Investigating the Role of Radiofrequency in Back Contouring after Massive Weight Loss

Document Type : Original Article

Author

The Department of Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery and Burn Management, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of obesity and the
high success rate of bariatric surgery have made the presentation
of skin sagging and obesity on the back difficult. Several
contouring techniques have been described for the treatment of
such difficult deformities.
Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the aesthetic
results of two energy-assisted liposuction techniques; Radiofrequency-
assisted liposuction (RFAL) and VASER-assisted
liposuction (VAL) in back contouring of patients with massive
weight loss.
Patients and Methods: A total of 163 consecutive patients
underwent surgery between January 2017 and January 2021.
106 patients (the study group-A) underwent RFAL
(BodyTite RF platform, Invasix Corp.). Fifty-seven patients
(the control group-B) underwent VAL (VASER-Lipo system;
Sound Surgical Technologies, Louisville, Colo) alone without
using the BodyTite RF platform.
Results: The mean age was 31.5 years. The mean follow-
up time was 29 months (range: 12-60 months). The esthetic
satisfaction in group A was rated as excellent by 48 patients
(45.28%), good by 40 (37.74%), fair by 9 patients (8.49%),
and poor by 9 patients (8.49%). In group B, 29.82% of patients
had an excellent and good result, while 70.18% rated the result
as average to poor due to the increase in excess skin. Early
complications occurred in 8 patients (7.55%), including minor
tip hits burn (6 cases), a mild burn, and a seroma without
hematoma.
Conclusions: Radiofrequency-assisted liposuction provides
a safe and effective treatment for back contouring after
massive weight loss while avoiding more invasive surgical
procedures.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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