While using fat reduction or "lifting" energy technology such as Radiofrequency away from the area of the shunt will not affect the function of the shunt, you have to be careful to not get too close to the plastic tubing which comes down the neck and enters the upper portion of the abdomen as the heat from the tip of the Body Tite probe could affect this tubing. While a different issue, shunt revision is always involved and can be tricky depending on how many times in the past it has been placed and changed. The skin over the shunt can become scarred, particularly in the area behind the ear. I have personally assisted in many shunt revisions for this reason with my neurosurgical colleges. As a plastic surgeon I believe we are an asset to our other surgical specialist colleges when they encounter the need for repeat surgical procedures in the same area where there is scar present. As to the change out of a shunt for MRI compatibility, that would be a question to ask your Neurosurgeon, although I am aware that there have been "black box" FDA warnings on some devices due to these issues.
