Is it common practice to use Renuvion (J-Plasma) after liposuction for skin tightening?

Question

Hi - I’m scheduled to have lipedema lipo in LA in October. They list Renuvion after lipo for skin tightening for some areas. Is this a common practice? I read that the FDA has not cleared this product/practice for this purpose. Maybe I misunderstood? Thanks!

Jerimiah Mason, MD · Answer

Yes, it is very common to use Renuvion after liposuction. The FDA is usually a decade behind common and well accepted medical practice, as is the case here. We almost exclusively use it immediately after liposuction, and it produces consistently good results.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Renuvion is using heat to help tighten skin and has been used safely for quite some time. Other types of machines like ThermiTight, are also available and have been for quite some time.  For actual lipedema and not just excess fat, you skin may be thicker and may not respond quite as well.

Sean Satey, MD, FACS · Answer

Renuvion J plasma is an amazing adjunct procedure post liposuction if performed by experienced surgeons and on the right patients. After lipo is performed (traditional vs VASER), the remaining anchoring ligaments of the skin to the underlying muscles are referred to as the FSN or fibroseptal network. What renuvion J Plasma does is cause contracture (shrinking) of the FSN. 
Renuvion J plasma is NOT a substitute for a skin excision- and this is where most surgeons inexperienced with the device find themselves getting into trouble, or stating that the device does not work. Renuvion J plasma does NOT address skin redundancy (skin excess) but rather helps with skin laxity (skin looseness). It also tightens the skin by about 40-50% as opposed to a traditional excision (or cut). The major benefit is that there is no large incision associated with the procedure as it can be done through the same poke hole incisions as the lipo. 
The FDA has cleared the product for "improvement of the appearance of loose skin" of the neck. In my practice, we offer this on all areas of the body that may benefit from a minimally invasive approach to tighten or address the skin, off label. A great parallel can be Botox. Botox was initially only FDA approved for use on frown lines (between the brows). It was used, however, on the forehead and crow's feet as common practice, off label, with great results. Today, Botox is FDA approved for all three areas. I find this to be the case with Renuvion J plasma as well. 
The goal is to always set realistic expectations with your patients, and I encourage you to have frank discussions with your surgeon on what he/she expects to see post-op. 
Warm regards, 
Dr. Satey

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you are a good candidate for J Plasma and your surgeon recommends it for you, it can be a great tool in conjunction with liposuction.  Liposuction alone does not tighten skin but J-Plasma can help shrink the tissues resulting in a better result for good candidates.  I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

My first hand experience using it Renuvion for one year did not deliver impressive results and I have since sold the device.
It is not considered standard of care and in my opinion the device grossly fails to deliver.
Renuvion is typically done immediately after liposuction as a combined procedure. it is difficult to use the device if Liposuction is not done first.
It has a secondary facial application for ablative skin treatment which is completely different than skin tightening on the body.
Personally I would skip Renuvion and focus all efforts on finding the most experienced and talented plastic surgeon for your needs. I suggest doing that by having multiple in person consultations. During in person consultations ask each provider to show their entire collection of before and after pictures especially of patients with similar body characteristics to your own.
Experienced surgeons should have hundreds of before and after pictures to choose from and a substantial number of patients with similar body characteristics to your own.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Is it common practice to use Renuvion (J-Plasma) after liposuction for skin tightening?

Answers (5)

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