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Full or Mini?

asked 1 year ago by kaitlyn123
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 533 times
Tags: stretch marks, c-section

Hi there, after 1 c-section, I am left with a deflated abdomen and as can be seen in the photographs, red stretch marks from my belly button down. I have a consultation on May 6, but I am seeking other opinions as to whether or not a mini or full tummy tuck would be most beneficial to the appearance of my stomach. Thanks so much.

26 answers to Full or Mini?

+2

Full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck

You would be optimally suited by neither the full tummy tuck nor the mini tummy tuck. The full fummy tuck will give you a long high incision. The mini tuck will treat the lower abdomen but still allow a bulge in the upper abdomen. You would be best suited by a hybrid tyummy tuck involving full tightening of the fascia with a very low incision.  Only then will you get a tight fascia the entire length of your incision while avoiding a long high scar.  This procedure... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+1

Full vs. mini-tummy tuck?

Mini-tummy tuck, as is performed by most plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, involves removing excess skin of the lower abdomen and maybe some tightening of the lower abdominal muscles. this is usually reserved for those women who have very little excess skin and very limited stretch marks. Most women with multiple pregnancies and stretch marks that extend to the mid-abdomen with weakness of the upper and lower abdomen, are better served by a full tummy tuck.
S. Sean Younai, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.beautifulself.com

+1

Mini vs. full tummy tuck

This is difficult to determine based on your photos alone.  An examination by a qualified plastic surgeon could easily determine the best procedure for you.  If you have enough loose skin, then a full tummy tuck almost always produces the better result.  The scar from a mini-tummy tuck is actually not that "mini" compared to a full tummy tuck.  It is not very common to find a patient who is a perfect candidate for a mini-tummy tuck. A mini-tummy tuck may... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

+2

Full tummy tuck is better

If you desire a complete rejuvenation of your abdomen, a full tummy tuck is your better option. From your picture, I would add liposuction to the waist. So a combination of tummy tuck and lip of the waist. This will rejuvenate your waist, tighten the muscles and correct the abdominal bulge. There are very limited indication for mini TT In general, women who had children will better served with a full tummy tuck.
Moneer Jaibaji, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

Full Tummy Tuck Or Mini?

Unfortunately it is difficult to determine the best choice for you based on one frontal photo and without a complete exam. Just as important, in my opinion,is to find out what your hopes and expectations are regarding your results. Please visit our website for more information and photos. Good Luck. see video
Douglas L. Gervais, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

Tummy Tuck - Full or Mini?

Impossible to say for sure without being able to examine you and interview you - too much just depends on what your skin is like, and what your expectations are. That being said, my guess is that a full TT with additional liposuction of your waist and love-handles will be most likely to give you the surgical result you'd be happiest with. It is, of course, a more extensive surgical procedure than a mini - but you will also have more dramatic results. And going around... more
Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and mini-tummy tuck in Naples, Florida

There are trade offs with each of these procedures.  The full tummy tuck has a larger scar, but accomplishes more in resecting more of the stretch-mark damaged skin of the lower abdomen.  The mini-tummy tuck removes only a small amount of skin while it does tighten the muscles that get stretched out during pregnancy like a full abdominoplasty does.  So, what you chose will depend on your goals which should be discussed during your consultation with a board certified plastic... more
Kent V. Hasen, MD

Naples Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck

The question of whether a full or mini abdominoplasty should be done depends on the quality and amount of excess skin. This is best determined at the time of your consultation with you bent forward and the surgeon determining the amount of skin that can be removed.
David L. Abramson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini versus full tumy tuck

The choice is yours , but it depends on your goals.  if you want to remove all the stretch marks from under your belly button then you must do a full tummy tuck.  if you want to lose the excess skin then you must do a full tummy yuck.  if you want to lose some fat and tighten the abdominal wall , then the mini is your answer, but your skin will still be loose  good luck
Jonathan Saunders, MD

Newark Plastic Surgeon

www.drjonathansaunders.com

+1

There are other options that you could consider.

Thanks for your question Kaitlyn. As some of the other surgeons have appropriately commented,it's tough to tell from just one photo and without knowing more of your history and future plans relative to childbearing. Having said that, most patients aren't great candidates for the classical "mini" abdominoplasty which often is a compromise solution insofar as it doesn't address laxity of the abdominal wall above the belly button or any loose skin above the belly button (... more
Paul Angelchik, MD

Glendale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini or Full Tummy Tuck???

You definitely do not need a full tummy tuck. A mini is an option for you. A mini will tighten only below the belly button. This will help with the stretch marks in this area, but will do nothing for the skin above the bellybutton which looks fine anyway. In correction of a prior statement, you definitely can have a Full tummy tuck after having a Mini tummy tuck. But, you can not have a Full tummy tuck safely after a Float tummy tuck.
Daniel P. Markmann, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

+1

You do not need any kind of abdominoplasty.

Hi. I don't understand other answers. Going by your picture, you will not benefit by a tummy tuck of any kind.  Most of the stretch marks (which bother you) cannot be removed because you have little excess redundant skin. As a generalization, very few women are good candidates for a mini tummy tuck.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full tummy tuck is usually best

Hi Kaitlyn, It is a little hard to tell from the photos which is best for you?  Is it the stretch marks that bother you the most?  Also, are you finished having children?  It really depends on how much skin laxity you have above the belly button.  If this is significant, you will be happiest with a full tummy tuck.  The majority of my patients have a full tummy tuck.  Sometimes, if there is not too much skin laxity above the belly button, I do an abdominal... more
Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full Tummy Tucks are generally more Rejuvenating

Kaitlyn, I generally perform very few Mini Tummy Tucks in women after their childbearing years. A full tummy tuck is often more rejuvenating and gives a more youthful appearance, for several reasons: With a full Tummy Tuck the entire abdominal wall is tightened from breastbone down to pubic bone. The loose skin of the lower abdomen is removed and the healthier upper abdominal skin is re-draped over the entire abdomen. The more limited Mini Tummy Tuck removes very little or no skin from... more
Behzad Parva, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1

How to decide between a mini and full abdominoplasty

A miniabdominoplasty generally removes a minimal of excess skin above the pubic hair line and some amount of muscle tightening.  The upper abdominal skin is usually untouched.  The belly button stays in the same position or might move lower.  A full abdominoplasty usually involves tightening of the entire abdominal muscle, liposuction of the hips, and tightening of the abdominal skin all the way to the ribs.  It is not always easy to form opinions from 1 photo,... more
Glen Brooks, MD

Springfield Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Thanks for the photo, but it is hard to determine what you would need without an examination. Although your upper abdomen looks fairly good in the photo, you probably still have upper fascial laxity. Imagine a partially inflated long balloon, if you squeeze the lower end you'll note that the upper end expands. This is what will happen with a mini tuck. Less than 2% of my patients qualify for a mini tummy tuck. Good luck and make sure all your questions are answered at the consultation. more
George Marosan, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full or mini tummy tuck, many considerations

It is difficult to determine with a single photo whether a mini or a full tummy tuck is the best choice. The skin elasticity and quality of the stretch marks, muscular laxity must be considered. Also we must consider your goals, concerns with potential scars and umbilical scar, medical history, and of course cost and recovery issues. Get your list of questions together before your visit, and your 'dream' result to be ready for your consultation. Its possible things could go... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

A mini tummy tuck with tightening of the fascia will help you

A small amount of skin removal with tightening of your abdominal muscle fascia will improve your shape as well as remove some of the stretch marks. 
Dev Wali, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full vs. Mini-Tummy-Tuck

It is good that you have a consultation appointment. The only way to get an answer to such a specific question is with a consultation. Your picture does not show the side view, which would be helpful. Based on the picture supplied, a full tummy tuck will do a better job removing the majority of the stretch marks, and if there is roundness above the belly button, this too can be addressed. A mini-tummy-tuck will not remove as much of the stretch mark bearing skin below the belly button,... more
Joseph Mele, MD

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
+1

Wait till you are done having kids.

If you are done having children then go for a consultation. I find that no matter how good you think you are, a full tummy tuck with muscle tightening gives the BEST result.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Abdominoplasty options

The answer you seek can only be achieved by an in-depth, in-person consultation with examination. Your procedure should be customized to your anatomy and desires, including not only what you want to achieve, but also what you want to avoid. You must decide on the priority of soft tissue contour (i.e. shape), soft tissue texture (i.e. degree of tautness), location/length/potential quality of scar(s), how much stretch marks both you, and risk of procedure/costs/recovery constraints. The... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full vs Mini Tummy Tuck

Your photo is helpful, but a physical examination is required to absolutely answer your question.  It appears as if you would be a good candidate for a full tummy tuck although again an exam is needed to be sure.  A full tummy tuck would allow a full muscle plication and would also get rid of most, if not all, of your stretch marks.  Hopefully your consultation is with a board-certified plastic surgeon with whom you can discuss the benefits and risks of each procedure. more
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full or mini?

I agree that a full andominoplasty will address the abdomen much more effectively than a mini. However, looking at your photo, it doesn't look like you have significant skin excess and I think that a mini may give the result you are after. As previous contributors have said, it depends on your expectations and one would really have to examine you to give a full opinion. Good luck. I'd be interested to hear how you get on.
Jonathan J Staiano, MBBS

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

Trade-Offs

There are trade-offs with both procedures-A full TT will have a greater recovery time and cost vs. a mini,and , the results are quite different.  A full TT addresses not only loose and lax skin but also the abdominal muscles that have have separated as a result of pregnany.  The mini gets rid of excess skin sole at a lesser degree.  I would consult with a board certified plastic surgeons who upon exaamining you can give you options with respective results vs. your expectation... more
Edward J. Bednar, MD

Charlotte Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini abdominoplasty is almost always a lousy operation.

Most patients seeking abdominoplasty are women who have born children.  The excess skin covers the entire abdomen and the fascia of the abdomen needing repair runs from sternum to pubis.  A "mini" tuck does not address the entire abdomen so mostly results in disappointment.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

What Are Your Expectations!

This is a very good question.  I have done many mini and full tummy tucks.  If you want to be tight and flat with yur anatomy, only a full tummy tuck will get the job done.  Patients think mini because it cost less and the recovery is less, but when they think results they think of thight and flat which is a tummy tuck.  Trust me ,be careful.  If you have a mini you can not have a full later because the base of the belly button is cut. Full is the best in this case. more
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

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