

Most BodyTite patients only have two to three days of downtime and achieve full recovery within a couple of days. Although you may still need to wear a compression garment, it is normally removed after about two weeks. BodyTite patients can still expect some minor bruising and swelling, but the level of discomfort is greatly reduced. The treatment also leaves minimal scarring (if any) that will fade over time. BodyTite patients usually see results immediately after the procedure, with the best results noticeable after six months.

Keep in mind that with any procedure, results will vary from patient to patient.

Ultimately, if you have any questions or are unsure about what’s best for you, we encourage you to have that discussion with either Dr. Ronan or one of our skilled and highly trained Aestheticians.

Alternative to Arm Lift

Also referred to as a Scarless Arm Lift, the BodyTite arm lift is one of the most popular and effective treatments that BodyTite offers. Unlike a traditional arm lift that involves cutting away loose skin and extra tissue, a BodyTite arm lift focuses on removing excess fat and tightening the skin without large incisions. The treatment uses a special handpiece that makes very tiny cuts in the skin, leaving very little scarring, if any at all!

BodyTite is unique in its ability to perform two critical functions at once – removing stubborn pockets of fat while simultaneously smoothing and toning your upper arms. Dr. Ronan will begin the process by making a small incision, which is about 2-3 mm in width. This allows the cannula of the BodyTite device to be inserted and deliver the radiofrequency energy to generate the heat that targets and dissolves unwanted fat cells, which is then sucked out of the body through the same cannula. While this is occurring, there is also an external electrode that passes electrical energy to the internal cannula to tighten the subdermal tissues for a more uniform result.

The entire procedure typically lasts between 1 to 2 hours and can yield long-lasting results after just one session. A follow-up treatment should be considered about a year after the initial procedure for patients looking to enhance their results.

A BodyTite arm lift can be an excellent option for adults wanting to tackle the issue of sagging, loose skin on their upper arms. It’s important to remember that being a good candidate is also about being prepared (both physically and mentally) for the procedure and having a well-informed understanding of what to expect during the recovery and beyond.

What to Expect on the Day of BodyTite

When it’s time for your BodyTite procedure, you will make yourself comfortable by either sitting or lying down in your reclining chair, depending on what is being treated. An anesthetic gel is then applied to the area to minimize any pain and prevent the RF rays to harm your skin. The treatment begins with some very small incisions at or near the treatment area. We will then infuse the treatment spot with a sterile solution to minimize discomfort and bleeding. Next, a portion of the handheld BodyTite utilizes two RF transmitting probes, one that is inserted into the incision, and kept outside the skin to allow the radiofrequency to adequately dissolve the unwanted fat and tighten your skin. Once completed, a small, thin tube will be inserted to suck out any excess, warmed fat. Finally, the incisions are closed with external sutures and a compression garment is applied.

BodyTite Recovery

You will be able to return home after your treatment, but you can expect some mild pain, bruising, and swelling, so you should consider taking it easy for a week or so. You should feel comfortable returning to your normal routine within a week or so and you should continue to wear your compressive garments around the clock during this time. Depending on the treatment area, downtime can be from a few days up to 10 days. A majority of our patients can see results practically immediately, but the best results are noticeable after 6 months and continue up to 12 months.