Mini Tummy Tuck Q&A
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Full Tummy Tuck or Mini?

asked 1 year ago by Faye F.
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 897 times
Tags: age 25-34, female, choices

I am a 25 year old mother of one who before having my daughter was quite confident and happy with my body. During pregnancy I noticed stretch marks, which I feared getting during my pregnancy because it is hereditary in my family. I want to regain my confidence and be happy with my body.

13 answers to Full Tummy Tuck or Mini?

+2

Mini vs Full Tummy Tuck

Faye, Actually, based on your photo, I do not see any excess skin to warrant any tummy tuck. If you have skin laxity, a mini tuck should help. A lateral photo may be able to give me more information. You have lots of stretch marks. Nothing have has been shown to eliminate these stretch marks. Don't believe the hype. However, you may benefit from some liposuction, if you have excess fat. The best way to know is to visit with a board certified Plastic surgeon. Good luck. Dr Okoro.... more
Stanley Okoro, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

www.georgiaplastic.com

+2

A tummy tuck may or may not improvement stretch marks.

Thank you for your question. The stretch marks which you see are a result of the rapid expansion of your skin during pregnancy. This expansion cause actual scarring within the skin. Because the skin is translucent, you see these as stretch marks. Despite the claims from creams, lasers, and other "non-surgical" therapies, the only sure way to remove stretch marks is to cut them out. In a tummy tuck, a portion of the skin up to and often beyond the belly-button is removed.... more
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

+2

Full Tummy Tuck or Mini

Thanks for posting a photo. My choice is an extended mini TT with upper abdominal Smart Lipo. Hope that helps from MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, 305 598 0091
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2

Full vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

Dear Faye: If you cover you abdomen from the belly button down and like what you still can see, you will probably do okay with a mini tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck can fix most problems below the belly button. For problems that extend above the belly button, a full tummy tuck is going to do a much better job. see video
Joseph Mele, MD

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Thank you for the question. It is hard to give you good advice based on the frontal view picture only. If there is significant redundant skin/adipose tissue when you are flexed at the waist (diving position) is likely that you will have a much better results with a full tummy tuck operation. In my opinion, 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... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck vs Full tummy tuck.

It is impossible to give recommendations without a formal physical assessment/exam of your belly. Having said that, I would likely recommend a full tummy tuck especially to correct any post-pregnancy changes. After most 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 better body... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Tummy tuck results

You appear to have minimal skin laxity but a substantial amount of damaged skin (stretch marks or striae). You may have some degree of muscle laxity as well. A tummy tuck will not eliminate all of your stretch marks. Your lack of significant skin laxity indicates that you'll like need a short vertical scar as I doubt I would be able to transpose your umbilical hole all the way down to your pelvic scar. In summary- a mini tummy tuck is not the right operation for you. A full tummy... more
Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

When to get a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is a safe and effective procedure that can create a more contoured abdomen, a tight waist and a beautiful figure. In our Miami practice, we feel that as all patients are unique, so is every tummy tuck. During the initial consultation, we spent a great deal of time talking to the patients to understand what their concerns are, to learn their aesthetic goals, so that in this way we can create a surgical plan that will help the patient meet their aesthetic ideal. If a... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

+1

Full versus mini tummy tuck

In this view it is difficult, If you have significant skin laxity above belly button when bending at the waist, a full tummy tuck is probably preferred over a mini tummy tuck. See video in attached link for more information on the dirfference bewtween the two
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full tummy tuck or a mini depends on the amount of excess skin

From your photo, it appears as though you may benefit from a mini tummy tuck.  However, the big question is what to do with your belly button.  It can either be "floated" and pulled down a little bit or kept where it is and you'll end up with a small vertical scar where your belly button used to be located.  This is pretty difficult to explain in text and easier to show you in person.  Also, you may want to consider a bit of liposuction of your hips to... more
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini-tummy tuck or full

If you are planning to have more children, I would wait to have anything performed.  To decide between a mini or a full at that point really depens upon your exam.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stretch marks alone is not a reason for a tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is only incidentally beneficial to eliminating stretch marks on the abdomen. Those stretch marks that fall into the pattern of the cutout will be removed but those that don't will stay behind. (albeit changed to a lower position) The primary reason for considering a tummy tuck, whether it be a mini- or a full one, is because there is loose skin and fat that can be removed which will benefit one's abdominal shape and contour.
Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini vs. full tummy tuck

It seems from your picture, that some lipo and a mini would work well. I did not see a lateral picture. If you have protrussion of your belly above and below the umbilicus, you may benefit from muscle repair. If that is the case, the full may be necessary.
Luis A. Vinas, MD

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

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