Can I Get Good Results from Liposuction or Mini Tummy Tuck?

I Do Not Want the Long Scar from a Tummy Tuck. 5'2", 118 lbs, no stretch marks, skin in relatively good condidtion with only small amount of loose skin. My stomach pooches out and has significant fatty deposits. I have had 3 kids. According to my doctor, I have some muscle separation, though not severe. I have been told that I may not have enough skin and thus would also need a short vertical scar in addition to the horizontal scar. I am not dissatisfied enough with my body to accept a hip to hip scar.

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by Phoenix830 in Phoenix, AZ

Doctor Answers (10)
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Mini tummy tuck

I think you would be a good candidate for a mini tuck. There would be a small incision very low down to gain access to the lower abs and muscle separation and also a small incision around the belly button to gain access to the upper abs. Recovery is relatively short on this from a daily living standpoint but heavy excercise would be limited for a number of weeks.

MINI vs LIPO

Dear Phoenix 830. It is hard to tell anything from a photo. That being said, although I don't know your age you look fairly young. As well you don't appear to have what is known assiginificant baby fluff; that loose fluffy tissue in the belly. You do seem to have some thickness of your torso that will be improved with a decrease in fat. I would be concerned about the amount of skin that you have not being enough to get a low lying abdominal scar in a tummy tuck. It... more

Mini-tummy tuck versus standard tummy tuck

It appears as though you're a great candidate for a mini-tummy tuck with liposuction. You're muscles can be tightened this way as well and the scar will be shorter than the standard tummy tuck scar.

Can I Get Good Results from Liposuction or Mini Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for your question and pictures. I agree with your doctor that you probably do not have enough skin to do a full tummy tuck and get the incision real low. In my practice, I would recommend SamrtLipo and a mini tummy tuck. The SmartLipo will remove excess fat and help with a little more skin tightening and the mini tummy tuck will allow for tightening of the muscle and removing excess skin from the lower abdomen.

Mini Tummy Tuck

I would lean towards the mini TT. Liposuction will make your skin more “loose”, even with laser, and with the many claims of tighter skin. Yes the laser will make it tighter, but laser still falls short of the needed tightening. Consider the mini TT, and the tighter skin from removal of the excess skin. Have a consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and make a plan.

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Thank you for the question and picture. It is hard to give you exact advice without direct examination but I think you would be better off with no surgery rather than a mini tummy tuck. 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 address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For example, the area... more

Mini tummy tuck usually yields a mini result

Based on your profile view photo - I would recommend a standard abdominoplasty to achieve tightening of the full length of your abdominal muscles. This can be done through a relatively short pelvic incision for patients that have minimal skin laxity, like you appear to have.

Liposuction vs mini tummy tuck

From your photos and history, I believe you would get a much better result from a mini tummy tuck, possibly with some liposuction as well. The lower abdominal bulge is most likely being caused by the separation of your abdominal muscles that occurred with your pregnancies. this bulge could be corrected with the mini tummy tuck but not by liposuction alone.

Mini versus standard tummy tuck

It is hard to assess you skin quality with the photos, but I would suggest that the photos look like you have no stretch marks and that you are fairly young. The fat can be addressed with Liposuction alone, but if you do have a significant separation in the muscles, you may need a procedure to tighten the muscles. i.e. tummy tuck, or mini tummy tuck. I too would be concerned that you do not have enough skin for a full tummy tuck, and would be hesitant to recommend that... more

Mini tummy tuck and/or lipo

A physical exam would be need to get you the most accurate recommendations. However, the bulging is likely manifesting from your muscle separation (post pregnancy changes). a mini tummy tuck approach will allow your surgeon to tighten up the muscles (and with the aide of an endoscope or other lighted instrument, the muscles can be tightened throughout your abdominal wall). Liposuction can be added as an adjunct to this procedure. However, if your... more