How Can I Tell if I Need a 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.

Based on your question about whether a mini or full tummy tuck is suitable for you, I recommend considering a full tummy tuck. The primary reason for this recommendation is that a mini tummy tuck often does not provide sufficient muscle plication, which is crucial for achieving the best possible contour and firmness in the abdominal area. Muscle plication is an essential aspect of the tummy tuck procedure that tightens and repairs the abdominal muscles, which may have become separated or weakened due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or aging.

A full tummy tuck not only allows for comprehensive muscle repair but also enables the removal of a greater amount of excess skin, leading to a smoother, flatter abdomen and a more defined waistline, contributing to an hourglass figure. Additionally, combining a full tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks can enhance your results by removing stubborn fat deposits, further refining your silhouette and providing optimal results.

The decision between a mini and full tummy tuck ultimately depends on your specific goals, the amount of excess skin, and the condition of your abdominal muscles. However, for most patients seeking significant improvement and a more dramatic transformation, a full tummy tuck offers the most comprehensive approach.

I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your unique situation and provide personalized advice tailored to achieve your aesthetic goals. Together, you can discuss the best approach to meet your needs and expectations.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katzen
Plastic Surgeon

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos you will achieve your body goal with a full tummy tuck combined with intense liposuction including abdomen, waist, laterals and upper and lower back to improve your body contour and get better curves, especially in your waist area.
Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

When it comes to a full tummy tuck, it’s all about abdominal wall deformities caused by loose skin, excess fat, and separated muscles. It fixes the area below and above the belly button.Generally speaking, a full tummy tuck is preferred for women who have had children, however this is not to say that a mini wouldn't work for you. Please see an experienced board certified plastic surgeon to confirm which treatment would be most suitable for you. Judging from your photo, however, you may benefit from a full since the area above and below the navel will be corrected. 

Hello! Thank you for your question and photos! I hope that these answers help!
Tummy tuck is an excellent method for shaping the belly and create a
flatter and sculpted abdomen after the procedure. Looking at your
photos, I do believe that you would be an excellent candidate for this
procedure in order to remove the excess skin/soft tissue of your lower
abdomen and contour the areas of your belly. Also, abdominal wall
tightening may optimize your result. Stretch marks to the level of your
umbilicus will also be excised. Also, a continued healthy and active
lifestyle prior to the procedure and afterwards is recommended in order to maintain the benefits that the
procedure has given to you. Once you are ready for the
procedure, I would likely recommend a full tummy tuck with abdominal
wall tightening and liposuction laterall for additional contouring. This would remove the excess skin/soft tissue
and stretch marks while contouring your belly. The mini tummy tuck has
limited usefulness and limited candidates as it truly only addresses
excess skin in a small area above your pubis. It will not address your
abdominal wall and the tightening of such, frequently needed to achieve a shapely abdominal wall. While the recovery
time
is shorter, the benefits afforded to you by a full tummy tuck are much
greater and will optimize your result. You should consult with a
board-certified plastic surgeon well-versed in body contouring
procedures at anytime to go over options to assist you in deciding
which procedure(s) would be right for you. Best wishes!

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 disappointed with the lack of tightness in the upper abdomen, lack of adequate removal of most of the stretch-marks and loose skin.
I recommend that you seek a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. They have formal training in abdominoplasty surgery and will probably give you the same advice.

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 procedure.
A typical mini tuck just tightens below the belly button. If performed here, it would likely give the "typical mini tuck look" with a flat lower abdomen and a bulging upper abdomen.

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!

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

The decision between a mini and full tummy tuck depends on your specific goals and the extent of correction needed. Here are some factors to consider:Mini Tummy Tuck: a. Ideal for those with localized excess skin or fat below the navelb. Addresses lower abdomen concernsc. Smaller incision and shorter recovery compared to a full tummy tuckFull Tummy Tuck:a. Suitable for individuals with excess skin and fat both above and below the navelb. Provides more comprehensive results and can correct muscle separation (diastasis recti) if neededc. Requires a longer incision and a potentially longer recoveryConsult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess your individual needs and help you determine which procedure is best for you based on your goals, physical condition, and anatomy. They will consider factors like skin laxity, muscle tone, and overall body shape to make a recommendation.