My heart doctor says it is safe to have a laser procedure like body tite with a pacemaker. Is it true?

BodyTite is a non-excisional device that utilizes radio-frequency assisted lipolysis (RFAL) to address the shortcomings often associated with traditional liposuction or surgical body and face lifts, including sagging or wrinkly skin and scarring, by inserting a wand under the skin to coagulate inside while tightening the skin on top.  BodyTite can be combined with liposuction to improve contours dramatically. RF interference with the pacemaker is a distinct possibility.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question. The Body Tite system is a fairly new system that uses radio frequency to shrink wrap the tissues. This is not a laser. My recommendation is to get medical clearance from your doctor prior to any procedure if you have medical concerns or a medical or surgical history. This will ensure a safe, smooth process. I hope this helped. Good luck!

The first thing to understand is that BodyTite is NOT a laser procedure; I think you're confusing different terminologies.  Your doctor is right, a laser would be safe; BodyTite, however would not be safe.  Sometimes the terminology and technology we use are quite confusing, and I see every device used to perform some kind of procedure being called a "laser" - (think of Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movie with his fingers making quotation mark signs as he says "laser!").  A laser is a very specific device that creates heat in the tissues using light.  In fact, the "L" in laser stands for "light".  The word "LASER" is an acronnym that stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation."  Thus, if the device doesn't use light for its effects, it's definitely not a laser.  All of this is very important in your case because with a pacemaker it definitely matters what type of energy is being used to create heat in your tissues to achieve the desired effect.  Pacemakers are affected specifically by magnetic and electrical energy, and BodyTite uses a very controlled electrical current passed through the tissues to create the effects through heat.  Because of this, I would not recommend a BodyTite, FaceTite, NeckTite, Thermi, or any other kind of procedure that uses electrical current or radiofrequency energy to achieve its result to a person with a pacemaker.  The risk is still pretty small, but it could be catastrophic if something occurred, and in my opinion it just wouldn't be worth it.  You might be a candidate for a laser mediated procedure however, so you may wish to undergo consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who has skill and experience with such a device to see if it is a possibility for you.  Good luck!

Thank you for your question. A pacemaker could interfere with your BodyTite treatment. For more information, please make sure you get a in person consultation from a board-certified dermatologist. 

I double checked with InMode, the maker of BodyTite to confirm, but having a pacemaker would be a contraindication for BodyTite, due to the RF (radiofrequency) energy it uses. You could have the pacemaker temporarily disabled, but with other methods available you would be better off choosing another technique.

Thank you for your question. BodyTite is not a laser procedure. Rather, it uses bi-polar radio-frequency energy, a form of electromagnetic energy, to destroy fat and tighten the skin. RF energy is generally contra-indicated in patients with pacemakers, defibrillators, and neuronal stimulators. In light of this information, you should review this once again with your cardiologist. I hope this was helpful - Dr. Moore.