BodyTite 

BodyTite is a skin-tightening technology that uses radiofrequency technology 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 cause skin sagging in many different areas of the body. While diet and exercise can help strengthen the underlying muscles, unfortunately, the skin doesn’t respond to these factors. Robert G. Bonillas MD can perform BodyTite as its own minimally-invasive procedure or combine it with liposuction. When performed in tandem with liposuction, patients see tighter contours and slimmer curves after fully recovering from their procedure. 

If you are interested in a BodyTite procedure, please call Scottsdale Plastics at (480) 245-6380 or fill out an inquiry form for more information.

Before and After Photos

View More Photos

Loose Skin

Loose skin is a common phenomenon that accompanies age, pregnancy, or weight gain. Factors like smoking, diet, stress, sun exposure, and pollution exacerbate the aging process, ^[1] and loose skin is a natural by-product. New cells replace old ones approximately every 27 days. And deep in our dermis, fibroblast cells produce strong, tensile collagen fibers that create the internal scaffolding of the skin. These fibers bear the weight of a growing body, and fibroblast cells healthily supply new fibers to repair and replace damaged ones. Collagen keeps our skin smooth and wrinkle-free for most of our adolescence. But over time, its strength and abundance diminishes. 

Like the slowing of all other body systems with age, our skin’s fibroblast cells slowly produce less collagen over time. 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, collagen production continues to wane. In fact, by the age of 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 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. Depending on the patient’s natural skin laxity, loose skin might persist after the fat cells have 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

BodyTite uses temperature-controlled radiofrequency to target dermal and subcutaneous tissue. The handheld BodyTite device consists of two parallel probes. The bottom probe is inserted subcutaneously and emits thermal energy to the subdermal skin layers. As the bottom probe moves back and forth underneath the dermis, the top probe regulates the temperature of the tissue. 

Patients can experience the most effective results without the risk of burns as the temperature remains at a safe yet effective level. The thermal energy liquefies the subcutaneous fat, causing an influx of collagen in the dermal cells. ^[5] After the BodyTite session, 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 will come in the weeks that follow. 

Benefits

Whether used in conjunction with liposuction or performed on its own, BodyTite is an outstanding procedure that provides effective skin-tightening 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 extensive 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 course of 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 different types of body contouring procedures exclusively focus on fat loss or skin tightening but not always both. This split can lead many to undergo multiple procedures to achieve their desired results. However, with the combined approach of BodyTite, patients can see a loss of unwanted fat and tighter skin after one simple procedure. 

Many Treatable Areas

We can treat many different areas with BodyTite, including:

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 Scottsdale. 

Candidates

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. Patients eligible for BodyTite are those who are at a healthy weight. Any weight gained after your BodyTite session will diminish your results. 

Personal Consultation

If this is your first time with us, we will begin with a brief new patient intake interview and a physical examination. Dr. Bonillas will note your unwanted fatty areas and examine your skin’s elasticity. Then, he will discuss your desired results with you. Many patients point out more than one trouble area. And, depending on your aesthetic preferences, he might recommend other procedures like liposuction or a tummy tuck to better achieve that ideal. After your meeting, he will configure all of this information into a comprehensive treatment plan. This plan will address each of your cosmetic concerns and give you an accurate idea of what to expect during your 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:

Recovery

After your BodyTite procedure, you will need a couple of days to focus on rest and recovery. Avoid lifting heavy objects and strenuous activities for the next few days. We will wrap your treatment area in a compression garment. Be sure to keep this on at all times. Continue to avoid taking blood-thinning medications. If you need help with pain management, one of our nurses will assist you. 

Results

After a couple of weeks, the collagen network in the treated area is restored and the underlying fat is processed out of the body, resulting in a smoother, slimmer contour. 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 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 other body contouring procedures for patients to choose from. 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 alternative body contouring procedure is better suited for you. 

How Much Does BodyTite Cost in Scottsdale?

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. Bonillas. Call (480) 245-6380 to start the process.

Looking for more information about our services? Deciding between liposuction or a tummy tuck? Read Dr. Bonillas’s Beauty Talk 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