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Background The SAFE liposuction technique is a worldwide extended method used to achieve great and reproducible results after the surgical aspiration of fat. We propose an evolution of the technique to address one of the major limitations of liposuction, loose skin. The SAFEST liposuction technique combines PAL and RFAL to achieve skin tightening and fat reduction with minimal added morbidity.

Description:

Title: Soft Tissue Contraction in Body Contouring With Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction: A Treatment Gap Solution

Published in: Aesthetic Surgery Journal

Authors: Spero J. Theodorou, MD; Daniel Del Vecchio, MD; and Christopher T. Chia, MD

Abstract: Radiofrequency-assisted liposuction is a relatively new concept in energy-assisted body contouring techniques and has received instrument approval. This supplemental article reviews the clinical application of electromagnetic energy via the BodyTite (InMode Corporation, Toronto, Canada) device on soft tissues during suction lipectomy, its effect on soft tissue contraction, and its use in aesthetic body contouring in various clinical scenarios.

Background: There is a large number of these “in between” patients in this “gap” category that their clinical picture presents as “not bad enough for an excisional procedure and not good enough for liposuction.” Specifically, areas of the body described as zones of nonadherence such as the arms, neck, and medial thighs may be amenable to radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL) for satisfactory contouring who otherwise would be turned away with liposuction alone by the judicious surgeon. The RFAL technology, being more effective and directed at fat resection, can be achieved with an increased margin of safety since the skin can be anticipated to retract more than with manual suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) alone.

Conclusion: RFAL presents a novel application of electromagnetic energy in a unique delivery device that ensures both uniform and efficient heating of the soft tissues to target temperatures while including multiple safety parameters to greatly mitigate the risk of overheating and burns.

Description:

Title: Non-Excisional Tissue Tightening: Creating Skin Surface Area Reduction During Abdominal Liposuction by Adding Radio-Frequency Heating
Journal: Aesthetic Surgery Journal
Author: Dr. D. Duncan

Background: Recent publications show that heat-mediated tissue tightening is a promising treatment for the lax abdomen and may provide better
long-term outcomes than traditional suction-assisted liposuction (SAL).

Objectives: The author evaluates the degree and duration of skin surface area contraction, as well as the influence of anatomic location of the
treatment region on the degree of tissue tightening, in a study comparing SAL alone vs SAL plus radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL).

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, split abdominal study, 12 consecutive patients were treated with SAL alone on 1 side and with SAL plus RFAL
on the other side. Each patient had 4 (3 × 3-cm) squares—2 per treatment type—tattooed in the lower abdominal region (2 on the right and 2 on the left).
The surface area of these squares was measured with the Vectra computerized measurement system (Canfield, Inc, Fairfield, New Jersey) at pretreatment,
at 6 weeks posttreatment, and at 1 year posttreatment. All measurements were subjected to statistical analysis using predictive analytic software and were
evaluated for statistical significance.

Results: In regions treated with SAL alone, there was a 10.4% mean skin surface area contraction at 6 weeks and 8.3% at 1 year posttreatment. The
mean skin surface area reduction was 25.8% in regions treated with radiofrequency plus SAL at 6 weeks and at 1 year. The anatomic location of each
square (medial vs lateral) did not statistically correlate with more or less tissue tightening.

Conclusions: Radiofrequency-assisted tissue tightening, when applied in conjunction with SAL, is effective in achieving greater skin surface area
reduction.

Title: Improving Outcomes in Upper Arm Liposuction: Adding Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction to Induce Skin Contraction
Publisher: Aesthetic Surgery Journal
Authors: D. Duncan

Background: Brachioplasty is frequently recommended for patients with more skin laxity than subcutaneous fat. However, many patients are reluctant to accept a visible scar that will affect the activity of the upper arm or clothing choices. Traditional liposuction is effective when minimal skin laxity is present, but the dual problems of postoperative residual skin laxity and unsatisfactory contour irregularities are common when upper arm skin laxity is the chief complaint.

Objectives: The author investigates the degree of skin contraction resulting from treatment with radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL) and attempts to determine whether, after long-term follow-up, the classification of upper arm deformities and their corresponding treatment protocols can be refined to offer patients with prominent skin laxity an alternative to traditional brachioplasty.

Results: One year after treatment with RFAL, the mean surface area reduction in the volar upper arm region was 33.5% bilaterally. The mean degree of pendulous vertical “hang” shortening was 50%bilaterally. Statistical analysis showed a P value of >.001 for both measurements.

Conclusion:Treatment with RFAL achieved statistically significant skin contraction in the upper arm region. Patients in categories 2b and 4 were successfully treated with RFAL instead of traditional brachioplasty (which is recommended by the current classification system). Category 3 patients, however, did require a short-scar brachioplasty procedure to obtain satisfactory results.

Title: Improving Outcomes in Upper Arm Liposuction: Adding Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction to Induce Skin Contraction
Publisher: Aesthetic Surgery Journal
Authors: D. Duncan

Background: Brachioplasty is frequently recommended for patients with more skin laxity than subcutaneous fat. However, many patients are reluctant to accept a visible scar that will affect the activity of the upper arm or clothing choices. Traditional liposuction is effective when minimal skin laxity is present, but the dual problems of postoperative residual skin laxity and unsatisfactory contour irregularities are common when upper arm skin laxity is the chief complaint.

Objectives: The author investigates the degree of skin contraction resulting from treatment with radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL) and attempts to determine whether, after long-term follow-up, the classification of upper arm deformities and their corresponding treatment protocols can be refined to offer patients with prominent skin laxity an alternative to traditional brachioplasty.

Results: One year after treatment with RFAL, the mean surface area reduction in the volar upper arm region was 33.5% bilaterally. The mean degree of pendulous vertical “hang” shortening was 50%bilaterally. Statistical analysis showed a P value of >.001 for both measurements.

Conclusion:Treatment with RFAL achieved statistically significant skin contraction in the upper arm region. Patients in categories 2b and 4 were successfully treated with RFAL instead of traditional brachioplasty (which is recommended by the current classification system). Category 3 patients, however, did require a short-scar brachioplasty procedure to obtain satisfactory results.

Description:

White Paper Discussing BodyTite & FaceTite

Introduction: The global demand for aesthetic medical procedures and products continues to rapidly grow as consumers become more informed and as the industry becomes more safe and accessible. A new report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reveals
that Americans spent more than ever before – $17.5 billion – on cosmetic plastic surgery and minimallyinvasive procedures in 2017. Liposuction is the world’s second most popular cosmetic procedure after breast augmentation, with more than 246,345 procedures performed in 2017.