How to choose between full and mini 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... more

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! 

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... more

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... more

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.

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.

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. http://www.cosmeticsurgeryspecialists... more

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... more

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... more

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... more