San Diego Mini Tummy Tuck doctors
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Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
8851 Center Drive Suite 300, San Diego |
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164 answers |
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Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
4060 4th ave Suite 120, San Diego |
4 answers | |
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Vincent P. Marin, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
1431 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar |
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2 answers |
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Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 Ximed Building |
2 answers | |
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Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
477 North El Camino Real Suite D-304, Encinitas |
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1 answer |
Recent Answers
Hello, My insurance is going to pay for me to have a Panniculectomy and Recti Repair surgery. Is this the same thing as a mini tummy tuck or is it a full tummy tuck? Thank You
Thank you for the question.
No, a panniculectomy is very different operation than the mini tummy tuck operation.
A panniculectomy involves removal of a usually very large abdominal wall “apron” consisting of excess skin and adipose tissue. Usually this operation involves excision of the extra “folds” the lower abdominal wall ( that may be present after weight loss etc.). This operation does not necessarily involve muscle plication. This operation is usually indicated for patients who have spent significant weight gain/loss and are left with significant excess skin and subcutaneous tissue “folds”.
Mini tummy tuck surgery on the other hand, involves excision of a small amount of “excess” skin and subcutaneous tissues above the pubic area, usually plication of the rectus muscles up to the umbilicus. It does not involve the movement of the umbilicus and/or application up to the xiphoid process of the sternum. This operation does not necessarily address the appearance of the umbilicus and/or the appearance of the skin/subcutaneous tissues above the umbilicus. This operation tends to have very limited indications and very limited results.
A full tummy tuck procedure usually involves removal of the excess skin and adipose tissue from slightly above the belly button down to the pubic bone. This operation addresses the appearance of the entire abdominal wall skin/ subcutaneous layer as well as the appearance of the umbilicus. Muscle plication (repair) is usually performed from the xiphoid process of the sternum down to the pubic bone. This operation is the most commonly performed of the three operations and is usually indicated for patients who have had pregnancies and/or weight gain/loss.
I hope this helps.
I would like to get rid of my loose skin, the strech marks are below my navel, and i work out an hour a day, my upper abs are in great shape, i feel that my lower abs are tight too, underneath this lose skin. are there any other options? I am 5'6 and 112. my body is in great shape, and even with a 32 nearly A bra size i am satisfied with my body, I cant miss more than 3 days of work, but good lord my bodies never looked better and my kids are grown, ive been caring this skin for 20 of my 38 yrs
Thank you for the question and pictures.
Based on your pictures and history, I think you will be much better off with a full tummy tuck procedure. Recovery time will be a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks depending on what type of work you do.
The mini tummy talk is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For example, the area of skin excised is quite small. The abdominal wall musculature is addressed below the umbilicus leaving the upper number wall potentially lax. The appearance of the umbilicus is not necessarily addressed sufficiently.
For most patients who have had pregnancies and/or weight loss a full abdominoplasty is necessary to achieve the desired results. Of course, there are downsides (including a longer scar and probably a longer recovery time) but for most patients the benefits outweigh the downsides. It is not unusual to see patients who've had mini tummy tuck surgery present for revisionary surgery. It is important for patients seeking abdominal contouring surgery to work with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon to obtain advice (based on good ethics and judgment) to improve their chances of a successful outcome and minimize the need for further surgery.
I hope this helps.
Had twins, now my belly looks like shown. Considering ‘having it fixed’/improved. Not so much concerned about belly’s flatness (or lack thereof), it’s more the extra and torn skin I’d like to get rid of! Is it possible to fix this? Would that be a full TT, or mini? I keep reading a mini TT doesn’t do much/doesn’t take out enough skin, on the other hand I’ve seen those hip2hip scars from full TTs that .. aren’t overly pretty either. I do have a C-sec scar though, could the surgeon work w this?
Thank you for the question and pictures.
Congratulations on your successful twin pregnancy.
I think you will benefit from a full tummy tuck procedure. Your C-section scar can be extended to perform the procedure. Most patients who have had twin pregnancies to have significant spreading of the rectus muscles that benefit from plication ('repair"). You are correct in that the mini tummy tuck would not be sufficient.
As you mention, the downside of this operation is the scar. most patients are willing to accept the scar ( hidden in undergarments and swimming suit) in exchange for improvement of contour and riddance of the excess skin etc. The appearance of the umbilicus is also important since it is the only scar that will be visible when you are in a swimming suit...
Given your body type, the position of the C-section scar (low) and current position of umbilicus, it is possible that a short vertical scar will also be necessary. This scar will be the remnant of the current site of the umbilicus when it is brought down inferiorly.
I would suggest in-person consultation with well experienced board certified plastic surgeons. Make sure you see lots of examples of his/her work.
Best wishes.
