Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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How Can I Tell if I Need a Mini or Full Tummy Tuck?

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20 Doctor Answers | Asked by juliana5 in LosAngeles, California

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Full tummy tuck

If there is enough skin to pinch between the belly button and the pubic area, or if there is a lot of loose skin above the belly button, a full tummy tuck will give the best results. More limited tummy tucks are available for suitable patients. If very little skin looseness is present, but there is a bulge present (as in this picture), a hybrid tummy tuck can tighten the complete fascia above and below the belly button, and remove a small amount of skin through a short C-section type... more

Mini or Full Tummy Tuck

Based on your photo, you probably have muscle separation above the belly button, not just below. You also appear to have a fair amount of loose skin. If I were to make the recommendation on the photo alone, I would say you need a full tummy tuck since you need correction above the unbilicus as well as below. Of course the definitive recommendation should be made when you have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Full Tummy Tuck

Juliana, Looking at your frontal view, I would definitely recommend a full tummy tuck. The full tummy tuck scar is a little longer, but it removes a lot more skin. Most patients are very happy with the full tummy tuck because it meets their expectation as to the amount of skin and stretch-mark removal and tightening of the muscle layer. I think most patients who are disappointed with the mini-tummy tuck are so because they really wanted a small scar (and maybe a smaller price) but were... more

Likely a full Tummy Tuck

If you have a lot of loose skin, they you will need a full tummy tuck. From the picture you have shown if appears that a full tummy tuck would benefit you the most. It will remove the excess skin and fatty tissue as well as contour the shape of your abdomen by tightening the covering of your abdominal muscles. The best way to know, however, is to have a full evaluation and examination by a board certified plastic surgeon.

You would benefit from a full tummy tuck

The decision of weather to have a mini tuck or a full tuck (Abdominoplasty) is best made in consultation with your plastic surgeon. At that time he or she can best evaluate your particular needs and desire and advise you in a first hand informed manner. However, judging from the photo displayed, I feel the patient would best be served and most satisfied with a full tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty).

Full Tummy Tuck is part of the answer

You have several things that need to be addressed to give you a natural, toned looking midsection. A full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) will address tightening the muscles and also removing the excess skin which will get rid of the stretch marks and 'dimpling' often seen where there is a pocket of exercise and diet resistant fat. I nearly always include liposuction with my abdominoplasty cases not only to get rid of the pocket of fat like you're experiencing, but to also sculpt the surrounding... more

Mini tummy tuck v standard tummy tuck for you

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. As no two patients are alike, no two tummy tucks should be the same. In our practice, we carefully evaluate every patient and assess the quality of their muscle, their fat, and their skin. With this information we can then customize the surgery that will best meet their personal aesthetic goals. In your muscles and skin are good quality but you only have a small amount of extra fat, liposuction alone may be all that... more

Full tummy tuck with muscle repair is the only choice

From the one photo I would recommend a Full Tummy Tuck with muscle repair as the best and only choice. You would be very unhappy with a mini tummy tuck. See 3 boarded plastic surgeons to have a good idea of the need for a FULL Tummy Tuck. Regards

MINI VS FULL Tummy Tuck - Best result with the Full Tummy Tuck

You seem to have skin excess the extends to around and above the belly button. In addition, I suspect your muscle separation extends above the belly button as well. For these reasons, you would obtain a MUCH nicer result with a formal / FULL Tummy Tuck. Dr. P. Aldea

Deciding between a Mini Tummy Tuck or a Full Tummy Tuck

This question is best addressed in a consultation with your surgeon, since it involves a discussion about what specifically you are experiencing, your skin elasticity, and what your goals are. In general, a Tummy Tuck is best suited for patients who have skin and muscle laxity above and below the belly button. A small number of patients are strong candidates for a Mini Tummy Tuck, which addresses loose skin only below the belly button. Patients who would benefit from the Mini Tummy Tuck are... more

Mini tummy tuck will not remove loose skin around belly button

Your upper abdomen looks quite good. A mini tummy tuck will remove most of the skin on the lower abdomen. I cannot tell without examining you, but if you want the area around your belly button and the upper abdomen to be tighter then a full abdominolasty will be necessary. The only difference will be a scar aropund your belly button and a wider scar in the lower abdomen-pubic area. If you do not want scars around your belly button, then a mini tummy tuck combined with SlimLipo is another... more

Mini vs. full tummy tuck

Based on your photo, I believe you would benefit from a standard (full) tummy tuck. Not many woman are great candidates for a mini. A mini tummy tuck involves work done below the belly button region. In order to improve the look of your abdominal region, a full tummy tuck would involve repairing the rectus muscles that have been stretched from pregnancy, removal of the loose skin and stretch marks, and a new belly button. You will not be fully satisfied with just a mini tummy tuck.... more

Based on your pictures, a full tummy tuck is best

A full tummy tuck (standard abdominoplasty) is perfect for you. You have round contours above the belly button that show you have skin laxity in this region. In your lower abdomen, you have visible redundancy with several horizontal skin creases, as well as stretch marks. You have a generalized bulge across the lower abdomen. You are perfect for a full tummy tuck! The full tuck will remove the excess skin and stretch marks tighten the skin across your upper and lower abdomen tighten... more

Mini vs. full tummy tuck

You appear to be a better candidate for a full tummy tuck. We do both procedures but determine after a full consultation which is the best procedure for a particular patient. The full tummy tuck removes more skin and addressses the entire anterior abdomen. The mini treats only the lower abdomen.

I would likely recommend a full tummy tuck

Hello, With your laxity being both above and below the belly button, a full tummy tuck will be more likely to give you good results. A "mini" tummy tuck will probably leave you disappointed.

Probably full tummy tuck

It would be nice to see other photographic views, but just from the frontal it looks like you need midline tightening above and below the abdomen as well as undermining of the soft tissue to the ribcage. It appears that you have excess tissue in the lower abdomen that would be better treated with a full abdominoplasty incision.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Full abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck would yield the best results, as it will tighten not only the underlying muscles but also allow redraping of the skin from the level of your ribcage down to the incision used for the tummy tuck. Liposuction would be helpful as well for you to smoothe out the contour. A mini tummy tuck mainly addresses extra skin below the belly button and would give limited results. Good luck!

I vote for full tummy tuck!

A full tummy tuck with liposuction & muscle tightening will likely produce and optimal result in this view. This will: Eliminate the loose skin above and below the belly button Eliminate fatty deposits in the hip/flanks and lessen the "dog-ears" Pull the muscles together to create a flatter more toned appearing abdomen

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

You need a full Tummy Tuck

You need a full Tummy Tuck. You have extra skin above belly button. You also have stretch marks below and above the belly button. You will get better result with combined Liposuction and Abdominoplasty.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Full tummy tuck

It looks like you have enough excess skin to need a full tummy tuck.The mini tummy tuck is a very limited operation that only works in very selected cases. Good luck!