Male, late 20s, how to tighten the loose skin on my stomach?

Question

Hi, I'm a male in my late 20s, and I had liposuction back in early May. I’m really happy the love handles are gone, but now I've got some loose skin below my belly button. I figured this might happen since I already had some stretch marks there, but I was hoping it would tighten up a bit over time. It’s been 4 months, and the loose skin hasn’t improved, so I’m starting to think about a skin tightening procedure. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

After liposuction, especially in areas with pre-existing stretch marks or reduced skin elasticity, loose skin can persist because the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers have limited ability to retract. At four months post-procedure, some natural tightening may still occur, but the majority of improvement typically happens within the first six months.

Treatment options to consider include:

Non-Surgical Skin Tightening: Devices such as radiofrequency (RF), ultrasound-based treatments, or laser-assisted tightening can stimulate collagen remodeling and improve skin firmness over time. Multiple sessions are often needed.

Microneedling with Radiofrequency: This can target both surface texture (including stretch marks) and deeper collagen remodeling.

Minimally Invasive Tightening: Procedures like Renuvion® (helium plasma + RF) can be performed under local anesthesia and deliver more noticeable tightening than external devices.

Surgical Excision: If skin laxity is significant and persistent, a mini-abdominoplasty or full abdominoplasty may provide the most dramatic and lasting improvement.

Summary:
Given your age and recent liposuction, starting with non-invasive or minimally invasive skin tightening options may be beneficial before considering surgical removal of excess skin. This approach allows for collagen stimulation while preserving the improvements you’ve already achieved from your procedure.

Falguni Patel, MD, FACOG · Answer

a procedure called Morpheus8 could potentially help you. Morpheus8 helps to dissolve fat and tighten the skin with radiofrequency while also helping skin texture. The procedure is done with adequate numbing cream and does not require anesthesia. Another option for comfort is the use of pronox (laughing gas) which some practices like our tend to use. The procedure takes about 30 minutes or so with a downtime of roughly 3 days. The downtime includes redness, irritation, and itching which can all be treated with a good gentle lotion. it is recommended to do about 3 treatments, 8-10 weeks apart for the body. It is important to book your procedure in the winter/fall months as avoiding sun exposure is crucial for this procedure.

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

I think an energy device, such as BodyTite (Renuvion, J-Plasma are also options), would help to tighten the skin in these areas. These devices apply energy to dermis to try and get the skin to tighten more than traditional liposuction. Although they are moderately invasive, they do tend to have a good effect on the skin typically.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. Based on your concerns, I highly recommend treating the area of concern with Morpheus8. Morpheus8 is a radiofrequency microneedling treatment that can help tighten and improve the appearance of loose skin. It combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production and promote skin tightening. While it's commonly used on areas like the face and neck, it can also be applied to the body, including the stomach. For loose skin on the stomach, Morpheus8 can offer noticeable improvements by enhancing skin elasticity and firmness. However, the degree of tightening you can expect will depend on factors such as the severity of the skin laxity, your skin type, and how well your body responds to the treatment. I use Morpheus8 all the time and highly recommend it! I hope this helps and best of luck.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hello there Magic,
Profound RF, Venus Freeze, and Emsculpt are all good technologies for abdominal skin tightening.  I would combine a series of Sculptra or hyperdilute Radiesse injections along with the other skin tightening procedures.  Good luck and be well, keep up the good work!
Michael Persky, MD
Encino, CA

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

There are a few options to consider.  You could look into a tummy tuck which would surgically remove the loose skin.  You can also consider BodyTite.  This minimally invasive procedure uses RF technology to tighten skin.  No general anesthesia is required.  Results can be enhanced by adding Morpheus8 treatments.  Visit my website or a provider near you to learn more.

Daniel Ruter, MD · Answer

Dr. Ruter here from Syracuse Plastic Surgery in Syracuse NY. I advise my liposuction patients that their post liposuction swelling won't subside until at least 3 months after surgery. Your final result can take up to a year. With that being said, you do have some skin laxity. I like to combine liposuction and renuvion (a J-plasma surgical skin tightening device) at the same time. It allows me to remove fat with liposuction and tighten the tissue connecting the skin to the abdominal wall while also remodeling the skin. You see good initial results with even better results between 3-6 months once the renuvion has done its thing. For patients who already have had liposuction you can do renuvion as an individual procedure. I would wait a minimum of 3 months after, but preferably 6. It is an expensive device and takes time to use so the cost will be similar to the liposuction you had done. Not all plastic surgeons have it. Use the Renuvion practice locator to find a plastic surgeon who does, otherwise you can make your way to Syracuse and I'd be happy to see you here.

Male, late 20s, how to tighten the loose skin on my stomach?

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