Monday, April 20, 2009

War on Fat 2: The Search for RF-Assisted Liposuction in Boca Raton

I just returned from Fort Collins, Colorado where I attended an Invasix Bodytite training for their upcoming IRB study on Radiofrequency-assisted lipoplasty (RFAL).

The meeting was hosted by Dr. Diane Duncan at her beautiful office and Dr. Steve Mulholland from Toronto. The purpose of this meeting was to review the data on RFAL and to watch a live surgery.

RFAL is an invasive liposuction that can be done under local tumescent anesthesia, IV sedation or general anesthesia. After fluid is infiltrated into the fat in the same way that it is done for other liposuctions, the RFAL device is inserted and used to melt fat, close blood vessels and most importantly to evenly heat the tissue and cause tightening of the skin and the fibrous attachments.

Advantages over laser liposuction are a more even and quicker skin heating, as well as a feedback system that shuts off the heat when optimal skin temperature is reached. It holds it there similar to a thermostat on an a/c or heating unit.

There seems to be more tightening than regular liposuction. Use of the device appears to be great for patients who have abdominal fat and some loose skin, but don't want or are marginal cases for a tummy-tuck.

There also may be uses for inner thigh tightening - a very difficult area for liposuction. Studies are being performed at a number of sites including at Sanctuary Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton, Florida, Dr. Diane Duncan in Fort Collins, Colorado, Dr. Malcolm Paul in Newport Beach, California and Dr. Spero Theodorou in New York.

Dr. Jason Pozner
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center
Sanctuary Plastic Surgery

Dr. David J. Goldberg
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center
Skin Laser Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ

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