Claim Check: Tummy tightening without surgery
The Claim: You can tighten your tummy and erase stretch marks -- without surgery
The Background: Alternatives to tummy tuck surgery -- cheaper, without scarring, and quick recovery time -- certainly sound compelling. There are no shortage of clinics that tout “no downtime” using new technology with names like "ThermaFrax."
A check on the claim that surgery alternatives can make a big difference to the belly came to RealSelf by way of Los Angeles community member "Catcat" who states she "doesn't want scars" when asking about an alternative to a full tummy tuck.
The Reality: No matter what the promises made by clinics or products, the fact remains: "If we could figure out how to make skin contract like shrink wrap without incisions, we wouldn't have to perform forehead lifts, face lifts, midface lifts, eye lifts, breast lifts, tummy tucks or thigh lifts," according to Otto Placik, a Chicago Plastic Surgeon. Catcat learned from our docs that, when it comes to stomach tightening alternatives to tummy tuck surgery, exercise may be the only answer.
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1 post
27 Jul 2009
I disagree. I own a microcurrent machine (Beautiful Image) and see the amazing results first hand. It literally reverses the aging process ... like a non-surgical facelift, and I've had several clients who have done this on their tummy and it has worked extremely well. Microcurrent is not for everyone but there's no doubt it's worth looking in to.
unregistered guest
30 Jul 2009
I agree with you partially. I also use a microcurrent device called diamond medilift. It works ONLY for lifting and the end results can be similar to a face lift. However, electromagnetic stimulation does nothing for melting fat (on top of muscle) or wrinkle reduction. When I use te medilift with my radiofrequency machine (Lipo-EX) I can acheive lifting, melting of fat and tightening of skin.
12 posts
5 Aug 2009
I know several people that own Beautiful Image, and several with the Diamond MediLift (which I used to distribute in 2003). They all rave about their machines, and use them for facial and tummy tightening. Unfortunately, they are technique-dependent, so only long-time users are useful to patronize...for the best results. Lately, I have really enjoyed the increased tightening results and ease of use offered by all radiofrequency devices other than Thermage. There are maybe 6 or 7 brands of no-pain RadioFrequency devices, and they really work. But they do not add muscle tone, which the electrical muscle stimulating devices like diamond lift and MediLift can do...so they can be combined for synergistic results. What Plastic Surgeons often don't tell you: They don't take the time to test all the nonsurgical devices, so they do not know how well they work; and they should mandate nonsurgical treatments prior to surgery to improve the health and vitality of the area about to receive an incision, and that will enable the skin to heal quicker from the surgical incision. I would never slice open unhealthy thin skin if I could first make it thicker via treatments before pulling out my scalpel.
252 posts
13 Aug 2009
Plastic Surgeons would love to see all potential new devices come to market with several large, independently conducted, randomized trials. The devices should be compared to avaialble, standard treatments over one year or more. This would help us inform potential patients so much better. Instead, the current situation consists of proponents advocating and sales staff making anecdotal claims.
297 posts
16 Aug 2009
It is impossible to shrink skin with our present knowledge. Any technique that professes it can without surgical excision is snake oil. Period.
1 post
20 Aug 2009
I don't know if you've heard of the Genie RF100 home treatment system, but it works. I've been doing radio frequency for my face & body for more than 3 years now. My flabby arms have really improved, my tummy is flatter but I think the best results are on my face. My chin was beginning to sag,but now it's tight & the pores of my skin look are much finer. You might want to consider looking into this type of non-invasive care.
254 posts
8 Nov 2009
We can in fact tighten skin with laser liposuction known as SmartLipo. We have presented nationally and published articles in the medical journals to this effect.