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Full Tummy Tuck After Mini Tummy Tuck?

asked 2 years ago by KrisS in Virginia
Latest answer by Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Question viewed 563 times
Tags: full, lower abdomen, pulled, skin, tightness

Can I still get a full tummy tuck after I already had a mini tummy tuck? I am not sure if a full TT is now an option for me because my lower abdomen is really tight and there would not be enough skin to pull for the procedure. Not sure if there are any other procedures that can improve the appearance of my naval and skin around it?

12 answers to Full Tummy Tuck After Mini Tummy Tuck?

Converting mini tummy tuck to full tummy tuck

My problem with the mini tummy tuck is that it tightens the lower abdomen nicely, but does not tighten the upper abdomen. This creates the "mini tuck" look, a flat lower abdomen with a bulge in the upper abdomen. Mini tummy tucks can almost always be converted to full tummy tucks. Women (and men) will then be faced with the same issues that probably made them choose the mini tuck in the first place, high incision vs. vertical component, longer incision with the full tummy... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Seems like you don't have enough skin laxity for full Tummy Tuck

The mini Tummy Tuck shouldn't change anything in regards to a real tummy tuck. Ultimately, if you are a candidate for a real tummy tuck then you'll need some skin laxity and it sounds like you don't have enough to pull it off easily. Your best bet is to be examined by a board certified plastic surgeon and see what his opinion is on your particular situation. His opinion should clarify many of your concerns that can't truly be answered until a physical exam has been done. There are many... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.DoctorMeade.com

A full tummy tuck is definitely still possible after mini tummy tuck

Hi Kris in Virginia There should be no problem having a full tummy tuck after a mini tummy tuck if you have enough skin of your upper abdomen. It doesn't matter how much skin you have below your belly button, being able to do a full tummy tuck is dependant on having enough skin above the belly button to cover the lower abdomen once that skin has been removed. Also when you have a full tummy tuck, we typically tighten up your muscles. Depending on what the issue is with your belly button,... more

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

Consider a reverse tummy tuck after mini tummy tuck

This is an impossible question to answer without some photos to see if you are even a candidate for the full. I have converted minis to fulls but there are always reasons to do that. A bad diagnosis by the 1st surgeon, upper abdominal fullness, weight gain, etc. You might consider a reverse tummy tuck. Best of luck.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Full tummy tuck after a mini tummy tuck.

I have performed full tummy tucks after mini tummy tucks and the key issue is level of the lower abdominal incision, the position of the umbilicus as well as the amount of upper abdominal skin laxity. If there is insufficient laxity, then you may require a small vertical incision.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Full tummy tuck after mini tummy tuck

It is usually not a problem to do a full tummy tuck after a mini tummy tuck. Tightness of the skin below the belly button is not as important as how much loose skin remains ABOVE the belly button. It is that loose skin which will be used to pull down and cover your tummy completely. If you have loose skin above or around your belly button after a mini (a common problem with minis) then a full tummy tuck is really to only option.

Robert B. Pollack, MD
La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

Full tummy tuck can be done after mini tummy tuck.

Hi. 1) Unfortunately, yours is a pretty common situation. Too many mini tummy tucks are done, because it sounds less scary, and then the woman is left with a new deformity. 2) In New York City, we have done about a dozen full tummy tucks after previous minis. Good results and no complications. The loose upper abdominal skin is slid down.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Full tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck

Your question is a really good one and the bottom line is that you need to see an experienced surgeon in your area to determine if this is a possibility. If the lower abdominal skin is too tight, you may want to wait for the skin to loosen. Your other options to address the upper abdomen would be to go ahead with the full tummy tuck with the understanding that you may end up with an additional small vertical scar in your midline (your consulting surgeon can go into more detail as to... more

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

Have an evaluation for tummy tuck after mini tummy tuck

A secondary tummy tuck may be possible, but you need to be evaluated for your tissue elasticity. It sounds like you will need some skin tightening, if not muscle tightening too. A secondary tummy tuck can be done but with the scarring and deficient skin from the first tissue, technical issues may present, and you questons can only be adequately be answered by examination from an experienced ps.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Full tummy tuck can be done after mini tummy tuck

The answer is yes. Here are some considerations: 1. First, the original scar will probably be the lower limit of the skin, that is where the new incision will be. 2. The belly button will be left in place on the underlying muscles but cut free from the surrounding skin. The skin above the belly button is then undermined. 3. The skin flap is then pulled down. The excess skin is removed. Now, the hole in the flap where the belly button had been may come out in the skin that is removed or it... more

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Can a Full Tummy Tuck be done after a MINI Tummy Tuck?

The ability to do a full abdominoplasty after a mini-tummy tuck procedure depends on the degree of skin looseness you have. If you have a lot of tummy skin looseness, it will work very nicely. If there is some looseness, the operation may have to leave you with a vertical scar where the belly button opening used to be because it may not clear the transverse incision. I agree with Dr. Rand. In the hundreds of tummy tuck procedures, i have done, I had one patient who had a tummy tuck 10 years... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Full tummy tuck after a mini

If you look on my web site, you will see just this combination. There was a 15-20 year separation between the 2 so that enough laxity developed to make it possible. Visit a great plastic surgeon in your area and see what can be done. Your experience is exactly why mini tummy tucks should be much more rare than full TT's.