Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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How to Choose Between Full and Mini Tummy Tuck?

I know I want some form of tummy tuck and breast enhancement but I'm not sure if I need a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck. How would I know? I'm a 26 year old mother of three. I'm 5ft. and 115lbs.

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age 25-34 abdomen female 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in 110-129 lbs

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by babe020406 in Springfield, OR

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Full tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck vs. hybrid tummy tuck

There are no longer just two options in tummy tucks, the full and the mini tummy tuck. The full tummy tuck is best for patients who have a lot of looseness in their skin, especially if that looseness is above the belly button. There is no substitute for a full tummy tuck in the right patient with a lot of skin looseness. The results of full tummy tucks in the right patients are spectacular. The mini tummy tuck is best for patients who have only a skin problem (no fascial problem) just... more

Full tummy tuck vs mini tuck

About 95%of patients needing a tummy tuck need a real one not a mini. The problem with the mini is that it doesn't treat the upper abdomen at all so if you have any muscle or skin laxity above the umbilicus the mini will leave you under corrected. The mini incision isn't that much shorter and the recovery isn't that much less, so do the full in most instances.

A full tummy tuck is more effective than a mini in correcting loose skin and tightening the abdominal muscles.

I perform about 100 full abdominoplasties for every mini-abdominoplasty (although it happens that I am about to perform a mini-abdominoplasty today!). You have a small build and have had three children. Chances are a full tummy tuck would best treat your muscle weakness and get rid of the loose skin. With a mini, the amount of skin removed (just the skin above your pubic area) is much less and there is no tightening of the skin above the belly button. The... more

Full or mini-tummy tuck

First, let's explain what a full tummy tuck versus a mini is. In a full tummy tuck the skin is lifted up all the way to the ribcage where in a mini it is only to the belly button. In a full tummy tuck, since the surgeon now has access to the muscles, if the muscles are split apart, they can be tightened from ribcage all the way down whereas the mini will only allow for tightening from the belly button down. The other big factor is loose skin above the belly button. That skin can be... more

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Thank you for the question. Of course without pictures or dierct examination it is not possible due to good advice. Having said that 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... more

Need to consult doctor to tell

Generally a minituck is useful only for a small amount of excess skin limited to the lower abdomen. Generally most women that I see in my practice need a full tummy tuck whenever they come in to see me. However, only a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon can determine which would benefit you more. You can find one in your area throught the website for American Society of Plastic Surgeons. see video

How to choose...

Deciding which procedure would be best for you a decision you and your surgeon need to decide together. I would suggest going on several consultations and discussing your desired outcome with each surgeon. Mini tummy tuck candidates are women who only have a small amount of extra skin at the front of the belly. I have noticed it is more common for women to require a standard tummy tuck that leaves an incision from hip-to-hip to achieve their desired results.

Min-tummy tuck vs full tummy tuck

A mini-TT addresses primarily the lower abdomen, where a full TT address both the upper and lower abdomen; allowing for full tightening of the abdominal muscles. It is quite rare to see a patient who is a true candidate for a mini-TT because most patients will have enough laxity or looseness of their abdominal skin to qualify for a full TT. The difference in the length of the final incision isn't much shorter with a mini-TT. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will... more

After three pregnancies...

You most likely need a full abdominoplasty. There are variations on the full tummy tuck that may work for you and provide more than a mini. See your board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation and discussion on the options. Good luck!

Laxity of the muscle and loose skin above the umbilicus needs a full tummy tuck

The factors used by Plastic Surgeons to determine the need for a full or mini tummy tuck are related to muscle structure and skin laxity. The muscle can become very loose after pregnancies and weight loss. If the muscle is always loose and unable to tighten, it may be a good indicator that a full tummy tuck is necessary. If the skin is lax above or around the umbilicus/belly button, it is another indication of a full tummy tuck. If the skin of the lower abdomen just hangs and the rest... more

Choosing between full and mini tummy tuck

Dear Babe, "I'm a 26 year old mother of three. I'm 5ft. and 115lbs." In my professional opinion, there is NO physical way any human your size could have carried 3 healthy babies to term without having PERMANENTLY disrupted her anterior abdominal musculature. Once your rectus muscles have been displaced sideways -- no matter of exercise and quantity thereof can and would pull these muscles together. (Imagine if I borrowed your favorite blouse and wore it for a few weeks -- then... more

Full or mini tummy tuck

The main positive aspect of a mini is that the incision is shorter, that is all. The length of the incision will determine how much skin you can remove in an up and down direction. So if you have a fair amount of excess skin keeping the scar short will not allow you to remove as much skin and most patients will not be happy with the final result. The ideal candidate for a mini is someone with mild muscle separation with a very small amount of skin in the lower belly and not much fat. If... more

How to know if you need a full or mini tummy tuck.

In my expereince the easiest and quickest method of determining whether you need a full or a mini tummy tuck is to determine if you have loose skin above your belly button. If you do, you will most likely benefit from a full. There are many other facots such as muscle laxity but this is harder for you to evaluate. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Full or Mini Tummy Tuck

There are many factors that go into the decision whether a full or mini TT may be best for you. Only after a physical examination can a specific opinion be given. In general, though, most women of your size , that have had 3 pregnancies, would benefit from a full abdominoplasty.

Full or mini tummy tuck depends on the amount of skin

The difference between and mini tummy tuck and a full or standard tummy tuck depends on how much skin you have. Most patients after having children will need a full abdominoplasty. The mini does not address the upper abdomen. Sometimes I will do a combination which is a mini with upper abdominal liposculpture. Just depends on how much skin there is to remove. Talk to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who does many of these. Good Luck!