BodyTite Liposuction

In the 1980s dermatologist Jeffrey Klein recognized that removal of excess fat via liposuction came with two major risks: anesthesia and bleeding. He discovered that both of these risks could be mitigated by injecting the area of excess fat with a numbing solution that contained a small amount of epinephrine that would constrict the blood vessels. By doing so patients could remain awake and comfortable while fat cells were removed, and recovery involved a minimal amount of bleeding. Dr. Klein spent many years in Europe perfecting his technique, and once perfected he introduced the rest of the world to his technique. It continues to gain widespread popularity around the globe.

Step 1: Numbing

The word “tumescent” means to become swollen. This is what will occur in the first step of the process. Dr. Wheeler will make a few small incisions and then use a narrow cannula to inject a mixture of lidocaine, saline, and adrenaline into the fat under your skin. As the solution spreads and settles it will numb the area while also helping to loosen the fat cells to be removed. Depending on the area being treated it might be a small amount of solution (250-500 ml) or a larger amount (a few liters). Don’t worry. The solution doesn’t stay there. As the fat is being aspirated the solution will be sucked out, too.

Step 2: BodyTite

BodyTite produces a skin-tightening effect through radiofrequency technology. It uses two probes: one that goes on top of the skin and one that goes underneath the skin. These probes provide a very controlled heating of the skin to temperatures that we simply cannot achieve with other technologies including most lasers. When the skin is heated to these temperatures there are two very important things that happen. First, the fibers that have been stretched and loosened over time will shrink and tighten up. Second, excess fat will be destroyed and will be removed by the aspiration part of the process.

Step 3: Aspirating

Aspiration of the fat cells. Once proper anesthesia is achieved the fat cells can be gently removed. There are different systems for removal, and at Wholesome Aesthetics we use power-assisted liposuction with the BeautiFill machine by Alma Laser Company. Power-assisted liposuction offers several important benefits over other methods (as explained below).

Step 4 (optional): Morpheus8

We often recommend adding a Morpheus treatment over top the treatment area after the BodyTite while the skin is still numb to add additional tightening effects. Morpheus8 utilizes a combination of microneedling and radiofrequency technologies, allowing the deeper layers of skin to be impacted. It stimulates the skin to renew and replenish itself while encouraging the formation of new collagen and elastin. It helps to tighten the connective fibers that become stretched and loose over time. It also helps to brighten the skin tone, diminish pore size, and diminish redness and dullness.

Most patients are awake and talking through the entire procedure. After the procedure, dressings and compression are applied, patients are then allowed to go home and encouraged to take it easy for the next 24-48 hours.

Before the procedure:

After meeting with Dr. Wheeler’s assistant and determining you would be a good candidate for BodyTite, you will meet with both her assistant and her for a pre-op exam.

In this exam, you will be required to complete a physical exam with Dr. Wheeler wherewith she will take down your medical history including medications and allergies. She will also take your vital signs and listen to your heart and lungs and determine whether you are in appropriate condition for the procedure.

In this visit, either Dr. Wheeler or her assistant will then answer questions, go over what to expect during and after the procedure, and discuss medications that will be required. The medications involved will include the following:

• Antibiotics. Any time the skin is penetrated with a needle or scalpel there is a risk of infection. Incisions with this procedure are only 1-2 cm long, and we keep the skin as clean as possible throughout the procedure, but we still take all the precautions possible to avoid entry of bacteria into the skin. In most cases the antibiotics are started the night before the procedure and continued for 7-10 days after.
  
  

• Relaxant. We will give a specially-compounded medication that allows patients to remain awake but in a relaxed and comfortable state.
  
  

• Pain medications: We will offer a couple of different pain medications, but many of our patients find that they don’t need anything stronger than ibuprofen. Narcotics are not given because they are not usually needed.

The day of the procedure:

As opposed to traditional liposuction under general anesthesia, where you are required to eat nothing after midnight, we recommend eating a mild to moderate breakfast. This can help mitigate any lightheadedness or discomfort associated with the procedure as well as nausea associated with the antibiotic.

The antibiotic should have been started the night before. The relaxing medication should be taken 30 minutes before coming to the office.

After the procedure?

Because the inner and outer layer of skin have been disrupted so the fat could be removed, we recommend a compression garment for 3 months after the procedure. Some patients will only wear it for a few days, but longer-term compression offers a few important benefits:

• Minimizes the fluid pockets that can build up as a natural part of the healing process.

• It allows for better healing between the inner and outer layers of skin.

• It maximizes the skin’s ability to tighten as it heals.

• It provides support that improves post-procedure discomfort.

It gives an overall better result.

First 24-48 hours:

There will be drainage, so expect to replace bandages frequently. The heaviest drainage usually occurs in the first 4-8 hours. We will recommend using maxi pads to absorb the fluid. Although there will be some blood in the drainage, it will mostly be remnants of fluid from the tumescent/numbing solution. As the body heals it will create a fair amount of its own fluid, so that will need to drain as well. Plan on sitting on and sleeping on absorbent pads or towels during the first 24 hours.

First Week:

Expect bruising. For some patients it is minimal, and for others it’s significant. You will also experience significant swelling. This is normal. Although most of the swelling resolves after the first week, it can sometimes take up to six months for it to completely go away. Wearing the compression garment can make a significant difference in how long it lasts. Mild activity will help get rid of the excess fluid as will lymphatic massage.

It is common for lumps and bumps to be felt. These are usually from fluid collection and inflammation that is a normal part of the healing process. They will go away over time. For abdominal procedures it is not uncommon for the fluid to gravitate just above the pubic bone. Appropriate compression helps to prevent this, but sometimes it is unavoidable. Most of the time it will go away on its own, but this can take months. Occasionally patients can hasten their recovery by having Dr. Wheeler drain the fluid with a small needle.

Weeks 3-5:

The soreness is typically totally resolved by this point. The skin should be healing, retracting, and tightening, but there is often some swelling still present. By this point, many patients are ready to resume strenuous activity, but we still recommended keeping exercise mild to moderate.

If needed, around week 6 we will schedule a complimentary Accent Prime treatment (** hyperlink). This non-invasive procedure will help to complete a smoother, tighter look.

Months 2-6:

You should be feeling back to normal, and should be able to get back to lifting or strenuous exercise (if so desired). You might still have some swelling. Give it time. This will continue to subside.

Healthy habits are the best way to maximize results. We recognize these are easier said than done. We at Wholesome Health & Aesthetics are passionate about healing from the inside out and offer many different modalities to improve cellular function. We have IV therapies, nutritional supplements, ozone therapies and NAD treatments.

We also offer a weight loss course that can help patients overcome the physical and emotional addictions that are keeping them stuck in unhealthy habits. This course is normally $600, but is free for any patients who have done bodysculpting services with us (BodyTite, Accent Prime, Coolsculpting).

Some patients desire an additional procedure for additional fat reduction or skin tightening. It is recommended to wait at least 6 months for another procedure to the treated area.

Not every person is an appropriate candidate for the BodyTite procedure. Because it only treats the fat just under the skin it does nothing to address the deeper, visceral (organ) fat associated with metabolic disease.

Also, it does nothing to address the abdominal muscles separation commonly associated with pregnancy and childbirth (diastasis recti). Additionally, sometimes there is so much excess skin that BodyTite alone won’t be enough to tighten. In these instances Dr. Wheeler is happy to recommend a qualified plastic surgeon to address these issues.