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How to Determine Which Kind of Tummy Tuck is Appropriate?

I have a 3-year-old and 4-year-old. I know I need some sort of tummy tuck, but I heard there are two different kinds. Please tell me what I could do and if the stretch marks would still be visible after a tummy tuck.

Asked 27 months ago by justamommy in Kansas

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abdomen stretch marks female after pregnancy

Tummy tuck types - full vs mini vs hybrid

As several of my esteemed colleagues have pointed out, you would be best suited to a full abdominoplasty. There is a great deal of extra skin, fat, and undoubtedly fascia to be addressed. Typically we consider tummy tucks to fall into categories, full tummy tucks and mini tucks. There is now a third category of tummy tucks, the Hybrid tummy tuck (R) and endoscopic tummy tuck category. Here are the three categories: Full tummy tuck. When a large amount of skin and fat are best removed, a... more

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Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy tuck, mini vs full

You appear to be a great candidate for the traditional tummy tuck. That involves a lower abdominal incision from hip to hip, tightening the underlying muscle layer, removing the excess skin and possibly some liposuctioning. There are varieties of the basic procedure but generally this is the traditional full tummy tuck. The mini makes a smaller incision and therefore does not remove as much skin. The muscles are tightened in a different fashion and the liposuctioing can be more aggressive.... more

John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Which tummy tuck?

There are different ways to do a tummy tuck and you have been given a lot explanations of how they are performed. I would like to give my opinion that you are the perfect candidate for the full classic tummy tuck; any thing else would be less than a complete correction. You will need all of the tissue layer addressed to get a nice result. All of the stretch marks will not go away because some of them go above your belly button and you can not remove all of this skin. Chances are, most of... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD

Saint George Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Appropriate Tummy Tuck

Different procedures to deal with excess tummy skin and fat have different benefits and risks. It certainly appears from your photo that you would get a nice result from a full TT which would include a muscle repair (this would improve the laxity in your central abdomen). You should obtain a consultation with a Board-certified Plastic Surgeon, with whom you can discuss these various procedures.

John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Choosing between tummy tuck types

As Dr. Aldea elegantly described, there are 2 fundamental types of tummy tucks - mini and full. The mini's are rare and are usually done by non-plastic surgeons whose lack of proper training and experience make them uncomfortable doing a full tummy tuck. They try to tempt the patient into this by telling them that they don't "need" a full tummy tuck even if they actually do. The mini only addresses the abdomen BELOW the belly button and if you have any issues above the belly... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Determining which Tummy Tuck is appropriate

There are MORE than 2 types of Abdominoplasties (Tummy Tucks) but the choice is simply split to either a "Mini" or a "Full" abdominoplasty. They are NOT the same!! First let's go over what happens during a pregnancy. As your uterus enlarges rapidly it begins to occupy increasing parts of the abdominal cavity pushing up against the diaphragm and front wall of the tummy. The front wall of the tummy (shown on your photo) has a built in safety valve - the 2 six pack (Rectus... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy tuck for stretch marks

I would recommend a full tummy tuck. This will allow you to remove a good portion of your stretch marks. It appears that you also have a laxity of skin that you may be able to remove the belly button hole without leaving small vertical incision below the belly button (i.e. removing enough tissue to get rid of your old belly button hole). The full tummy tuck will also allow you to tighten abdominal muscles to give you a flatter abdomen. In addition, you should consider... more

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Thank you for the question and picture. The only operation that will give you the results you're probably looking for is a full tummy tuck procedure. In my opinion, 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... more

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Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Determining the type of tummy tuck needed

All tummy tucks have variations. From reviewing the photos, I would recommend a standard tummy tuck with liposuction and repair of the weaken abdominal muscles. There will be variations on what type of incision is used and where and how much liposuction would be performed. Your plastic surgeon would be able to guide you into making the correct decisions. It would not hurt to get more than 1 opinion. Good luck.

Todd B. Koch, MD

Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy Tuck Options?

Hi MomInKansas, Yes, there are a few variations in tummy tucks. What determines what you would need to have done is how much extra skin you have. From looking at your picture, it appears to me that you would need a Full tummy tuck, sometimes called a Standard Tummy tuck. This involves a scar along your bikini line, long enough to remove all of the excess skin.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

A standard tummy tuck will work for you

Judging from the single photo, I would say that you're a candidate for what I consider a standard tummy tuck.You have some excess fat that will need to be removed with liposuction. I can't judge from the photo how loose your skin is. Ideally, most plastic surgeons will try to remove the excess skin from the bellybutton down to the pubis, provided this does not put undue tension on the repair or compromise the blood supply. I explain to patients that if there is too much tension, I... more

Joseph M. Perlman, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

What kind of tummy tuck do I need?

Tummy tuck is a procedure that removes stretched out skin and extra fat of the belly wall, and tightens the muscles that can separate with pregnancy. I am not sure what you mean by two different kinds of tummy tucks, but I am guessing that you mean mini or full. A mini tummy tuck only fixes the muscle and skin below the belly button. A full tummy tuck corrects from your breast bone down to your pelvis. Judging from your photo, you are stretched out above and below the belly button so a... more

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Elizabeth Lee, MD

Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy Tuck Treatment Option

I concur with my colleagues that you will likely benefit from a full tummy tuck. This will remove all the excess skin, stretch marks, and excess skin/fat from the level of your belly button down to your waist. Furthermore, a tummy tuck will also tighten your six-pack muscles (rectus abdominis) to correct for the likely bulging you have on your abdominal wall. You also may benefit for adjunctive liposuctioning of your waist to eliminate any love-handles.

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C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Types of tummy tucks

Liposuction alone will remove bulk, but you appear to have excess skin as well. A full incision abdominoplasty will give you the most improvement. While there are smaller procedures, I think that the result in your case will not give what you are looking for. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon....and remember, the most important part of getting a good result from plastic surgery is the surgeon that you choose. This is one area in life, where it pays to pay retail. You appear to be a good more

Darrick E. Antell, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Abdominoplasty FAQ

Abdominoplasty procedures are safe and effective methods to improve anterior abdominal contour. In this particular case, it would be appropriate to proceed with full abdominoplasty, plication of the rectus fascia, and removal of excess skin.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Types of abdominplasty

Your anatomy and what you desire as your goal will deterine what needs to be done. Each option has risks and benefits. You have to prioritize what you want, what you willing to live with, and what risks you can accept. The only way to remove stretch marks is to excise the skin containing the stretch marks. If you have fat that you want thinned, liposuction will be helpful. if you want maximum tightening of the skin, that will require a certain type, usually a ful tuck. If you want the least... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Most likely you will need a full tummy tuck

SEE VIDEO FOR SAMPLE RESULTS: From the photos provided it is my impression that you will recieve the best result using a full abdominoplasty with muscle tightening and suction assisted lipectomy of the hips. see video