Renuvion, also called J-Plasma, is a skin tightening treatment that can be added to a Lipo 360 procedure to firm loose or crepey skin that liposuction alone cannot address. Lipo 360 removes stubborn fat around the full midsection, but it does not tighten the skin that covered that fat. For patients with mild to moderate skin laxity, adding Renuvion during the same surgery is designed to deliver a smoother, more contoured result. The right approach depends on your skin quality, age, and weight history, which Dr. Pey-Yi Kevin Lin evaluates at your consultation at Chicago Breast and Body Aesthetics.
Key Takeaways
- Renuvion with Lipo 360 pairs fat removal and skin tightening in one procedure, addressing what liposuction alone leaves behind.
- The best candidates have mild to moderate skin laxity. Significant loose skin may still need a tummy tuck.
- Renuvion uses helium plasma and radiofrequency energy under the skin to firm the tissue layer.
- Recovery runs alongside your Lipo 360 recovery, with compression garments worn for several weeks.
- A combined Lipo 360 with Renuvion falls within CBB’s all-inclusive $8,995 to $12,995 Lipo 360 range, depending on areas and technique.
What is Renuvion (J-Plasma) and how does it work with Lipo 360?
Renuvion is a soft tissue tightening technology that combines helium plasma with radiofrequency energy to firm the layer beneath the skin. During a combined procedure, your surgeon first performs the Lipo 360 to remove fat from the abdomen, flanks, and lower back, then passes a thin Renuvion wand through the same small incisions to treat the underside of the skin.
The two procedures solve two different problems. Liposuction takes away the fat. Renuvion is designed to address the skin that used to sit over it. Think of skin like a fitted sheet. When you remove the volume underneath, loose or thinner skin may not snap back on its own, especially as you get older or after weight changes. Renuvion delivers radiofrequency energy beneath the skin to stimulate collagen contraction, which is designed to firm and smooth the tissue surface without an external incision.
This is why many patients searching for J-plasma skin tightening find their way to body contouring content. The technology is rarely used by itself for the midsection. It works best as a companion to liposuction, not a replacement for it.
Who needs skin tightening after liposuction?
Not every Lipo 360 patient needs Renuvion. Skin tightening matters most when your skin has lost some of its natural elasticity. Three factors drive that.
- Age. Skin elasticity declines over time. Patients in their late 30s and beyond are more likely to benefit from added tightening.
- Weight loss history. If you have lost a significant amount of weight, through diet, exercise, or a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic or Wegovy, your skin may have stretched and lost some of its ability to contract.
- Skin quality. Genetics, sun exposure, and pregnancy all affect how skin responds once the fat beneath it is removed.
Many patients tell us a version of the same thing: “I lost the weight but now I have all this extra skin.” That is the exact situation Renuvion is designed to help with, as long as the laxity is mild to moderate. Patients with a significant amount of hanging skin, often after pregnancy or major weight loss, are usually better served by a tummy tuck, which removes the excess skin directly. Renuvion firms skin. It does not remove it.
The honest distinction most blogs skip: Renuvion is a tightening tool, not a skin removal tool. If a surgeon promises that energy-based tightening alone will fix loose, hanging skin, that is a red flag. A good consultation will tell you which category you fall into, even when the answer is the more involved procedure.
What happens during a combined Lipo 360 and Renuvion procedure?
A combined procedure is performed in CBB’s on-site AAAHC-accredited surgical suite, typically under general anesthesia. The sequence is straightforward.
- Liposuction first. Dr. Lin removes fat from the abdomen, waist, flanks, and lower back through small, discreet incisions to reshape the full midsection.
- Renuvion second. Through those same incisions, the Renuvion wand delivers helium plasma and radiofrequency energy to the underside of the skin.
- Garment and recovery setup. You are fitted with a compression garment before you leave.
Because Renuvion adds steps, a combined procedure takes longer in the operating room than Lipo 360 alone. That added time is one reason the cost is higher, which we cover below.
Renuvion with Lipo 360 recovery: how it differs from Lipo 360 alone
Recovery from a combined procedure follows the same general path as a standard Lipo 360, with a few differences worth planning for.
| Recovery factor | Lipo 360 alone | Lipo 360 with Renuvion |
|---|---|---|
| Compression garment | Several weeks, 24/7 then daytime | Several weeks, 24/7 then daytime |
| Desk work return | Around 5 to 7 days | Around 5 to 7 days |
| Light exercise | Around 2 to 3 weeks | Around 2 to 3 weeks |
| Skin sensation | Numbness, tingling | Numbness, tingling, possible added tightness |
| Final skin result | Visible as swelling resolves | Skin firmness continues to refine over months |
The most important thing to understand is timing. The fat removal result shows up as swelling goes down over the first few months. The skin tightening result from Renuvion continues to refine gradually, so the firmer surface is something you grow into rather than see overnight. Individual results may vary, and your final outcome depends on your starting skin quality.
You wear your compression garment to support healing and help your skin settle against its new contour. Most patients return to desk work within about a week, though everyone heals at their own pace.
Renuvion with Lipo 360 cost at Chicago Breast and Body Aesthetics
A combined Lipo 360 with Renuvion at Chicago Breast and Body Aesthetics falls within the all-inclusive $8,995 to $12,995 Lipo 360 range, depending on how many areas are treated and the technique used. Renuvion adds roughly 30 to 45 minutes of surgical time, and your exact quote is confirmed at your consultation.
Your quote is all-inclusive and covers your surgeon’s fee, the accredited facility fee, anesthesia, one compression garment, and your follow-up visits. Anesthesia is included in the quoted price, though it is billed as its own line item so you know the cost upfront. Financing through Cherry and CareCredit is available to spread the investment over time.
Patients often frame this as wasted money if they are not sure they need the skin tightening. The opposite is usually true. Paying for Renuvion when your skin does not need it is the waste. Skipping it when your skin quality calls for it can leave you wishing you had addressed both at once, since adding it later means a second surgery.
Before and after results: Lipo 360 with and without skin tightening
The clearest way to understand the difference is to look at results side by side. In patients with firm, elastic skin, Lipo 360 alone often produces a smooth, snatched waistline because the skin contracts naturally over the new contour. In patients with looser skin, the same fat removal can leave a surface that looks slightly soft or crepey, which is where Renuvion earns its place.
You can review real patient outcomes in CBB’s Renuvion before and after photos and Lipo 360 before and after gallery. When you look, pay attention to the patients whose skin quality and body type resemble yours. That comparison is more useful than any single dramatic result. Individual results may vary.
Ready to find out if you need Renuvion with your Lipo 360?
The only way to know whether skin tightening belongs in your plan is a consultation. Dr. Truong or Dr. Lin will assess your skin elasticity, review your goals, and give you a custom quote with no obligation.
Call or text: (312) 846-1529
Schedule a complimentary virtual consultation or in-person visit. We see patients from all over the country and coordinate travel and virtual follow-ups for those outside Chicago.
Location: 467 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Renuvion and Lipo 360?
Lipo 360 removes fat from the full midsection, while Renuvion tightens the skin over that area. They solve different problems, which is why they are often performed together. Liposuction handles volume. Renuvion handles skin firmness.
Do I need Renuvion if I get Lipo 360?
Not necessarily. Patients with firm, elastic skin often get a smooth result from Lipo 360 alone because their skin contracts naturally. Renuvion is added when skin laxity is mild to moderate, which is more common with age or after weight loss.
Can Renuvion replace a tummy tuck?
No. Renuvion firms skin but does not remove it. Patients with significant loose or hanging skin, often after pregnancy or major weight loss, usually need a tummy tuck to remove the excess. A consultation determines which procedure fits your skin.
How much does Renuvion with Lipo 360 cost in Chicago?
A combined Lipo 360 with Renuvion at Chicago Breast and Body Aesthetics falls within the all-inclusive $8,995 to $12,995 Lipo 360 range, depending on the areas treated and technique. Renuvion adds roughly 30 to 45 minutes of surgical time, and your exact quote, which includes surgeon, facility, anesthesia, garment, and follow-ups, is confirmed at consultation.
Is Renuvion skin tightening permanent?
Renuvion is designed to firm the treated tissue, and those changes are long lasting when you maintain a stable weight. Natural aging continues over time, so results can gradually soften across many years. Maintaining your weight protects your outcome.
How long is recovery for Lipo 360 with Renuvion?
Most patients return to desk work in about 5 to 7 days and light exercise in 2 to 3 weeks, similar to Lipo 360 alone. You wear a compression garment for several weeks. The skin tightening result continues to refine gradually over the following months.
Who performs Renuvion with Lipo 360 at Chicago Breast and Body?
Dr. Anh-Tuan Truong, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon who specializes in body contouring, performs combined Lipo 360 and Renuvion procedures. Dr. Pey-Yi Kevin Lin also consults on body contouring. Both surgeons evaluate skin quality and candidacy at your visit.
Clinical evidence and sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Liposuction overview and patient safety guidance: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction
- American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, body contouring procedure information: https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/body/
- Apyx Medical, Renuvion technology and indications: https://renuvion.com/
Medical Disclaimer
This content has been medically reviewed by Dr. Pey-Yi Kevin Lin, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Individual results may vary. Candidacy, risks, and expected outcomes can only be determined after a private consultation and examination with Dr. Truong or Dr. Lin at Chicago Breast and Body Aesthetics.
Last medically reviewed: 2026-06-22
