Stomach texture concern post tummy tuck - Would microneedling or Morpheus8 help?

Question

I am 7 months post tummy tuck (muscle repair, hernia repair). INow that the swelling has subsided I see some texture. Looks like stretch marks, crepey skin in some areas. Would micro needling or morpheus 8 help with that? Which would be a better option? Other than that I am happy with the results.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

With a properly done tummy tuck you need to balance the amount of skin to remove with ensuring that your waist has enough skin laxity to move and that you don't overly shorten your waist.  In your case, I think your surgeon did a nice job balancing your skin removal.  However, even in cases like yours you can still feel like the skin as some mild excess and creepiness or poor elasticity.  Instead of more skin removal, I would suggest a non-invasive option like Renuvion or XERF which tighten excess skin.  You will recover quickly from either of these procedures.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

As a board-certified dermatologist, I see this fairly often after tummy tuck procedures, and what you’re describing—mild texture changes, crepey skin, and stretch-mark–like areas—is very common once swelling fully settles.

The good news is that both microneedling and Morpheus8 can help, but they serve slightly different purposes.

Microneedling is excellent for improving skin texture and stretch marks. It works by stimulating collagen through controlled micro-injury, which helps smooth the skin over time. It’s a great option if your main concern is surface texture and you prefer a more gradual, lower-cost approach with minimal downtime.

Morpheus8 (RF microneedling) goes a step further by adding heat energy deeper into the skin. This makes it better for crepey skin and mild laxity, because it not only improves texture but also tightens the skin. For post-abdominoplasty patients who notice that slightly “looser” or thinner-looking skin quality, this is often the more effective option.

At 7 months post-op, you’re in a good window to start either treatment.

My general approach:

- If the issue is mostly stretch marks and mild texture → start with microneedling
- If there is crepey skin or subtle laxity → Morpheus8 tends to give better overall improvement

Most patients need a series (typically 3–4 sessions), and improvement is gradual over a few months as collagen rebuilds.

It’s also important to set expectations: these treatments can significantly improve the appearance, but they won’t completely erase stretch marks or fully “tighten” skin the way surgery does.

If you’d like, I can help you decide between the two based on your skin type, severity, and whether downtime is a concern.

Stomach texture concern post tummy tuck - Would microneedling or Morpheus8 help?

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