Mini Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Mini or Full Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy?

Hi I am 5'2" and 110 lbs. I have loose skin and my abs are separated from 2 pregnancies. I was wondering if I would need a full or a mini tummy tuck?

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abs skin loose female 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in after pregnancy 110-129 lbs

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by mommy818 in 98233

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Mini tummy tuck after children. Options?

Thank you for the photo. I would have to examine you first to give an appropriate recommendation. You also say that your muscles have splayed apart. This would push me toward recommending a full tummy tuck with plication of the muscle for you. The mini tummy tuck is good for extra skin under the belly button. For skin above the belly button, belly button issues, separated muscles, excess skin above the belly button, a full tummy tuck is usually better. Please seek out a... more

Mini VS Full Abdominoplasty After Pregnancy

Pregnancy can result in dramatic changes in a woman’s body. These changes are especially noticeable in the abdomen, where redundant saggy skin, weakened muscles, and stretch marks may occur. Your pictures suggest that you might benefit from a full abdominoplasty, but without a physical examination by an experienced plastic surgeon, there is no way to know for sure. If your excess skin is located below the level of the umbilicus and your muscle weakness is also at this level, you might be... more

Mini or Full Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy

After pregnancy many patients are understandably concerned with redundancy of skin and stretching of muscles. The first step in considering abdominal procedure is to see a board certified Plastic Surgeon to determine exactly what type of procedure is indicated. Sometimes a full abdominoplasty is needed whereas a mini-tummy tuck might suffice. After the abdomen has settled down from pregnancy liposuction may be all that is needed. The best approach is to begin exercise and... more

Mini or full tummy tuck

Women seek tummy tuck surgery after pregnancy because pregnancies can stretch the abdominal skin and muscles. While most of this stretching usually occurs below the belly button, the skin and muscles above the belly button are also stretched. Mini tummy tucks only treat loose skin and muscles below the belly button. For this reason, mini tummy tucks have limited usefulness. You need to be examined in person by a board certified plastic surgeon, but based on your photos, you appear... more

Mini vs Full Tummy Tuck

In order to determaine which procedure will give you the best results I would recommend you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in the tummy tuck procedure. Best of luck to you.

Full tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck...

To determine whether you need a full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck, you really need to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon. If you do not have a lot of loose skin then you might only need a mini tummy tuck. Mini tummy tuck is performed on patients who require only minimal skin and fat removal below the belly button. The procedure requires a shorter abdominal incision and the belly button does not need to be repositioned. Meanwhile a full tummy tuck... more

Tummy Tuck

Only upon consultation and evaluation would I be able to answer your questions. Consult with an experience board certified plastic surgeon in your area. Upon examination, your surgeon will be able to recommend the procedures which would best address your specific concerns. Best wishes!

Mini or full tummy tuck

Thanks for the picture but it is hard to tell from that one view what you would need. A full tummy tuck will remove skin from the umbilicus down to the pubis and tighten the muscles above and below the umbilicus.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Mini or full tummy tuck?

The simple answer is that you need to have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which technique is right for you. For most women, a full tummy tuck is a better option. Although there may be longer scars, you are able to address loose skin of the upper and lower abdomen and the belly button tends to stay in a more normal anatomic location than with a mini tummy tuck which may lower it. Even for your picture, which shows minimal excess skin, I... more

Choosing the best tummy tuck approach

An experienced and talented surgeon will carefully assess a patient's anatomy to determine an ideal surgical approach for a beautiful and lasting result. There are many forms of tummy tucks, not just a mini and full, in fact there is a whole continuum. In our practice I fin it imperative that I determine which part of abdominal anatomy needs correction, whether it is fatty layer only, muscle layer, the extent of muscle layer correction required, skin quality and quantity,... more

Mini vs. full tummy tuck

In order to achieve a better result, I would recommend getting a standard full tummy tuck. A standard tummy tuck will involve repairing the rectus muscles that have been stretched during pregnancy and removing the loose skin and extra tissue. You will benefit from this procedure compared to a mini that involves only removing skin and tissue below the belly button area.

Mini tummy tuck vs maxi results

The appearance of your profile suggests that you have weakness between the rectus (6pack) muscles, which extends above the belly button. A mini tummy tuck involves tightening the muscle weakness up to the belly button as well as removing excess skin. The major tummy tuck will do that, as well as reshape your belly button and tighten the muscles up to the rib cage. The trade-off is a slightly longer scar. I've seen a number of women who had mini-tummy tucks, elsewhere, in their 30's and... more

Lavinia Chong, MD

22 reviews

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

Mini or full tummy tuck after pregnancy

In your case, I would seriously recommend a full abdominoplasty. I modified your photograph to illustrate the following points but cannot figure out how to upload it as part of my answer. Essentially, you have a good result now. But, it is clear that you have laxity (Medicalese for poofiness - poochiness etc) BOTH above and below your belly button. Normally the toned tummy has an "in" curve above the belly button and an out below. A MINI TT will NOT tighten the muscles above... more

Mini tummy tuck should be more than adequate.

It appears, from this view, that you are in excellent shape. Many patients would be quite pleased to have the outcome your currently have. However, it is difficult to ascertain from this limited exam. You might do well with liposuction alone. It is my opinion that you could achieve an excellent response with a mini tummy tuck. see video