Mini Tummy Tuck - How to Discuss Revisions with Your Doctor

I recently had a mini tummy tuck w/ lower muscle tightening. I think that perhaps I chose the wrong procedure and would have benifited from having a full tummy tuck w/o upper abdominal repair as no repair was needed, but I have a great deal of excess skin above my belly button still after the procedure. I was not told that it was an option. I really like my plastic surgeon and am not sure how to approach it with her. How do I go about discussing this with my doctor?

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by followurdreams21 in sunnyvale, ca

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Mini Tummy Tuck

Approach it honestly and express your desire to have the correction above the BB and why this was clear in the preoperative visit.

Not happy with mini tummy tuck result

Thank you for the question. I was just a calm and honest conversation with your plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns. Most successful plastic surgeons work very hard to keep their patients happy; your plastic surgeon will likely do the same. Again, the key is calm and non-accusatory conversation. Best wishes.

Mini tummy tuck usually yields a mini result

Most plastic surgeons that recognize the limitations of a mini tummy tuck would have pointed out to you that the procedure is not a good option. Skin laxity above the belly button is not treated with this procedure. A full tummy tuck is the right procedure for about 95% of women out there. Like a lot of things in plastic surgery- a mini operation generally yields a 'mini' result that is disappointing.

Discussing tummy tuck revisions with your Dr.

A mini tummy tuck is a safe and effective procedure that can create a more contoured abdomen, a tight waist and a beautiful figure. In our Miami practice, we have treated many patients who received tummy tucks elsewhere and were interested in revision. For these patients, we emphasize the improve the contour that is possible with liposuction and liposculpture and the placement of the final incision. Here in Miami, our patients appreciate a very low incision in the pubic area so that... more

Full tumm y tuck

You should discuss this with your surgeon, I am not a big fan of a mini tummy tuck for the complaint you described.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Honesty is the best policy

Your surgeon will not be upset if you are honest and explain your concerns. Talk to him/her about your concerns and develop a care/treatment plan to achieve your goals. If you are not satisfied with this dialogue, it does not hurt to seek a 2nd opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck.

Buyer's remorse with cosmetic surgery: regretting surgery choice and options

Be honest with your surgeon and offer to pay for the operating room, anesthesia and additional cost differences and perhaps you could work something out to both your satisfaction.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Disappointing Result with a Mini Tummy Tuck - " I chose the wrong procedure and would have benifited from having a full tummy t"

Regarding: "Mini Tummy Tuck - How to Discuss Revisions with Your Doctor I recently had a mini tummy tuck w/ lower muscle tightening. I think that perhaps I chose the wrong procedure and would have benifited from having a full tummy tuck w/o upper abdominal repair as no repair was needed, but I have a great deal of excess skin above my belly button still after the procedure. I was not told that it was an option. I really like my plastic surgeon and am not sure how to approach it... more

Be honest with your surgeon

It is important to be honest and express concerns with your surgeon- she is in the best position to look at the area with you and develop a plan to achieve your goals. Remember, you are the customer!

Revision Of Tummy Tuck Discussion Should Focus On How To Get A Better Result

The best way to discuss with your plastic surgeon your concerns or unhappiness with a tummy tuck result is to be up front about what you don't like about it. Patients having concerns about their results are not rare experiences for plastic surgeons. It is a regular and recurring experience for us, not everything turns out perfect all the time. I am certain your plastic surgeon does not want you to walk away and be unhappy with your result. That does you nor her any good. Based... more

Mini-tummy tuck versus full tummy tuck choice

I have found that a mini-tuck will only help very few, specific situations. If there is any looseness just above the belly button, or around it, then a mini-tuck will simply not do the job. Just be frank with your surgeon, ask about the looseness in a non-threatening way. Ask about a full tummy tuck. Unless the belly button was detached (floated) from the abdominal wall during your mini-tuck, nothing prevents you from having a good result with a full tummy tuck now. You can ask about a... more

Possible revision for mini-tummy tuck

If you like your surgeon, then I suggest addressing your concerns in the same way you did to this forum. Most surgeons are very open to hearing their patients' concerns following surgery and are willing to help. Just ask about the extra skin you still see above your belly-button, and you can also ask why a full tummy tuck wasn't an option. Sometimes there is simply not enough extra skin there to perform the full tuck, so it's possible this was the issue in... more