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Full Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck for Flat Belly?

asked 2 years ago by laleiggt6 in lawrence, MA
Latest answer by Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD
Question viewed 8,338 times
Tags: abdomen, belly, flat

I want to make sure I get great results. I want a beautiful flat belly. I want to be able to wear my sexy two piece bikinis again. Which between full tummy tuck and mini tummy tuck should I get done? I am 5'3 and I weigh 113 lbs.

23 answers to Full Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck for Flat Belly?

+1

Full tummy tuck vs mini tummy tuck

It appears from your photo that you have loose skin above and below the umbilicus. There also appears to be a wide separation of the muscles and a bulge of the fascia. In order to remove the excess skin and tighten the fascia, a full tummy tuck is in your future if you are after your best result. You are not a candidate for the hybrid tummy tuck (R) since you have too much loose skin to remove. So the question now is which full tummy tuck to choose. There are several types of full tummy... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+3

Full tummy tuck

Based solely on your photograph, it looks like you would probably benefit the most from a full tummy tuck.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Mini vs. Full Tummy Tuck

It is impossible to give recommendations without a formal physical assessment/exam of your belly.  Having said that, I would like recommend a full tummy tuck especially to correct the post-pregnancy changes.  After multiple pregnancies, l'd likely recommend a full abdominplasty with liposuction of the waist. A tummy tuck (also called abdominoplasty) is a very popular cosmetic surgery procedure. A tummy tuck can be an effective tool for shaping and sculpting the body for... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Mini vs. full abdoominoplasty

In looking at your photos I would tend to believe a full tummy tuck would be the better procedure for your shape. It is always difficult to judge the looseness of skin and laxity of the muscle support for the abdomen without examining you..Laxity above the umbilicus as well as below would best be improved with imbrication of the muscles in a complete fashion. Advancement of the skin inferiorly would firm up the abdomen that a mini tummy tuck could not offer... more
Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.riegercosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Deciding between a full and a mini tummy tuck

The simple answer is that you need to have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which technique is right for you. For most women, a full tummy tuck is a better option. Although there may be longer scars, you are able to address loose skin of the upper and lower abdomen and the belly button tends to stay in a more normal anatomic location than with a mini tummy tuck which may lower it.   From your picture, I would agree that a full tummy tuck will... more
Jason Brett Lichten, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Great Results

Realistic expectations is one of the key elements of a happy patient. A "Bikini Tummy Tuck" will optimize your results recreating your pre-baby tummy contour, and one of  the best belly buttons money can buy. Damaged skin (stretch marks) above the belly button will improve to some degree , but will still remain. 
Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full tummy tuck will give the best result.

Thank you for your photos.  They clearly show your optimal result would come from a full abdominoplasty.  This would allow removal of the skin and fat from just above your belly button down to the top of your pubic hair.  The muscles could be tightened so the "foundation" of your abdomen is flat and then the remaining skin above your belly button would be pulled downwards, smoothing and tightening it and your mons would be pulled upward for a total rejuvenation... more
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ideal choice for the tummy tuck

It is imperative that your surgeon thoroughly discuss with you pro's and con's of each option.  Tummy tuck surgery has many different variants, and it is important that the surgeon study your individual anatomy and design the ideal procedure for you.  It takes significant experience and talent to be able to do that. In your particular case you would be and ideal candidate for a full tummy tuck, especially in view of  your stated desire for a maximum result... more
Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Good candidate for Full (Standard) Tummy Tuck

Based on the pictures you provided, you are an ideal candidate for a full (standard) tummy tuck procedure. Make sure you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your best possible options. However, there is a big difference between a mini vs full tummy tuck. The benefits of a full tummy tuck is it involves removal of excess loose and stretched skin and muscle repair of the rectus muscles stretched from pregnancy. Most of your stretch marks may be removed or can be... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full Abdominoplasty will fix your problem

You need a full abdominoplasty with umbilical transposition, that will fix all of your problems. The most visible scar (the only visible, is you wear a two pieces suit) is the umbilical scar. When choosing your surgeon be sure you talk about this, it will be good if you see some pictures of the final belly button result. You have the potential to obtain an excellent result, the most important factor to obtain it, is your plastic surgeon choice. Being board certified by the American Board... more
Victor Manuel Perez, MD

Kansas City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck (mini vs Full).

You are an excellent candidate from your weight standpoint. I believe you would get the superior result with a full tummy tuck. My primary concern is your expectations. Your belly will be flat, loose skin eliminated, muscle repaired, and midsection contoured. However, you will continue to have stretch marks both above and below your new umbilicus. IF this concerns you then you should not undergo the procecxdure. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

I would recommend a full tummy tuck

Full tummy tuck will remove the excess skin from the level of your belly botton all the way down to the pubic area. It will also provide you with tightening of the abdominal muscles. A mini-abdominoplasty is not going to achieve the resection and tightening that you desire. Make sure you understand both procedures and the "scars". The full abdominoplasty is going to leave a small circular scar around the belly botton and a long one accross the lower abdomen. You can provide... more
Reza Nabavian, MD

Santa Monica Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck for flat belly?

Everybody agrees! Rather than go into what everybody has explained, check out the link below for a couple of diagrams about how much skin is excised with each procedure, etc. The other suggestion I have for you is to do with IV sedation and use a pain pump afterwards. You will be a lot more comfortable, with less nausea and less need for pain medications.
Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full vs mini tummy tuck

The difference between the two procedures is whether you need your whole abdomen reshaped or just the portion below your belly button. From you picture you will benefit from a full tummy tuck and not a mini. This will address the excess skin, fatty tissue as well as tighten the abdominal muscles that get stretched with pregnancy and/or weight gain. This will give you the flattest abdominal shape. Also make sure you understand that there will be scarring involved including around the belly... more
Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck for flat belly?

Hello, Thanks for including your picture. It helps with our response. You know the answer - you just may not like the cost difference and recovery time between the two operations. There is no comparison between the results obtained from the two procedures. Base on what I see and what I assume you want as your final outcome, you will need a full tummy tuck - abdominoplasty. Patients can be enticed to a lesser procedure or even assure the doctor that they are OK with just some improvement... more
Michael Kulick, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full or mini tummy tuck or flat belly

Abdominoplasty, NOT mini-abdominoplasty. Doing an abdominoplasty: will correct your muscle laxity and poochiness, would remove much of the stretch mark damaged skin, would totally flatten the stomach and narrow your waist, would lift a sagging Mons pubis and would give you a much more attractive belly button. Hope this was helpful.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full tummy tucks make a better abdomen than mini tummy tucks

From your photo you have muscle laxity well above the belly button. This requires a full tummy tuck to treat. Also in a full TT all of the skin from your belly button down will be removed and many more of your stretch marks will be excised. Your only limiting factor from getting a perfect result is all the stretch marks above your belly button. At least these will be tighter looking when they are pulled flat.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

There is no question here ---

You need a full tummy tuck. You have what I call = the prune belly from haveing children with a wide diastasis recti. With the muscles put back together and the extra skin removed you should look great. You will have a scar around your belly button and lower down, but that one can be hidden in your bathing suit. Look at my web site for some photos of tummy tucks like you.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full tummy tuck

 I agree with my fellow plastic surgeons and recommend full tummy tuck. You also have an umbilical hernia which can be fixed at the same time.
Kamran Khoobehi, MD

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+1

Consider abdominoplasty

From the photo and without exam, I would agree with the full abdominoplasty consideration. This will remove the largest amount of excess skin and tighten the abdominal muscles. The only continued issue may be the stretch marks you presently have above the unbilicus as these will not be removed. Discuss this with your surgeon. Hope this helps!
Michael A. Marschall, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Go with thefull tummy tuck

With your situation of excess skin, stretch marks, loose muscler layer(fascia) and a distorted belly button the best results would be achieved with a full tummy tuck.
John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full tummy tuck for best results - depending

First the usual disclaimer: without personally examining you, no one can give a definitive opinion. However, from the picture it appears that your skin has been stretched out, like we see after pregnancy. Most often there is some separation of the muscles underneath in this circumstance. So go for the full abdominoplasty, and make sure that your plastic surgeon has a clear understanding of your expectations.
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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