What procedure will tighten skin around belly button? (photos)

Question

I had LIPO and feel my skin looks very blotchy now . But most importantly I hate the extra droopy ness around my belly button. Any Recs on how to get rid of this

Jerimiah Mason, MD · Answer

Liposuction alone can lead to some extra skin laxity, particularly over the belly button.  I would recommend seeing a surgeon experienced in revision liposuction, and consider bodytite or renuvion to tighten that skin.

Carey Nease, MD · Answer

Hey there,The best treatment for mild skin laxity on the abdomen is microneedling with radiofrequency energy (current options include Morpheus and Virtue RF). A series of 3 treatments should help. Does not look like you need a tummy tuck, which is a big surgery with a big scar. Hope that helps!

Mohammed Asif, MD · Answer

Hi. Sorry you didn’t have the desired results but my team can help you. When was your liposuction done? Was there any energy device used? Happy to answer questions:) liposuction combo body tite can be powerful for your body type. Thanks

Joshua T Halka, MD · Answer

Hello,
When it comes to the abdominal skin, patients often want to have liposuction performed as they want to avoid the large tummy tuck scars, which makes sense. But often what the patient really needs is a tummy tuck, because liposuction doesn't do much to tighten the skin, and the ability of the skin to retract/tighten after liposuction is the worst in the front of the abdomen. If there was loose skin before the liposuction, it often doesn't improve or even gets significantly worse after liposuction, because now you don't have the fat underneath to stretch the skin. 
Although tummy tuck scars are long, if performed properly they are hidden underneath the underwear or bikini and are never seen. Additionally, tummy tucks allow for the abdominal muscles to be repaired and brought closer together as they tend to pull apart with weight gain, pregnancy, or even aging, which causes your abdomen to never look as flat as it did when you were young. 
In short, if you still have loose skin after having abdominal liposuction performed, don't let people sell you on some sort of "high tech skin tightening procedure". Removing the skin with a tummy tuck is what you need.
Hope this helps!

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

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear chub,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering treatment, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Giuseppe Fiore, MD · Answer

Hi Thanks for your question. 
There are several skin-tightening methods (surgical and non- surgical) for the abdominal area. It is important a detailed assessment of the area to be treated, your skin e.g. elasticity, muscle tone, age, history of significant weight fluctuations, previous pregnancies etc.  The most invasive option is Tummy Tuck. This procedure involves removing excess skin but it is quite invasive and leaves a long scar. In my opinion and based on the photos provided you are not suitable for this procedure. In my clinical practice, if the patient refuses to undergo to this invasive procedure, then I offer an alternative and less invasive option. My experience is with Bodytite in combination with Morpheus 8 (3 sessions 4 to 6 weeks apart ), Renuvion-J plasma (requires only 1 session) , Exilis 360 Ultra ( Radiofrequency and Ultrasound) that require 5 to 10 sessions usually once a week. I also combine the above procedures with Profhilo, collagen-stimulating dermal fillers ( e.g. Radiesse, Sculptra etc. ), collagen drink and skincare in indicated. It is important also aftercare program and lifestyle ( healthy diet and regular exercise, avoid direct sun exposure, good hydration) however the results are never guarantee because each patient is different and the results varies patient to patient. I would recommend to make an appointment with a surgeon expert in body contouring and skin tightening procedures for a medical assessment in order to make a bespoke treatment plan if indicated. Hope this helps, Best Wishes, Dr Giuseppe Fiore

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

Multiple modalities should be helpful.  Radio-frequency ,  Microneedle Radio-frequency  and Focused Ultrasound can be utilized. Multiple sessions may be needed. Find an expert.
Jeff Rapaport MD FAAD 
Realself Hall of Fame

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

The appearance of loose saggy skin in the periumbilical (the area around the navel) is a common occurrence with the passage of time, but particularly after pregnancy; significant , dramatic weight loss; and liposuction. I have personally found that the use of a robust HA filler injected with the proper technique in the proper vectors and supplmented with small boluses of a diluated, low viscosity, cohesive HA filler,  can help to "pull tighter" the periumbilical region and smooth the surrounding area. Be wary of all the heavy marketing and social media claims for this or that expensive, "bells and whistles" fraxel laser, RF, or RF microneedling devices, as these are unfortunately backed up far more by the hype than any hard science. You would be wise to consult an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist. .