There are numerous non-surgical treatment options used to achieve skin-tightening effects in the UK. Most of these treatments have been found to achieve only modest levels of skin tightening. We continue to see excellent results from both non-surgical laser fat reduction and laser skin tightening. Still, it is rare to offer a treatment that combines fat reduction and skin tightening in a single session. It has also been unheard of until now to provide a non-surgical therapy that can be combined with surgical procedures to deliver more significant skin-tightening benefits while also reducing scar burden and promoting quicker recovery.
The answer is radio frequency technology using BodyTite for both nonsurgical skin tightening and fat reduction.
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What is BodyTite?
Liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedure in the UK. The proportion of the population suffering from obesity has significantly increased. It has become a significant cosmetic concern, as well as placing a considerable strain on the national health care system. The rise of social media has accentuated this ongoing trend, leading to an increasing proportion of younger, healthier patients interested in liposuction or other body-contouring procedures.
The increase in both non-invasive and minimally invasive body contouring procedures, such as BodyTite and Morpheus8, has made body contouring more than just a procedure aimed at middle-aged females who have completed their families. There have been several revolutionary advancements in the field of body contouring, including the more accessible option of local anaesthesia outpatient treatment and advances in skin-tightening techniques that eliminate the need for more invasive excisional surgery.
One of the main goals of a body contouring procedure is to remove excess fat while safely tightening the skin. On top of this, it is optimal to perform such procedures under local anaesthetic in an outpatient setting, with minimal bruising and swelling, leading to a quicker recovery and minimal to no restriction on normal activities of daily living.
Newer liposuction techniques include laser-assisted liposuction (SmartLipo) and ultrasound-assisted liposuction (Vaser), which have been used with varying levels of success. The disadvantage of the VASER lipo technique is the variable extent of skin tightening, often with a significant risk of skin and soft-tissue burns due to the large amounts of thermal energy delivered to the soft tissues. Laser lipo under local anaesthetic is an ideal body-contouring technique for patients with localised fat deposits and good skin elasticity.
The application of radio-frequency energy in medicine is a tried-and-tested technology used for many decades across many branches of medicine, from varicose vein treatment to ophthalmology. Radio-frequency energy delivered via the BodyTite platform significantly improves skin tightening compared with laser skin tightening and ultrasound techniques, safely and effectively. With BodyTite and Morpheus8, radio-frequency energy is applied directly to the target tissues via a specially designed internal probe positioned in the subcutaneous fat, and an external probe that makes contact with the skin’s surface. This creates a thermal sandwich effect, with all the soft tissue between the internal and external electrodes being treated with radio-frequency energy to achieve maximal skin contraction.
The soft tissue is treated with the highest level of safety. It allows efficient energy delivery to various body regions affected by mild to moderate skin laxity. The BodyTite system alone can achieve up to 32% skin contraction. This compares very favourably with other types of liposuction, which can achieve no more than 15% skin contraction.
The ability of BodyTite to achieve substantial skin and soft tissue contraction makes the procedure applicable to a much broader population of potential patients who may not have significant skin laxity severe enough to require a traditional excisional procedure, such as an abdominoplasty. Still, if they had liposuction alone, they may develop worse skin laxity, as liposuction is not a treatment for skin tightening.
At Centre for Surgery, the BodyTite procedure is known as a ‘treatment gap’ procedure. This term describes the large number of patients who fall into the gap between not having skin laxity severe enough to require a skin excision procedure, but not good enough for liposuction alone.
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Several body areas are ideally suited for treatment with radio-frequency-assisted liposuction, or BodyTite. These areas include the arms, inner thighs, abdomen, male chest, lower face, and neck. These are classic areas that do not get optimal results with liposuction alone — using BodyTite results in greater skin retraction than traditional liposuction alone. Previously, it was common to perform aggressive superficial liposuction beneath the skin to achieve soft-tissue contraction. This technique carried several risks, including lumpiness and irregularity. BodyTite can achieve smooth, consistent, and repeatable results with excellent skin contraction, without the risks of superficial liposuction.
This is a minimally invasive alternative to other procedures such as abdominoplasty, gynecomastia, arm lift or thigh lift.
How does BodyTite work?
BodyTite has been offered at Centre for Surgery in our Baker Street clinic for several years, and all our surgeons agree that the treatment has been truly revolutionary in its ability to produce significant skin tightening without the need for more invasive surgery, such as a tummy tuck or a facelift. BodyTite by Inmode utilises tried-and-tested radio frequency technology, applied beneath the skin, to target the dermis. Subdermal coagulation stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin, resulting in increased dermal thickness and improved skin quality and elasticity. Achieving up to 75% tissue reduction is often possible after a single BodyTite treatment. This has led our surgeons to describe this treatment as a ‘one and done’ procedure, similar to surgical procedures such as liposuction, due to its permanent, long-term effects. The results can be truly astounding for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity, all without the need for more invasive surgery.
The real strength of this treatment lies in its ability to be performed on its own or combined with a surgical procedure, such as a tummy tuck, arm lift, or thigh lift. In many cases, combining BodyTite with surgical procedures means a more conservative skin removal, as the entire procedure can be converted into a mini-procedure. BodyTite means we can perform more mini tummy tucks for women with good muscle tone who would otherwise have had to have a full tummy tuck when BodyTite is not included in treatment.
For many patients who desire mild to moderate skin tightening and combined fat reduction in commonly affected areas such as the abdomen, thighs, back, and arms, most surgeons will likely choose to use BodyTite without surgical skin removal.
Liposuction combined with BodyTite
In many cases, for patients who desire more dramatic improvement or have more significant excess fat deposits, it may be better to combine BodyTite with liposuction to contour and reshape the body. Liposuction is carried out with powered cannulas and is known as PAL lipo or Microaire. Combining liposuction with BodyTite can, in many cases, match the results previously achievable only with more invasive excisional surgery, such as an abdominoplasty.
For patients who choose to have liposuction as a treatment on its own, there is a potential risk of residual skin laxity when the skin is not surgically removed. It is a common issue among those with pre-existing skin laxity or older patients, who often experience a natural reduction in skin elasticity with age. In this case, the best treatment would be to combine BodyTite to remove excess fat and simultaneously tighten the skin, contouring more effectively. Of course, every patient is different, with unique needs and preferences. Still, with expert advice from one of our surgeons, you may be an ideal candidate for BodyTite, which could save you time and hassle compared to a potentially more invasive procedure.
Some patients commonly combine BodyTite with a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, can beautifully contour the abdomen and flanks for patients seeking dramatic improvements in the shape and contour of their abdomen, and can simultaneously tighten the weakened abdominal musculature due to pregnancy and childbirth. In virtually all cases, weakened abdominal muscles can only be effectively addressed with surgery (rectus plication). However, skin tightening in adjacent areas can be effectively performed with BodyTite to enhance the results of a tummy tuck.
The benefits of BodyTite do not end there. BodyTite can even be combined with some of our most popular procedures, such as breast augmentation, when patients are keen to increase the volume in their breasts while also wanting to get rid of that annoying bra bulge, which has proven resistant to diet and exercise.
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What does BodyTite involve?
BodyTite is a procedure well-suited to outpatient treatment under local anaesthesia. However, it may be better to have the treatment carried out under general anaesthesia or IV sedation for larger areas or when combined with other procedures. Once the local anaesthetic has been injected into the area requiring treatment, tiny incisions will be made through the skin, through which the BodyTite probe will be inserted to apply radio-frequency energy.
The BodyTite cannula is unique in that it features two probes. The thinner end is the one inserted under the skin, with the larger probe sitting on top. Applying radio-frequency energy between the two probes generates controlled thermal energy, leading to the liquefaction of fat cells and ‘subdermal coagulation’. This tissue effect results in the production of collagen and elastin, leading to skin contraction and skin tightening. The amount of energy applied to the tissues will depend on the amount of pre-existing skin laxity. Those with more significant skin laxity may require higher energy settings for more effective tissue tightening.
The BodyTite procedure takes, on average, 1 to 3 hours, depending on the number of body areas being treated. The treatment duration will be longer when BodyTite is combined with a tummy tuck or facelift.
What is BodyTite recovery like?
Compared with more invasive treatments such as liposuction or abdominoplasty, BodyTite requires much less downtime. However, this will depend on whether BodyTite was performed as a standalone procedure or combined with surgical skin excision.
When BodyTite is performed as a single treatment, it is normal to expect 3 to 5 days of downtime. It is common to experience mild discomfort in the treatment area, with associated bruising and swelling. The area may feel slightly tender to the touch, and there may be temporary numbness, which will improve with time. Most patients can start gradual exercise about one to 2 weeks after the procedure. However, it is important to avoid strenuous exercise for up to 6 weeks following the procedure.
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Combination treatment of surgical skin excision with BodyTite will result in a more extended downtime of up to 7 days, which patients will need to take into account when planning time off work.
When can I expect to see BodyTite results?
The appearance of the final results after BodyTite treatment often depends on whether you had BodyTite as a standalone procedure or combined with a surgical procedure, such as a tummy tuck. This is for patients with BodyTite combined with liposuction or tummy tuck surgery. However, results will be seen straight away. It will take longer to see your final results because of prolonged bruising and swelling. The good news is that the results will continue to improve over the next 3 to 4 months as initial swelling settles and the body’s healing process kicks in.
The skin-tightening benefits of BodyTite continue to improve over time as the underlying collagen remodels. It is not uncommon to see results improve over 3 to 6 months following treatment with BodyTite, as the skin contracts and tightens.
Are BodyTite results permanent?
The results of BodyTite treatment should be seen as a long-term solution. In many cases, it may be permanent if patients maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as eating sensibly and exercising regularly. However, everyone will continue to age, and ageing leads to a gradual increase in skin laxity over time; this worsening of skin laxity will be much less than for patients who have had no treatment at all.
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