Tummy Tuck or Laser treatments for loose skin above belly button? (Photos)

Question

I had a mini tuck in 2021 and it looked great at the time.  But now at 55 in 2026, I see loose skin above my belly button and I am well aware a full tummy would have addressed this unforeseen issue.  I have reached out to my plastic surgeon and he said it would be able to do a full tummy tuck with a couple verticle scars.  However, I also reached out to another plastic surgeon and she suggested a) Tightsculpt, Endotight, PDO Threads for $10,200.  And another option: J-Plasma, Vaser, Tightsculpt under local for $11,350.  I saw this before and after (on Google search) on Morpheus laser.  But I'm hearing so many conflicting reviews on Morpheus, SylFirm, etc.  It's confusing to make a decision based on various opinions.  But if tummy tuck is the only real solution, I would consider it.  Just bummed because my scars from the mini TT are fading. But if I were to get good results from laser, I would be more open to that more. I really don't want to go the surgery route but would like advice on what would get good results.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

A full, traditional tummy tuck will give best results. This will tighten skin from above the belly button to pubis.

Unfortunately, since you already had mini TT, may not be enough skin to avoid a small T at bottom and/or small slit from where belly button is now.

In my experience, all the different skin tightening modalities will work only to a degree and you’ll want the tummy tuck afterwards.

You can further discuss revision with your plastic surgeon.

Nicholas Lahar, MD · Answer

Hi MissL, thanks for your question. Overall I think you look great but can see what you mean about some skin laxity of your upper abdomen. I use a good amount of radio frequency skin tightening and one problem with it is that it is a little unpredictable in terms of how well it will shrink skin to lay perfectly flat. For people who are interested in just tightening the skin to avoid a bigger procedure I think it is a great option but there is unfortunately some unpredictability with it. I am not sure in your case that a skin tightening procedure would make a reliable significant difference. But if you were absolutely opposed to a skin removal procedure, I think it would be your best option. 
Have you given consideration to a reverse tummy tuck? Pull up on your abdominal skin and see whether that improves your abdominal appearance. The reverse tummy tuck is a little bit of an unusual procedure, but it is great for upper abdominal laxity, especially since your lower abdomen is flat and as you said, the scar has started healing well. The reverse tummy tuck lifts up upper abdominal skin, but does leave a scar underneath the breasts. If you have had a breast lift, these scars are already there and not as big of a deal but I get that it's not for everyone. The scar does tend to hide under the breast, however and can definitely smooth out the upper abdominal skin without having to do a full on tummy tuck. Great option in appropriately chosen patient

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello MissL in Redwood City, CA, Thank you for your question regarding tummy tuck or laser treatments for loose skin above belly button.  Thank you for your pictures and your history.  Let's analyze your abdomen.  You have excess loose skin above your umbilicus.  Due to your age and quality of skin, most plastic surgeons would suggest a definitive surgery, like a full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).  Tightsculpt, Endotight, PDO threads, Morpheus, J-Plasma, VASER may work A LITTLE individually or even A LITTLE together.  However, these modalities are unpredictable and "not guaranteed".  You have already undergone a smaller procedure (mini-tummy tuck) possibly in an attempt to minimize scar and recovery time.  However, perhaps you did not achieve the results desired in your upper abdomen.  A formal abdominoplasty (with a floating belly button technique) would achieve the best option.  You could have the high lateral tension or low transverse tummy tuck.  Discuss these options with your selected plastic surgeon.  In conclusion, go with the more definitive and predicable surgery, namely the tummy tuck.  You may be wasting your money and time on less invasive techniques.  If you have any more questions regarding tummy tucks, abdominoplasties or abdominal liposuction, contact an experienced plastic surgeon. Since the tummy tuck surgery is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in performing tummy tucks.  Do your research.   If you cannot find an experienced tummy tuck plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS. (Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric 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, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

The loose skin above your umbilicus is not easily corrected. As you are aware, there are a number of non surgical options using a number of different machines. In my experience, none of these devices obtain the best results. The only definitive way to correct this is with a full abdominoplasty. There is no downside to trying these machines first and will not affect your abdominoplasty if you finally have it done.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear MissL,

based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I have never been impressed with the skin tightening techniques. A tummy tuck can tighten the skin but you do not have much redundancy because of the previous mini tummy tuck. However, there is an alternative. If you need a breast lift I recommend the Bellesoma. This lifts the upper abdominal skin, much like an upside down tummy tuck.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for the question. The only option I would consider is a full tummy tuck, and I would not trust any of the treatments that you mentioned.
I wish you the best. 
Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACSDouble Board Certified Plastic SurgeonHouston, TX.

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Aquí es donde necesitas claridad para no confundirte con tantas opciones.

Abdominoplastia completa
	•	Elimina piel sobrante de forma directa
	•	Tensa toda la pared abdominal (arriba y abajo del ombligo)
	•	Es la única opción que realmente corrige flacidez moderada a severa
	•	Implica nuevas cicatrices (incluyendo, en tu caso, posiblemente verticales)

Tratamientos como láser, radiofrecuencia, J-Plasma, Morpheus, hilos, etc.
	•	Mejoran la calidad de la piel
	•	Dan cierta contracción
	•	Funcionan mejor en flacidez leve
	•	No eliminan piel sobrante

⸻

En tu caso específico

Por lo que describes (y lo que suele pasar tras una mini con los años), ya hay una flacidez visible por encima del ombligo.

Esto cambia completamente la recomendación:
	•	Los tratamientos no quirúrgicos pueden mejorar un poco la textura
	•	Pero no van a tensar esa piel de forma suficiente
	•	Es muy probable que inviertas dinero y el cambio sea sutil

⸻

Sobre las opciones que te ofrecieron

Es importante que lo veas con objetividad:
	•	Combinaciones como Tightsculpt, Endotight, hilos PDO o energía (Morpheus, SylFirm)
→ pueden dar un efecto leve a moderado, pero no comparable a cirugía
	•	J-Plasma o Vaser
→ ayudan a retraer piel, pero no sustituyen una abdominoplastia cuando hay exceso real de piel

⸻

Mi recomendación honesta como cirujana

Si tu prioridad es un cambio visible y duradero:
	•	La abdominoplastia completa es la única que realmente va a resolver el problema

Si tu prioridad es evitar cirugía a toda costa:
	•	Puedes intentar tratamientos, pero debes hacerlo con expectativas realistas
	•	El resultado será una mejoría leve, no una corrección completa

⸻

Sobre las cicatrices (sé que esto te preocupa)

Es completamente válido que te desanime perder el resultado estético de tu mini.

Pero también es importante pensar en esto:
	•	Puedes tener una cicatriz más larga, pero un abdomen firme
	•	O mantener cicatrices más “bonitas”, pero con flacidez visible

No hay una decisión correcta universal, solo la que mejor se alinee contigo.

⸻

Para ayudarte a decidir mejor

Hazte esta pregunta clave:

¿Prefiero una mejora leve sin cirugía o una corrección real aunque implique nuevas cicatrices?

Esa respuesta te va a dar mucha claridad.

Francesco Campanile, MD · Answer

Laser and energy-based treatments can offer mild skin tightening, but they are not always effective for significant loose skin. In your case, you may see some noticeable results with nonsurgical skin-tightening options, though the best way to determine if you are a tummy tuck candidate is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. When skin laxity exists above the belly button, it can sometimes indicate that the underlying skin envelope has stretched beyond what noninvasive treatments can correct.

That said, if your concern is mild and primarily related to skin quality rather than excess skin, nonsurgical treatments may offer improvement.

That said, if your concern is mild and primarily related to skin quality rather than excess skin, nonsurgical treatments may offer improvement.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Your photos demonstrate the wrinkling of above the belly button skin before doing any major surgery. I would attempt a non-surgical or minimally, invasive surgical procedure at this point I think the best option would be the end of Lyft laser treatment, possibly 2 to 3 sessions every 3 to 6 weeks. Expect fees to arrange from 2500 per session to 5000 per session. Best of virtual consult with for more information.

Tummy Tuck or Laser treatments for loose skin above belly button? (Photos)

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