Can I have Vanquish on my abdomen if I've had tubal ligation and they used titanium clips?

Question

Can I have Vanquish on my abdomen if I've had a tubal ligation and they used titanium clips?

Rachel Chastanet, MD · Answer

The manufacturer of the Vanquish ME machine (BTL) recommends again using it on anyone with any metal anywhere in the body since the mechanism of action (for killing fat cells) is heat from radiofrequency energy, and metal conducts heat.  This recommendation is the most cautious approach.  However, in real life, the community standard of care that physicians follow can involve a judgement of risk versus benefit and shared decision-making with the patient.  There have been radiofrequency studies involving titanium clips that demonstrated no significant heating of the clip if the radiofrequency electrode was over 2 cm away from the clip.  The heat from the Vanquish ME is focused at 1-1.5 cm from the apparatus, so in theory, there should be little chance for significant heating of a clip inside the pelvic cavity from a treatment of the abdomen.  That said, I have had ladies have an early or heavy period after a Vanquish ME abdominal treatment, so this would imply some degree of heat transfer to the pelvic organs, but most likely this is mild indirect transfer, from the heated fat, not directly from the radiofrequency, and thus would not preferentially heat metal more than the surrounding tissues.  I would discuss the issue with your local Vanquish ME provider and decide what is best for your personal situation.

Can I have Vanquish on my abdomen if I've had tubal ligation and they used titanium clips?

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Can I have Vanquish on my abdomen if I've had tubal ligation and they used titanium clips?

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Everything you need to know about Vanquish

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