Body Contouring Benefits of Radio Frequency Assisted Liposuction

Many plastic surgeons performing liposuction turn to laser-assisted liposuction devices or radio frequency assisted liposuction to perform body contouring and body sculpting techniques. Both of these procedures use either heat or laser energy to cause tissue contraction, which helps to shape, tone and tighten the body. Radio Frequency Assisted Lipo (RAFL) is among the latest technologies for body sculpting and permanent fat removal, and is currently undergoing FDA testing.

Get in touch with a plastic surgeon in your area to find out if you are a good candidate for radio frequency assisted liposuction.

Here's a close look at how Radio Frequency Assisted Lipo works, and what its key benefits are:

How Radio Frequency Assisted Lipo Works

RAFL devices in the United States are designed with bi-polar radio frequency and feature both internal and external monitoring. The external electrodes deliver energy to the skin and monitor the skin's temperature. The internal probes deliver energy deep into the skin to dissolve the fat, and the physician has complete control over where the energy is being delivered. This makes the RAFL procedure much more targeted and precise than other procedures that can spread the energy to other areas of the body.

The fundamental difference between this particular procedure and other liposuction technologies is that it simultaneously dissolves the fat cells while tightening the collagen from the skin down through the muscle. This helps create a very natural, contoured appearance, and can reduce the need for extensive body shaping and body contouring procedures after surgery.

Body Contouring Benefits of Radio Frequency Assisted Lipo

Since this procedure helps to get rid of both superficial fat and fat that is stored deeper in the skin tissues, it naturally helps to tighten and tone the skin. The energy from the RAFL device triggers collagen production, which in turn results in skin tightening. RAFL procedures can be administered on several parts of the body, including the stomach, arms, inner and outer thighs, and back.

Some of the key body contouring benefits of radio frequency assisted lipo include:

• Accomplishes both fat reduction and skin tightening in one step


• Limited amount of bruising


• Coagulates the blood vessels which reduces the risk of skin injury


• Less painful than standard body contouring procedures


• Patients can see results in about six months after the procedure


• Swelling is reduced within a week after surgery


• Produces results much faster than many types of non-surgical procedures

The best candidates for radio frequency assisted liposuction are those that are not able to lose weight with diet and exercise, and have stubborn fat in certain areas of the body, such as the hips, thighs, buttocks, abdomen and buttocks. It is considered to be a less-invasive procedure than liposuction, and most people feel only little or no sensation under the applicator and electrodes. Patients undergoing this procedure do need to maintain a healthy diet and workout regularly after recovery in order to maintain results.