Full Tummy Tuck Vs. Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery?

asked 11 months ago by AndiP in Pennsylvania
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 199 times
Tags: comparison, recovery

For a person who has an option of doing the full tummy tuck or the mini, how much worse is the recovery if you go with the full tuck??? Seems like it would be logical to do the full route if the mini tuck is about the about same in recovery. Thoughts? Thanks!!!

6 answers to Full Tummy Tuck Vs. Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery?

Full tummy tuck vs. mini--recovery is similar for both!

I do very few mini tummy tucks, because most patients are not a good candidate and really need the full tummy tuck to achieve their goals. These goals are: tightening of the stretched or widened abdominal muscles, removal and tightening of excess, loose, wrinkled, or stretch-marked abdominal skin (smooth from breast bone to pubic area), and the best (least visible) scar in the bikini line and around an improved belly button. Hernia fixed if present. Lipo on hips if needed. Quick recovery.... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Full versus Mini Tummy Tuck

Hello AndiP, The amount of discomfort and the length of recovery is based mostly on whether muscle plication was performed during the procedure in question. Length of skin incisions or how much skin is removed does not affect recovery time. Although rare, 'mini' tummy tucks can also incorporate muscle plication, thereby making them roughly equal to full tummy tucks in terms of discomfort and recovery. You certainly don't want to pick a 'mini'... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Full tummy tuck and mini tummy tucks are almost the same recovery

The difference between the recovery from a full tummy tuck and a mini is not enough to justify not doing the full if it will be giving you the better result. Mini's are rare because most patients have some laxity of skin and or muscle above the umbilicus and minis don't touch those areas and can even make them look worse.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck

Our full tucks are off work for 2 weeks and then return. Our minis are off a week or less. Thank you for your question and good luck with everything.

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon

Mini vs Full tummy tuck

The vast majority of my patients need a full tummy tuck becasue they have a diastasis of the recti muscles( sepration of the abdominal muscles) and alo of extra skin. The insision, which is located in the bikini line, varies depending upon the extent of the loose skin. A mini tuck is unommon and is used in the special situation where the skin excess is limited and where musce repair is either not needed is or minimal. Sine the recovery period is not that much diferent for the 2... more

George Lefkovits, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck choices

The answer is, "it depends". Mini tucks may involve more or less. For example the muscle separation may or may not be repaired at the same time. Liposuction may or may not be involved. If you truly are a good candidate for a full tummy tuck, you will probably be happier with its results. You might be better off taking the time to do the best job.

Hugh McLean, MD
Mississauga Plastic Surgeon

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