What options would be good for loose skin sides? Could Radio Frequency be worth the try or should I get revision? (Photos)

Thank you for your question as well as your pictures. As you see from your photos, you have loose skin. The best solution for you would be an extension of your tummy tuck incision around the hips and possibly to the top of the buttocks. Radiofrequency on a patient who has lost over 100 pounds will not work too much. You have loose skin which requires surgical excision. If you wish, the keloid scars can also be removed at the same time. Therefore, I would suggest a revision tummy tuck with an extension over the hip. If the incision continues all the way to the buttocks, this will result in a 360 circumferential body lift. This will address the tummy, hips, and buttocks. I do not believe any amount of radiofrequency, J plasma, Renuvion, any skin creams, lotions, deep tissue massage, or liposuction will correct is loose skin. Loose skin is an effect of weight loss. Thank you for your question regarding what to do with the excess skin over your hips after significant weight loss and whether radiofrequency will help to treat this area.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Dear Cosmanles,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

I would recommend a scar revision to improve the scar position and width and then add lipo to the waist/flanks.

From your photos it appears you have a very nice result. It's difficult to tell without an examination but if you have extra skin you may be able to address it through a revision. The scars aren't keloid, but they do appear to be hypertrophic. You can consider scar revision to improve the appearance. See a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

hello, in your case it would be very appropriate to use vaser liposuction to eliminate the rest of the fat that you have there. the result will be more defined. It can be combined with a scar revision to perform it again and with the necessary care it will be smaller.

Massive weight loss patients typically have skin laxity in many areas not just the front of the abdomen. Patient with that type of skin laxity typically need an extended or wraparound tummy tuck. The reason you have skin laxity on your sides is because that wasn’t addressed with a standard tummy tuck.

For patients who have skin laxcity on their backside and extended or wrap around tummy tuck is more appropriate. Since that wasn’t done the first time your best option now is to extend the tuck and do the backside basically converting your tummy tuck to a full wraparound tummy tuck a.k.a. body lift or three-quarter wraparound tummy tuck.

Removing the skin laxity on the sides is usually a much easier recovery than the primary tummy tuck. this is especially true if muscle tightening was part of the primary procedure.

The quality of your tummy tech looks excellent so maybe first thing to do is to go back to your surgeon and talk to him or her about doing an extended tummy tuck conversion.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD