Removing excess and stubborn fat through advanced procedures is an effective way to achieve the body contour you desire. Traditional liposuction has long been a gold standard for body sculpting, but new innovations like BodyTite offer compelling advantages. As you explore which treatment is best for your case, it is helpful to understand the two.
Dr. Robert Bonillas specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery to help a vast array of patients achieve their goals. He leads Scottsdale Plastics with a goal to deliver patients their ideal results and instill body confidence through each and every procedure. If you are seeking to enhance your natural body contours, contact us online or call our office at (480) 245-6380 to explore which procedure is ideal for you!
About Traditional Liposuction
Traditional liposuction, or suction-assisted lipectomy, is one of the most frequently performed aesthetic surgical procedures worldwide. It involves the reduction of localized amounts of adipose tissue in specific areas of the body. (1) This procedure utilizes vacuum suction to remove subcutaneous adipose tissue in certain areas. Liposuction can address stubborn fat in the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck, and other areas of the body, providing an adaptive and flexible solution for total-body recontouring.
About BodyTite
BodyTite is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to efficiently melt fat for easier removal while simultaneously targeting skin. Although traditional liposuction is effective for fat removal, it can sometimes leave the treated area lax and “deflated.” Radiofrequency is an effective tool that treats most skin laxity with significant aesthetic results, which allows patients to remove fat while tightening the skin to newly reduced contours. More importantly, this often eliminates the lead for a surgical excision or lift procedure. Like traditional liposuction, BodyTite targets the abdomen and flanks, upper arms, thighs and knees, upper back, and more areas of the body that contain stubborn fat. (2) Additionally, the thermal energy of radiofrequency triggers the production of new collagen, which firms the skin over time.
Dr. Bonillas offers BodyTite through the IgniteRF platform. This advanced treatment device allows him to perform BodyTite, the enhanced BodyTite Turbo, and QuantumRF, an innovative skin tightening treatment that enhances body contouring outcomes.
Benefits
Liposuction and BodyTite procedures share many similarities in their ability to remove unwanted fat, though they also have some key differences.
Liposuction:
- Removes stubborn fat cells permanently
- Improves body contours
- Enhances self-confidence
BodyTite:
- Melts and removes fat
- Contracts underlying fibrous tissue
- Stimulates collagen and elastin production
- Requires minimal downtime
- Reduces the risk of bumpy or irregular surfaces
Candidates
If you are frustrated by stubborn deposits of fat and wish to enhance your body contours, liposuction or BodyTite can be an ideal solution. It is important that you first be at a stable, maintainable weight. Neither liposuction nor BodyTite is a weight loss solution, they are body sculpting procedures. To qualify for treatment, you should be in good general health, not use nicotine, and hold realistic expectations for your results. Additionally, you will see better outcomes if you have good skin elasticity.
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation, Dr. Bonillas will review your medical history, listen to your treatment goals, and help you explore your options. He will also closely evaluate your areas of concern, specifically noting your troublesome fat and present skin laxity. With this information, he will recommend either BodyTite or traditional liposuction, explaining the differences and helping you make a decision that aligns with your comfort, preferences, and final goals. After gathering the necessary information, he will create your customized treatment plan. If you are ready to learn more about which procedure is right for you, contact us online or call our office at (480) 245-6380 to schedule your personal consultation.
Preparation
Effectively preparing for your liposuction or BodyTite ensures a smooth procedure and optimal results. Depending on your health standing, treatment details, and final goals, Dr. Bonillas may have you:
- Cease smoking and nicotine use several weeks prior
- Avoid blood thinning medications and supplements
- Optimize your hydration levels
- Arrange transportation back home after procedure
- Organize support from a caregiver for at least 48 hours after your procedure
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to your appointment
Procedure
Although both liposuction and BodyTite deliver similar results, the procedures vary in technique. Treatment generally unfolds as follows:
Liposuction
At the beginning of your procedure, Dr. Bonillas will mark the target treatment areas, and you will receive general anesthesia to eliminate any discomfort during your procedure. Next, Dr. Bonillas will create tiny incisions near the target areas and inject a sterile tumescent fluid into the fat to limit bleeding, numb tissues, and swell fat cells for easier removal. He will then insert a thin tube called a cannula and employ a back-and-forth motion to loosen and remove the fat cells. A surgical vacuum or syringe attaches to the cannula to suction the fat cells out of your body. Once Dr. Bonillas achieves your ideal contour and removes fat, he will close the incisions, dress the site, and apply a compression garment to reduce swelling.
BodyTite
At the beginning of your procedure, Dr. Bonillas will draw mapping lines on the skin to guide treatment, and you will receive local anesthesia to numb the treatment zone, often alongside mild sedation. Next, he will create tiny entry points on the skin where he will insert a specialized internal cannula beneath the skin, while a matching external electrode glides across the skin surface. This delivers controlled radiofrequency heat that liquefies fat cells and stimulates collagen contraction in the deep dermal layers. As the fat melts, it is suctioned away, and the simultaneous collagen contraction will tighten the skin to the new contours. Lastly, Dr. Bonillas will close the incisions, dress the treatment area, and apply a compression garment to assist with recovery.
Recovery
Recovering from BodyTite requires about one to three days of downtime, with most patients returning to their desk jobs or light activities after three to five days. You will likely experience mild soreness, swelling, and bruising that will subside after the first week. You must wear your compression garments for about two to four weeks to support healing and skin contraction, and you must also avoid strenuous workouts and heavy lifting for about two weeks.
For liposuction recovery, the total downtime will be about 7 to 14 days. You will notice slightly more discomfort and bruising and heavier swelling that usually takes longer to resolve, so you must avoid physical activity for a month or longer.
Results
The results from liposuction and BodyTite differ slightly. BodyTite will contract connective tissue and stimulate collagen while reducing fat and tightening skin. Traditional liposuction will remove fat without any skin-tightening effects. It may be more effective for removing larger volumes of fat, but having good skin elasticity is vital for avoiding laxity. Whichever procedure you decide to move forward with, you will notice a slimmer body contour, a decrease in frustrating fat, and long-lasting results that will increase your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Cost of Liposuction or BodyTite in Scottsdale
The total cost of your liposuction or BodyTite procedure will vary depending on the scale of the procedure, your personal concerns, the procedure you select, and more. Dr. Bonillas will provide you with a detailed cost outline during your consultation, and you can explore available financing options during this time. If you are ready to enhance your body contours, contact us online or call our office directly at (480) 245-6380 to learn more!
FAQ
What are the main differences between liposuction and BodyTite procedures?
The main difference between liposuction and BodyTite is that liposuction physically removes stubborn fat cells, while BodyTite uses radiofrequency energy to melt fat while also tightening the skin.
Can you combine liposuction and BodyTite procedures?
Yes, you can combine liposuction and BodyTite procedures in the same treatment session to further remove fat and tighten the skin at the same time. Combining these procedures is ideal, as liposuction removes bulk fat, while BodyTite smooths the area and prevents loose skin.
Can you combine liposuction and BodyTite procedures with other treatments?
Absolutely, you can combine BodyTite and liposuction with many other surgical and nonsurgical treatments such as fat grafting, a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, a Brazilian Butt Lift, collagen-boosting treatments such as Morpheus8, and more.
How much do liposuction and BodyTite procedures cost?
The total cost of your liposuction and/or BodyTite procedures varies depending on your overall goals, the amount of fat Dr. Bonillas removes, and more. Dr. Bonillas will provide you with a detailed cost outline during your personal consultation.
Can BodyTite remove large amounts of fat?
It can, but traditional liposuction may be more effective at large-scale fat removal. Once most of the fat is removed, BodyTite can make precise adjustments and tighten the skin. Dr. Bonillas will help you explore these options during your consultation.
Are there any other ways I can tighten skin after liposuction or BodyTite?
Yes! Non-surgical collagen-stimulating treatments such as Morpheus8 offer effective ways to further tighten skin post-liposuction.
References
- Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. 2022. Accessed September 2, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
- Hurwitz D, Smith D. Treatment of overweight patients by radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL) for aesthetic reshaping and skin tightening. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012;36(1):62-71. doi:10.1007/s00266-011-9783-z