How to know the severity of loose skin and best treatment option?

Question

How do surgeons assess the severity of loose skin to determine what procedure would be best for a patient? For example, if a patient wanted to treat loose skin on their thighs, how would you determine if a thigh lift was needed or if a less invasive skin tightening treatment (e.g. bodytite, skintyte, etc.) would effectively treat the issue? Does the best treatment differ at all depending on the cause of loose skin (weight loss vs aging)?

Mahmood Siddique, DO · Answer

Hi,
When assessing the severity of loose skin, especially in areas like the thighs, surgeons typically look at factors like skin elasticity, the amount of excess skin, and whether the skin has lost its ability to "bounce back" after weight loss or aging. For some patients, a thigh lift might be necessary to remove excess skin and provide more significant results, especially if there is a substantial amount of sagging.
For others, less invasive treatments like BodyTite, TempSure ENVI&trade;, or Morpheus8 might be suitable options. These treatments use radiofrequency energy or microneedling to stimulate collagen production, which can help tighten the skin and improve its texture without surgery.
The cause of loose skin (whether from aging or weight loss) can influence the best treatment approach. In cases of weight loss, where the skin may have been stretched significantly, a more invasive procedure may be necessary. For age-related skin laxity, non-invasive treatments may be more effective.
I would recommend consulting with a professional to get a personalized assessment and determine the best path for you.
Good luck!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

During a physical exam your surgeon will assess your skin elasticity to determine the correct procedure recommendation.  They are trained to know how much improvement could be expected based on your skin quality from the different options available.  For example BodyTite is designed for those who have mild to moderate skin laxity.  So if a patient has loose, hanging skin with several stretch marks, BodyTite would not be the option to get the best results.  I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

A thorough physical examination which involves touching and pinching the skin as well as moving it around is required in order to determine a proper procedure when loose skin is involved. Experience of the surgeon is extremely important as well. I hope this helps and good luck, Leonard Grossman, MD organic Plastic Surgery.

How to know the severity of loose skin and best treatment option?

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