Is necrosis more likely to happen after a botched Bodytite?

Necrosis (tissue death) is a severe complication that can occur after any surgical or minimally invasive procedure, including BodyTite, if complications arise or if the procedure is not performed correctly. Here are some factors to consider regarding the likelihood of necrosis after a botched BodyTite procedure:

Botched Procedure Definition: "Botched" typically refers to a procedure that has been performed incorrectly, resulting in unintended outcomes or complications. These complications can range from minor issues to more serious risks like tissue necrosis.

Potential Causes of Necrosis:

Inadequate Technique: Improper use of BodyTite or other energy-based devices can lead to excessive tissue damage, including thermal injury that can result in necrosis.
Infection: Infections following any surgical procedure can contribute to tissue necrosis if not promptly treated.
Poor Healing Response: Some individuals may have a predisposition to delayed wound healing or poor tissue perfusion, increasing the risk of necrosis.
Prevention and Management:

Skilled Providers: Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon or cosmetic provider experienced in BodyTite and other similar procedures can significantly reduce the risk of complications.
Patient Selection: Proper patient selection and thorough pre-operative assessment are crucial to minimize risks.
Post-Operative Care: Following post-operative instructions, including wound care, monitoring for signs of infection, and attending follow-up appointments, are essential for early detection and management of any complications.
Risk Evaluation: During your consultation, your provider should discuss potential risks, including the rare possibility of necrosis, and how they mitigate these risks during the procedure.

In summary, while any procedure carries some degree of risk, including the possibility of necrosis if complications occur, choosing a skilled and experienced provider and following post-operative care instructions can help minimize these risks. It’s important to have a thorough consultation and discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider before undergoing BodyTite or any cosmetic procedure.

Dear chamedyn,
generally speaking, your previous treatment should have no effect on surgery results. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Fat necrosis is the death of fat that occurs usually secondary to the lack of blood supply. Necrosis can develop from infections, improper wound care, an injury, frostbite or circulation problems, Without the blood supply, the fat dies and becomes calcified and hard. This necrotic fat then may be painful or create an unpleasing appearance. Fat necrosis typically occurs as a result of trauma or secondary to transfer of fat during a surgical procedure.

Thank you for your question. The answer is somewhere in between. With Bodytite, the radio frequency energy is directed at the skin/dermis/fat, which hold the blood supply to the tissues. This does result in some micro scarring. This has the same effect as laser liposuction. I have done many abdominoplasties after laser lipsuction, and it is a more difficult procedure because of the scarring, and many of the irregularities that you describe will not be smoothed out after abdominoplasty. If you're in good health and a non-smoker, you should not be at a markedly high risk of vascular necrosis, although it could occur.

My first hand experience from the new generation of skin tightening devices has been pretty disappointing. To the point where I sold the device at a substantial financial loss because I couldn’t recommend it to anybody it didn’t work. in my case the device was J plasma.

You really do need to ask yourself if it’s justified to do it a full tummy tuck. Do you have the skin laxity to clear all the skin from your belly button all the way down to your groin?

I personally wouldn’t be too concerned about skin necrosis but I would be worried about scar tissue making the skin and fat layer less pliable and having a difficult time clearing removing that much skin and still being able to close the abdomen and not have it look over done.

It’s possible to do an alternate approach we’re not all the skin is removed and you end up with a small vertical skin somewhere between the belly button and the main incision.

Your pictures should include your entire torso so we have a better idea of what we’re looking at.

I suggest focusing exclusively on in person consultations until you find the plastic surgeon you find has the most skill and experience and seems to have a treatment option you you think it’s going to work best for you.

Until then I suggest slowing down the train.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD