Mini Tummy Tuck Q&A
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Do I Need a Mini Tummy Tuck or a Liposuction?

asked 1 year ago by cindy83 in utah
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 984 times
Tags: age 25-34, stretch marks, female, comparison, post-pregnancy

Im 27 years old, 5'1, small built and my ideal weight is 105 lbs, after my 2nd baby my belly blew up and gotten stretch marks that i never had from my 1st pregnancy, im very unhappy with the way my body turned out, after a year and a half ive gained 20 lbs and i still look like im pregnant and i work out 2-3 days a week and still not losing weight, what should i do?

14 answers to Do I Need a Mini Tummy Tuck or a Liposuction?

+2

Mini does Mini in the Tummy Tuck World.

You need a full well done tummy tuck by an ABPS certified surgeon.   Remember....MINI DOES MINI.   You need a standard abdominoplasty........skin...muscle...umbilical transfer...some lipo....the works...  Do not waste you time and money with a timid almost useless procedure that will possibly leave you wrinkled and unhappy.   Patients seek tiny for big gain.  Doesnt usually work.  Get 3 opinions for ABPS surgeons and learn.  There is no rush.& more
George Commons, MD

Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck

Liposuction is rarely the best way to deal with stretch marks. They prevent the skin from retracting the way it did when there were no stretch marks. I would venture to say your options are between a full TT or a mini TT. If the muscle is separated above your BB, then you will need a full TT. Lipo will not address the muscle, and many women do not have a lot of fat with the bulge, it is just a loose muscle in need of repair. See a Board Certified Plastic... more
Vivek Bansal, MD

Danville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Thank you for the question. Based on your description I do not think you are a candidate for liposuction alone. You are probably not a candidate for mini tummy tuck surgery either. In my opinion, for example,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... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck or liposuction

The question concerning tummy tuck begins with an assessment of the laxity in the abdominal skin. Liposuction will contour the abdomen though sometimes at the price of further skin laxity. Based on your photos you have a lower abdominal fold which would best respond to a full tummy tuck, with liposuction over the hip. Your first step is weight control. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck options vs liposuction

While no one can offer a specific opinion based only on a photo, I would be very surprised if you were offrered a mini tummy tuck or liposuction alone from what I see. Lipo is an option when there is minimal to no skin laxity, even with laser. A mini works when there is skin laxity only in the lower part of the abdomen but not very much.
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck versus a full tummy tuck

Without providing a side view (and, of course, an examination) a full perspective cna't be obtained. However, it appears that at minimum you would require a full tummy tuck and not a mini-tuck. There is too much and diffuse lax skin which would not be addressed with the limited mini tummy tuck. Liposuction for the surrounding areas may also be beneficial.
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini-tummy tuck not the answer

If you do anything, consider a tummy tuck and liposuction, not a mini-tummy tuck and not liposuction alone. The results of the lesser procedures will be unlikely to give good results.
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Best approach to abdomen: tummy tuck vs liposuction

Based on your photo shown I would actually recommend a full tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks (love handles).  It appears that you have sufficient loose skin to perform a full tummy tuck which will give a better outcome than a mini-tummy tuck.  The difference in the length of the scars is not that significant between the two procedures.  A full tummy tuck will also allow for a more complete tightening of your abdominal muscles. Please consult with a board... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction can be a useful adjunct to a mini-tummy tuck

Thanks for your question and photo.  It appears as though you're an excellent candidate for either liposuction with a mini-tummy tuck or a standard tummy tuck.  However, it's hard to give you a more exact answer without actually examining you.  Liposuction with a mini-tummy tuck allows your plastic surgeon to remove fat from the abdomen and hips along with removal of some of the skin below your belly button with the mini-tummy tuck.  If you have looseness of... more
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction

Cindy, I see many patients with this same question. Mini tuck vs full Tummy tuck vs Liposuction. The real answer really depends on your goals. Your Plastic surgeon should listen to your concerns, give you the correct information so that you can make an informed decision. Based on your photo, it appears that you have excess skin, stretch marks, and loose abdominal muscles. My opinion is that you will benefits from a full tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck will address the above issues. A mini... more
Stanley Okoro, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

www.georgiaplastic.com

+1

Full tummy tuck

Fromyour photos you look like a good candidatae for a full tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck wil not treat all your problem areas as well.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

PHOTOS: The right tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) for you

From your photos, it is my opinion that you would best benefit froma full tummy tuck and perhaps even an extended tummy tuck . Do not spend money on a less invasive procedure because you will not likely be satsified. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do I need liposuction or a mini-tummy tuck?

Based on your photo Cindy, I would say that neither of these procedures are appropriate in your case. You have too much abdominal laxity for a mini tuck and liposuction alone would only make matters worse. You also have laxity to your abdominal musculature and would require a generous plication (tightening) of the entire rectus sheath. This is best accomplished with a full abdominoplasty and liposuctioning of the your lateral and posterior hips with the end result being a much better... more
William F. DeLuca Jr, MD

Albany Plastic Surgeon

www.delucaplasticsurgery.com

+1

Mini Tuck vs Liposuction

Probably the first thing you will hear from most surgeons is to make sure that your weight is stable before doing anything. What procedure you choose should be based on your desired outcome.  If you don't like the looseness of the stretch marked skin and you only have liposuction, you will likely be disappointed with the results.  Also liposuction does nothing to improve muscle looseness after pregnancy. A "mini tummy tuck" usually does nothing to improve... more
Byron D. Poindexter, MD

Reston Plastic Surgeon

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