Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Should I Have a Full TT or a Mini? (photo)

I am 5'4 and weight 151 lbs. I gained over 100lbs with each pregnancy (I have two children 4 and 15 months). I have very stretched marked saggy skin above and below my belly button. My muscles are good with only about a 1" separation at the top and none at the bottom. I was wondering if based on my pictures would you recommend a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck. I plan on being at my ideal weight that I can/will maintain of 135-140 by the time I go for a tummy tuck.

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5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in 150-169 lbs candidate

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by CSBK

Doctor Answers (15)
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You should have a full Tummy Tuck. A mini is not the right procedure for you

Based on your pictures I believe you are a perfect tummy tuck candidate. You have loose excess skin that involves the entire abdomen, not only the portion below your belly button. A full tummy tuck will give you the best possible outcome. Best thing will be to see a board certified Plastic Surgeon who can examine you in person to assess the amount of excess skin and muscle laxity. If you really gained that much weight during your pregnancy I would hazard a guess that... more

Mini tummy tuck for mini problems ONLY

Thank you for the question. You need a full tummy tuck with mesh reinforcement. This technique will help you achieve weight loss and maintain the reduced weight. A mini tummy tuck will not provide the results you desire. Best of Luck, Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Should I Have a Full TT or a Mini?

FULL TT for sure! And it has been my experience as well that when I do a TT in a patient that has lost that much weight, their skin does relax a bit even after a really tight tummy tuck, so be prepared that you might have a bit of relaxation even after a Full TT...

Full or mini

Its called a "mini" for a reason. There is a very limited indication for a limited tummy tuck. Most women who have had two or more pregnancies have enough excess skin to have a full tummy tuck which allows much greater control over the final result. I would recommend that in your case. There also appears to be excess skin that is present in the hip areas which may require an extended form of a tummy tuck for more complete correction. I typically combine a... more

Ralph R. Garramone, MD

7 reviews

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

Based on the photos you the best cosmetic result appears for you to have an extended tummy tuck or possibley a body lift. The key is the extra skin you have in the waist area which is not treated by a standard full abdominoplasty. You do have significant stretch marks and probably thin skin which your doctor will discuss with you how this affects surgery and healing. A consult with several of your local plastic surgeons should give you the information you need to make an informed decision on... more

Mini or Full Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question and pictures. You will benefit from full tummy tuck surgery; you should also educate yourself about “extended” tummy tuck surgery. Generally speaking, the mini tummy talk is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For example, the area of... more

Full tummy tuck v mini

Very few women that want tummy tucks are good candidates for a mini, roughly one in twenty. When it is the right choice it is a fantastic procedure. On a person that needs a full tummy tuck it is a disapointment. Your pictures show excess skin in the area above the belly button and a large number of stretch marks below. You are a very good candidate for a full abdominoplasty and should have an excellent result in the hands of a skilled PS.

Full tummy tuck vs mini, best option?

Thanks for the photos. Without a doubt, you need a full tummy tuck or abdominoplasty to get the best results. Matter of fact you need an extended tummy tuck or a lower body lift as well. This is only determined for sure during a thorough consultation/examination. Even though you state that you have only 1" separation of the muscle, you have significant fascial laxity. See a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the best surgical option for you. Good luck.

Full vs mini tummy tuck?

Without an examination I am unable to provide a definite answer, but based on your photographs the best option for you would be a full tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty). A "mini" tummy tuck most likely won't remove enough loose skin to provide an acceptable result and liposuction will only address some excess fat, not the excess/damaged skin and the muscle looseness (diastasis). I also do not believe that any of the available non-surgical methods would... more

Full tummy tuck

A mini tuck is useful only when the problem areas are below the umbilicus. You photos demonstrate the need for skin and muscle correction throughout the abdomen. When you reachbyour ideal weight, you will be an excellent candidate for this procedure.

Should I Have a Full TT or a Mini?

The posted photos demonstrate you need a FULL TUMMY TUCK. Best to be examined in person by a boarded PS in your area.

As bigger the abdomen as bigger the scar dimension

Definetely you would need a complete TT with lypo and also internal muscle repair, that means than incition should be bigger than during a mini in order to get an excelent result.

Full tummy tuck vs mini

A full tummy tuck is definitely the right way to go for you. A mini will only remove a small amount of skin from the lower abdomen and fix some of the muscles in that location. The full will fix all the muscles and remove the maximum amount of skin.

Full tummy tuck vs Mini tummy tuck

Based solely on your photos you have a significant amount of excess skin above and below the belly button and therefore will likely do best with a full tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck involves removing a small to modest amount of skin and fat below the belly button and detaching the bellybutton allowing it to move down the abdominal wall with the remaining intact skin. This is best for minimal to moderate skin excess that is concentrated below the belly button. It will have minimal... more

No question, you need a full TT

There is no doubt in my mind that the only appropriate TT for you is a full one because a mini does nothing above the umbilicus and you have loose skin and muscles up there.