Loose skin and lines after Vaser lipo. How do I improve this? (Photo)

Question

Post surgery 6 months I have loose skin and lines. How best can I treat them I don’t want a tummy tuck. I had 8 sessions of endermologie post surgery and have had a couple of MLD massages. Is there anything that will get rid of the loose skin and make my stomach look more even I don’t want more surgery or a tummy tuck scar. I have spoken to my PS he said need to wait at least a year to see the full results - but I feel self conscious about my tummy and feel that I should have better results.

Calvin Jung, MD · Answer

Hi There, Not all skin is created the same and as such not all skin with contract the same post laser/vaser /lipo treatment.  Patients will always have some skin and in some pictures when you bend it will result in some folds.  The best advice is to utilize external skin tightening modalities to help you improve and tighten your skin.  These modalities require more than one treatment!

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello gullo82 Excess skin would usually shrink back over the area of the body, liposuction is used to reduce volume not tighten skin. We now have a number of non surgical devices such as ThermiSmooth radiofrequency and VelaShape3 to help tighten skin after liposuction for patients who will benefit from this additional care. This allows us to provide our patients with the best results possible. #looseskin #post-op

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Hello Gullo82,
Thanks for your photos and questions! VASER Lipo is the only liposuction procedure clinically proven to offer 53% more skin tightening than traditional surgeries. However, results may vary among patients depending on various factors such as skin elasticity, age, ethnicity, health status, lifestyle habits, and the number of previous surgical interventions. Moreover, proper post-operative care can positively impact the final outcome. Majority of the skin retraction occurs approximately 6 months after VASER liposuction. Some skin retraction may still occur up to a year but may not be significant. I don't think your surgeon did anything wrong. Unfortunately, some patients may need additional procedures such as an abdominoplasty, mini-abdominoplasty or revision VASER liposuction. Good luck and may God bless you! Dr. De La Cruz.

W. John Bullis, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and photos.  Any type of liposuction, including Vaser, can leave you with loose skin, especially, if you already had some loose skin to begin with.  Vaser does result in more skin tightening than liposuction alone and can sometime take up to one year to see final results.  At 6 months post-surgery, most of your swelling should be gone, but not all.  There are several non-surgical devices on the market for skin tightening (and endermologie is not the best, in my opinion).  At my office, we have been getting great results with Thermi250.  The minimally-invasive treatment, ThermiTight is perhaps the best device currently for skin tightening.  This treatment is done through just a few needle-holes in the skin using local anesthesia (similar to liposuction).  There is very little down-time and risks of the procedure are very low.  Other devices include: Venus Legacy, Exillis, Viora Reaction, Tru-Sculpt, Thermage, VelaShape, and others.  Non-surgical devices work pretty well, but often also rely on the patient's ability to heal and form new collagen, so results are not necessarily consistent from one patient to the next.  Another possibility is that you could have areas of residual fat - this is something your surgeon should determine.  All surgeons can get sub-optimal results on occasion.  The best surgeons recognize this and are willing to do what it takes to make things right.  So, if after 9-12 months, you are still not satisfied with results, then let your surgeon know this.  Chances are, he or she will make sure you are happy with results.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

With non-surgical treatments, skin tightening can be done with a combination of vanquish, venus legacy, exilis, celllutone/Zwave. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

You appear to still be in the healing phase which typically lasts 6-12 months. Not all patients respond the same.You do not have lose skin to warrant a tummy tuck. Those areas of concern should continue to soften and smooth out over time. Close follow up with your plastic surgeon is recommended.

Kristine Brecht, MD (license suspended) · Answer

Vaser can do a lot for skin tightening, but if you need a tummy tuck to start, you’ll still need one after.
If you liposuctioned the loose skin areas more, you may make the skin flap thinner and smoother but still loose.
Non surgical techniques like Viora Bipolar radio frequancy will help some.
Best. Dr Brecht