The rise of GLP-1 medications has revolutionized weight loss for many residents along the Treasure Coast, unlocking a door that previously felt permanently shut. However, as local physicians in Vero Beach are discovering, rapid and significant weight loss often presents a new challenge: loose, sagging skin that refuses to snap back into place. At Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery, Dr. Alan Durkin is addressing this specific issue with advanced, non-surgical technology designed to complete the patient’s transformation.
Dr. Durkin, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the chairman of the division of plastic surgery at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, notes that the popularity of these medications has “exploded” the wellness side of his practice. While these drugs offer a pathway to a healthy weight, the resulting skin laxity around the abdomen, arms, thighs, and neck can overshadow the patient’s success.
To combat this, Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery has integrated the Renuvion AYON body contouring system into their treatment options. This FDA-cleared platform represents a significant shift from traditional methods that required long incisions and extended recovery periods.
The best incision I make is the incision I don’t make. This non-surgical, power-assisted liposuction removes loose wrinkles through just two or three tiny poke holes. You do lose fat, but the real magic is tightening the skin.
The Renuvion AYON system distinguishes itself from standard liposuction by targeting both fat and the underlying connective tissue simultaneously. The technology works through a unique dual-action process:
- Radiofrequency (RF) Energy: A long, thin instrument delivers RF energy to deep tissue layers, which stimulates collagen production to create thicker, firmer skin over time.
- Cold Helium Plasma: At the same moment RF energy is applied, helium plasma rapidly cools the tissue, allowing for higher, more effective temperatures without compromising safety.
According to Dr. Durkin, this combination allows for immediate results where the fascia tightens and collagen creation is triggered. The procedure is designed to address the specific areas where weight-loss patients struggle most, including the belly and thighs, often with virtually no scarring.
Beyond the aesthetic technology, Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery emphasizes that body contouring is just one component of a broader wellness philosophy. The practice manages the weight-loss process metabolically, prescribing and monitoring GLP-1 medications alongside quarterly lab work. This ensures patients remain healthy while utilizing hormone replacement and peptide therapies to support energy levels and metabolism.
The ultimate goal for these Vero Beach patients is not just a change in appearance, but a return to an active lifestyle. Dr. Durkin notes that many of his patients, having reached their ideal weight and addressed loose skin, are taking up physical activities like rock climbing and dancing that were previously out of reach.
Residents interested in learning more about these post-weight-loss contouring advancements can visit Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery online or contact their Vero Beach office directly.
