Fat comes out. What tightens the skin?
Liposuction removes fat with excellent precision. What it doesn't do — and what surgeons have historically had few good tools to address without formal excisional surgery — is tighten the skin envelope left behind. For patients with good skin elasticity, natural retraction over the following months does most of the work. For patients with modest laxity, the gap between what liposuction can remove and what an excisional tummy tuck or body lift would require has been meaningful.
Renuvion fills that gap. The technology delivers helium-plasma combined with radiofrequency energy subdermally — under the skin surface but above the underlying tissues — producing controlled thermal contraction of the fibrous septa that hold skin to underlying structures. The effect is skin tightening in the treated area, delivered through the same small liposuction access incisions in the same operating session.
Dr. Douglas Hendricks is regionally recognized as one of the leading Renuvion surgeons in Southern California. His practice motto — 'Plastic surgery must always whisper, never scream' — describes the aesthetic Renuvion enables: refined contouring with tightened skin, without the incisions and recovery of formal excisional procedures. Other affiliated surgeons at NCSS also perform Renuvion where their body-contouring work calls for it.
When Renuvion makes the difference.
Renuvion addresses the gap between liposuction alone and formal excisional surgery — for patients with modest skin laxity who want meaningful tightening without major incisions.
Liposuction candidate with modest skin laxity
The primary use case. Liposuction removes fat and Renuvion tightens the envelope in the same session, refining what neither alone would fully address.
Post-weight-loss patients with modest excess
Patients whose weight loss produced modest skin laxity that doesn't warrant formal excisional body lift surgery but would benefit from tightening.
Age-related skin laxity in specific regions
Neck, upper arms, inner thighs, abdomen — areas where surgical excision would leave visible scarring but where the skin has softened enough to benefit from tightening.
Standalone skin tightening candidates
Some patients have adequate contour but want skin tightening alone. Renuvion can be performed as a standalone procedure without liposuction, though the paired use is more common.
Realistic expectations about what Renuvion can and cannot do
Renuvion produces meaningful tightening — typically 25–40% skin contraction depending on baseline laxity and treatment area. It is not a substitute for tummy tuck or body lift when substantial skin excess is present.
Every scheduled surgical patient is offered a free Rest-Assure pre-operative consultation with Dr. Rand Scott personally — medical history, medication planning, and discharge coordination before surgery day.
Three stages, one procedure.
Renuvion is typically delivered in the same operating session as liposuction — through the same small access incisions, with no additional scarring.
Same-session liposuction access
In most cases, Renuvion is delivered through the same small liposuction access incisions used for fat removal — no additional scarring.
Subdermal application
The Renuvion probe is inserted under the skin surface but above the underlying muscle/fascia. Helium plasma combined with radiofrequency energy is delivered to the fibrous septa that connect skin to underlying tissue.
Controlled thermal contraction
The energy produces controlled thermal effect on the septa, causing them to contract and pull the overlying skin tighter over the treated area.
Multiple treatment planes
For larger areas, the treatment is delivered in a controlled pattern across the anatomic region to produce even skin tightening rather than isolated tight spots.
Standalone application (no liposuction)
For patients who need only skin tightening, small access incisions are made at the periphery of the treatment area and the Renuvion probe delivered in the same subdermal plane.
Combined with excisional procedures
Occasionally Renuvion is used alongside a tummy tuck or body lift to fine-tune areas that weren't part of the excisional work.
Every Renuvion procedure at NCSS is performed under physician anesthesia — no CRNAs, no exceptions — in our AAAHC-accredited operating rooms.
Two sites. One recovery.
Renuvion recovery mirrors liposuction recovery when performed together — compression garment, progressive return to activity, and a biological tightening process that continues for months.
Discharged same day. Compression garment worn continuously over the treated area. Some drainage and swelling normal.
Compression continues. Bruising and swelling in the treated area; most patients return to desk work at day 5–7.
Progressive return to normal activity. Compression garment continues. Skin tightening begins to become visible as swelling resolves.
Progressive skin tightening as the treated tissue contracts. Peak contraction typically at 3 months, continuing modestly through 6 months.
Final skin tightening result apparent. Compression discontinued long before this point but the biological tightening continues.
Results are durable. Skin continues to age normally over years — Renuvion doesn't stop aging, it addresses the current laxity.
Every Renuvion patient at NCSS is covered by our Rest-Assure program: physician anesthesia on the day of surgery, one nurse from arrival through discharge, and post-operative direct access to your surgeon — not an answering service.
Dr. Hendricks anchors the program. Others contribute where it fits.
Renuvion is anchored by Dr. Hendricks, whose regional recognition as a Renuvion practitioner is one of the reasons his practice is a reference point for refined body contouring. Other affiliated surgeons perform Renuvion where their body-contouring work benefits from it.
Dr. Hendricks
LASER LEADER · RENUVION PRACTITIONERTriple-boarded; regionally recognized as a Renuvion practitioner; often pairs Renuvion with liposuction for refined body contouring.
View surgeon →Dr. Toohey
Renuvion + BodyAll-UC training; combines Renuvion with body contouring where indicated.
View surgeon →Dr. Bernett
Full ContinuumUC Irvine trained; Renuvion as part of full body-contouring practice.
View surgeon →Dr. Andre
New GenerationCoast-to-coast training; modern approach to Renuvion in body contouring.
View surgeon →The right starting point is a conversation.
Every consultation at NCSS begins with time — time to understand your goals, your health history, and which of our affiliated surgeons is the right fit for your specific situation.
Call (949) 644-8182Monday–Thursday, 8am–3pm · Friday by appointment only.
Related procedures.
Liposuction
The primary pairing — liposuction removes fat, Renuvion tightens the envelope in the same session.
Learn more →VASER
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction that pairs with Renuvion for comprehensive body contouring.
Learn more →Body Lift
The excisional alternative when skin laxity is beyond what Renuvion can address alone.
Learn more →