Behnoush Zarrini, MD

Crepey skin after a tummy tuck is unfortunately common when stretch-marked skin gets pulled downward. What you’re seeing is more about the quality of the skin (thin dermis, stretch marks) than looseness alone - which is why it looks better temporarily when you pull it taut.

For improvement, the focus is on collagen and elastin remodeling rather than just “tightening”:

RF microneedling (Morpheus8, Virtue, etc.): Stimulates new collagen in the dermis, thickens the skin, and smooths crepiness. Usually done in a series.

Fractional resurfacing (CO₂ or Er:YAG lasers): Excellent for stretch marks and texture. Stronger results, but does involve some downtime.

Biologic boosters (PRP or exosomes with microneedling): Can enhance healing and help stretch marks remodel.

Energy-based tightening (BodyTite, Renuvion): These work best for deeper laxity and excess tissue. They won’t fully correct stretch-mark crepiness but can be combined with resurfacing.

Since you’re also planning belly button reconstruction, some surgeons will evaluate whether a small skin revision or excision can be combined at that time if there’s still redundant tissue.

Bottom line: BodyTite alone won’t give the smooth look you’re hoping for. The most reliable improvement comes from stacked approaches - usually RF microneedling + fractional CO₂ (with or without PRP/exosomes). A board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist who offers both tightening and resurfacing options can create the right sequence for you.

BodyTite combined with liposuction can be very effective for the type of abdominal concerns you’re describing. Liposuction alone removes excess fat but doesn’t tighten skin. BodyTite adds radiofrequency energy to contract tissue and improve skin laxity at the same time, which can help with the “folding” you notice when sitting or bending.

That said, the right approach depends on your exam. If your skin has good elasticity, liposuction alone may give a smooth result. If there’s looseness in the skin (common after weight changes or with age), pairing it with BodyTite typically yields a firmer contour. For patients with significant laxity or stretched abdominal wall, a surgical tummy tuck is sometimes the better solution.

In summary: BodyTite + lipo is designed exactly for patients like you who have moderate fat and mild to moderate skin laxity in the abdomen. A consultation with an experienced provider will clarify whether you’re an ideal candidate or whether a different procedure would give you a longer-lasting, smoother result.

You’re absolutely not being petty — forehead lines affect both appearance and confidence, and it’s normal to want solutions. Since your neurologist advised against neuromodulators like Botox, there are still effective options.

Non-toxin alternatives include:

Morpheus8 (RF microneedling): Boosts collagen and tightens skin to soften forehead creases.

Microneedling with PRP: Improves texture and helps smooth fine lines naturally.

Laser resurfacing (CO₂, Erbium, fractional): Targets deeper etched-in lines.

Chemical peels & prescription skincare (like retinoids): Support gradual smoothing and skin renewal.

These treatments work by stimulating your skin’s own healing and collagen production, rather than relying on muscle relaxation. With the right plan, you can still achieve smoother skin and feel more like yourself.

Masseter Botox can sometimes improve jawline balance, but with important caveats:

Jaw asymmetry has many causes. Sometimes it’s due to the masseter muscle being larger or more active on one side, but it can also come from differences in bone structure or bite alignment.

Botox only works on muscle. If your asymmetry is primarily muscular (one side of the masseter is bulkier, often from clenching or grinding), then carefully placed Botox on the stronger side can slim it down and create more facial symmetry.

It won’t correct bone differences. If your asymmetry comes mainly from the jawbone itself or from your bite, Botox won’t fix that. It can still improve balance in combination with other treatments.

Many patients also notice reduced jaw pain and clenching after Botox treatments in the masseters, which can be a nice functional benefit.

Next steps:
A consultation with an injection expert that understands facial asymmetry is important. They’ll examine whether your difference is muscle-dominant or bone-dominant. Then determine if you’d benefit from Botox alone, or in combination with orthodontics, fillers, or other options.

Botox can create subtle changes around the brows and eyelids, but it cannot truly “maintain” natural eyelid hooding. What’s happening in your case is that Botox in the glabella or forehead relaxes muscles that normally pull the brows downward. When those muscles are weakened, the brows can sit slightly higher, which makes the eyelids appear less hooded.

For patients who want to preserve or even emphasize a hooded eyelid appearance, it’s important for the injector to be conservative and very precise with dosing in the brow and forehead region. In some cases, avoiding Botox in the lateral forehead altogether may help, since this area contributes to brow lift when relaxed.

Ultimately, Botox is best at softening lines and balancing brow position, but not at restoring or preserving natural eyelid hooding. If maintaining a certain eyelid look is the priority, careful technique or alternative treatments may be a better fit. An in-person consultation allows us to customize placement to your exact goals.