My age spots and wrinkles seemed to be getting more abundant. Dr. Rheuark and I had a consultation, and he felt that he would be able to help me diminish the spots in addition to improving my wrinkles. I wouldn't say the procedure was pleasant, but it wasn't too uncomfortable. It did itch a lot as it healed. I do notice, though, that the spots never did completely go away. They are much lighter, but till there. As for my wrinkles, the before and after photos show there really is a difference. I guess my expectations weren't really realistic.
I was very distressed every time I looked at the mirror and saw the lines on my face and neck. I had two face lifts done by anther doctor and after the last one in 2013 I went through a terrible infection. That is when I first met Dr. Daryl who treated my infection as an ENT doctor. I was very impressed by his care for his patients and professionalism. Last year I was thrilled to know that he also performs cosmetic procedures using the latest technology. I couldn’t be happier with the results of the Fractora procedure he did on my face and neck. Amazingly it gets better as time goes by just as he told me. It is amazing to get such results without having to go through surgery.
I had Fractora 3 times ($1400 ea) in 2016: I chose Fractora, because it is non-invasive, gives high-impact results, with reasonable recovery. Acne, & old-school surgery at 18, for a deformed mandible, resulted in an imperfect complexion. My scars have been dramatically reduced. I also had Lumecca, to address my dark spots, which disappeared within days. Additionally, my “extra” neck skin, the result of having my mandible shortened at 18, left space for neck fat accumulation. I was a natural candidate for RFAL/FaceTite, to reduce fat and tighten skin. This was administered to my jawline with pleasing results. All three procedures were done in his office over several months. Fractora x3: $1400, Lumecca: $700 and RFAL/FaceTite: $4200
I had basal cell cancer removed from my right cheek about 10 years ago. Even after repeated laser treatments over the course of 2 years, a 3 inch raised red patch remained. Eight years later, Dr. Rheuark gave me three fractora treatments, 6 months apart. Just two weeks after the last one, the redness is nearly gone. Updated on 25 Nov 2017: I was beginning to see the falling chins and jowls that marked my lovely mom's face as she aged, and so I was ready to have some work done on that area. But I didn't want any cutting. The Face Tite procedure is like liposuction, so no cutting. Even so, the doctor provided an antibiotic and an anti-viral drug so that any infection was handled before the fact. The area was numbed but I was awake. There was pinching but no pain. At the same visit, I had a Fractora treatment, and that actually stung more than the Face-Tite. At home there was no need for pain medicine. I wore the chin strap faithfully 24 hours a day for 3 days, and after that as often as I could. It's been a week, and the swelling and redness are gone, and I can see a slight improvement in the chin area. According to the doctor, it will take a full year for the chin to be completely tightened and defined. And, the new look should last indefinitely.
Thanks for your question concerning BodyTite RFAL, liposuction, and skin tightening. Realize that treatment of any aesthetic area should treat multiple layers; skin, underlying supporting fascia, and fat. All of these layers must be addressed to attain the result you want and have invested in. Below the fatty layer are the muscular layers you get to work on with Pilates, Spin, etc. There is a learning curve to any new technology. BodyTite RFAL, and liposuction are just tools available to your surgeon. However, I have found BodyTite and FaceTite to provide the best skin and soft tissue tightening. I love to take post-operative photos of my BodyTite, and FaceTite patients. I and my patients see improvement even 9 months out compared to 6 months.
The goal of radio-frequency (RF) energy delivery to any aesthetic unit of the face and body is to provide a uniform injury that will induce collagen production, and eventually tighten the skin and underlying soft tissues. Traditional "nip and tuck" cosmetic procedures will certainly "tighten" tissues, but you are still left with the same old skin and soft tissues. A face and cervical lift looks great for a few years, but often the lower face seems to "drop." Again, we use radio-frequency energy to induce collagen production, and soft tissue tightening. So, let's see how radio-frequency energy is delivered via FaceTite/BodyTite vs. Thermi RF. There are two methods of delivering radio-frequency (RF) energy; unipolar (Thermi RF), and bipolar (FaceTite/BodyTite). The unipolar method uses a single electrode that touches your body somewhere, and a grounding pad that is typically stuck to your back. The current flows from the electrode through your body to this grounding pad to complete an electrical circuit. We can measure how much energy is delivered by monitoring the temperature of the tissue in contact with the electrode. An accurate measure of your tissue temperature is very important. Too much energy in one spot for too long will burn you. Too little won't induce the tissues to do anything. The bipolar method of radio-frequency (RF) uses an applicator with two electrodes close to each other. Radio-frequency energy does not run off to a grounding pad. There is no grounding pad. Instead, the energy your surgeon wants to apply to your tissues is not diluted, but stays right between the two electrode tips. You can even measure the temperature of each of the electrodes and deliver different amounts of energy. The skin surface responds to lower levels of energy (lower temperatures, say 35 to 38 degrees Celsius ), than deeper fatty tissue does (higher temperatures, 55 to 70 degrees Celsius). Unfortunately, Thermi RF uses a unipolar method of energy delivery, and doesn't even measure the temperature of your tissues. Instead, the surgeon needs another separate infrared device to measure the soft tissue temperature. So, your Thermi RF surgeon needs to look at a screen on the infrared sensor, and look at your tissues to see where the unipolar electrode is. Certainly, your surgeon can become adept at this multi-tasking event, but why. FaceTite/BodyTite RFAL, FDA approved since 2016, uses a bipolar method of energy delivery, and measures temperatures at both electrode tips, one on the skin surface, and the other inserted under the skin into the deeper fatty tissue. There is no separate device needed to measure temperatures. It's a lot easier your surgeon to use. And the FaceTite/BodyTite device can be set to turn off energy delivery to either electrode before any damaging temperatures are reached. As one of the first 25 surgeons in the US to use the FaceTite/BodyTite platform, I most say FaceTite/BodyTite is much safer, precise, and easier to use than Thermi RF. Hence, the risk of burning skin or soft tissue, the most unwanted result, is much less. Thanks for your question, and good luck.
Thank you for contacting realself.com and offering up a question. BodyTite bipolar radiofrequency assisted lipolysis (RFAL) using the larger RF applicator by InMode/Invasix is most commonly performed in addition to some form and amount of liposuction. As one of the first 25 surgeons trained in both FaceTite, and BodyTite in the US, I have completed quite a number of cases thus far. BodyTite is a technique, at present, that only surgeons trained and certified in liposuction can perform. Training strongly suggests that the surgeon begin and progress through cases involving the tummy, thighs, face/neck, and then arms lastly. There is a "Goldilocks" amount, and location of fat removal for every person. If you have very little fat to remove, but need soft tissue tightening, then BodyTite alone may be offered to you. I have completed a few cases applying BodyTite alone. My patients were very toned Cross-Fit athletes that just wanted soft tissue tightening. There was really very little, if any, fat to treat. Actually, on one patient with a small tummy, I used a FaceTite applicator. As for the rest of us (mere mortals), you will achieve a much better result with liposuction and BodyTite together. Typically, liposuction, and BodyTite are listed and charged for separately. It may seem your surgeon is just trying to "pad the bill." Please, remember, prior to BodyTite, we had SmartLipo with mild skin and soft tissue tightening, but now I have BodyTite with about 30 to 40% tightening. You will get what you pay for. Thanks again, and good luck.
The practice of medicine, and surgery in particular, is a very humbling profession. I have seen unwanted temporary, and permanent facial nerve injuries as a Otolaryngologist-Head, and Neck surgeon practicing since 1991 in just about every area of the face and neck. Be patient, tell your surgeon about any changes, and follow their advice for full recovery. Insist on seeing them more frequently. They want to see you and help you through this. The branches of the facial nerve are very tiny ones at the midline of your face, but robust. Any of the interventions you listed (filler, micro-needling, FaceTite RFAL, mini-liposuctioning, and local anesthetic delivery) can possibly "insult" these tiny motor branches. The likelihood of permanent nerve injury in your situation is very uncommon. Besides, branches of the facial nerve can "improve" for upwards of 6 months from injury. You are only at day 3. The good news is, unless the branches have been transected (cut), things should fully resolve. I am the specialist for the care and feeding of the "Facial Nerve." My plastic surgeon colleagues often refer their stubborn cases of facial nerve injury to me. As such, I may prescribe oral steroids, conservative ice application, and advise to avoid any further trauma/intervention to the area in a situation like this. Good Luck.
I love reviewing photos and pointing patients in the right direction. Thanks for your questions. By now, the answers listed prior to 2016 won't help much. FaceTite (RFAL or Radiofrequency Assisted Lipolysis) developed by InMode/Invasix has only been FDA approved since 2016. I trained as one of the first 25 surgeons in the USA for this technique. There is definitely a learning curve. Choose experience first and foremost. InMode is settling upon the terms FaceTite for use of the technique for the face and neck and BodyTite for tummy, thighs, knees, breast, arms, and many other larger sites. FaceTite is an adjunct to artistic, conservative mini-liposuction. After mini-liposuction of an appropriate amount of fat from then neck, fat from the medial cheek just lateral to the nasolabial fold, fat lateral to what we refer to as the Marionette line (jowl), and elswhere, your surgeon can insert the use the FaceTite applicator to sculpt the deeper soft tissues. FaceTite (and BodyTite) allows tightening of the skin and soft tissues down to the muscular level. SmartLipo gives reportedly 17% tightening; whereas, 30-40% for FaceTite by report. Given the information you provided, FaceTite would be a wise choice for you. I can certainly define your jawline, mid-face, and submental areas, but the neck will only improve to the profile of your underlaying musculature. Here come the disclaimers: Choose an experienced surgeon. I cannot state anything definite without examining you. Traditional face and neck lift techniques will always be an option, but are much more invasive. Your surgeon may suggest other procedures to maximize your results, and satisfaction. You appear young, so be conservative. Good luck.
