Ibrahiem, S. (2024). Investigating the Role of Radiofrequency in Back Contouring after Massive Weight Loss. The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 48(2), 145-153. doi: 10.21608/ejprs.2024.352138
Saad Mohamed Saad Ibrahiem. "Investigating the Role of Radiofrequency in Back Contouring after Massive Weight Loss". The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 48, 2, 2024, 145-153. doi: 10.21608/ejprs.2024.352138
Ibrahiem, S. (2024). 'Investigating the Role of Radiofrequency in Back Contouring after Massive Weight Loss', The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 48(2), pp. 145-153. doi: 10.21608/ejprs.2024.352138
Ibrahiem, S. Investigating the Role of Radiofrequency in Back Contouring after Massive Weight Loss. The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2024; 48(2): 145-153. doi: 10.21608/ejprs.2024.352138
Investigating the Role of Radiofrequency in Back Contouring after Massive Weight Loss
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.
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