Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Mini or Full TT? (photo)

I'm 46, 5"4..130 lbs..4 c-sections/gained 50 lbs with each(kids are 19,14,12 and 6)also have a scar from an emergency ruptured ectopic preg.never had an elective surgery,and have dreamt of fixing my tummy for years! (i eat clean and work out, but nothing budges the "shelf"..I don't have any stretch marks..could i get by with mini or do full? I don't like the idea of a hip to hip scar. I did extremely well with all of my c-sections and assume that this would be similar (minus the reward of a baby

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by sunny love

Doctor Answers (13)
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Mini Versus Full Tummy Tuck

There is no question that a full tummy tuck with liposuction of your flanks will give you the best, flattest, result. Liposuction alone will de-bulk your superficial abdominal fat but will not not address the roundness of your abdomen. Mini tuck also will not address your diastiasis (roundness from muscle separation). Only a full tummy tuck will address your fat, extra skin and roundness to your abdomen. Good Luck.

Superficial and deep liposuction can tighten the abdomen.

Hi. Just going by your picture, I think you would get a nice result just with tumescent liposuction, with much easier recovery and no scar. The skin can contract to a surprising degree (Gasparotti technique). In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied, you can always have a full tummy tuck later. You have not burnt any bridges. But, whatever you do, avoid a mini tummy tuck. see video

Mini or Full Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question and pictures. I think you will do well with a full tummy tuck procedure; I would not offer you a mini tummy tuck procedure. A few words of caution for patients contemplating tummy tuck surgery may be in order: 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... more

A mini-tummy tuck would fall short of your desire for a flatter tummy.

Thank you for your question and the photos. From the pictures it seems that you would enjoy the benefits of a full tummy tuck and be disappointed with the results of a mini-tummy tuck. Good Luck.

Good candidate for LTA

Looking at you pictures, it seems that you are a better candidate for a full abdominoplasty. I have taken care of many patients who have undergone a mini abdominoplasty with good but minimal results. It's always better to have a longer incision and not sacrifice the sculpted result you can get from a Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty.

Less overweight less seize scar for any TT

You are an excelent patient to realize a combined TT with vasser lypo according to respect the important vessels than are in specifical areas of your belly, yes can be done with a short scar like a cesarean and besides utilize your fat for BB , it should be done only for any specialized and certified plastic reconstructive surgeon not facial or cosmetic surgeon

Mini or full tummy tuck??

If the skin from the bottom of the breastbone to the navel is loose enough to reach all the way to the cesarean section incision, then a full tummy tuck would be the best option. From the photos it looks like that skin is quite talked and that the only laxity is below the navel. if that is correct a mini tummy tuck should be your choice. I cannot quite tell, but a consultation with your surgeon should help you decide. Best wishes.

Mini or full tummy tuck?

If your laxity (skin and underlying muscle/fascia) is only in the lower tummy, than a lower or mini tummy tuck is indicated. The scar for a mini TT is essentially the same length or very close to that of a full TT. If you have any laxity above the belly button that you want corrected, then you need a full TT. If you do not have enough skin laxity above the belly button to advance the old BB hole down far enough to remove it, then it is closed as a small vertical scar in the lower tummy... more

Full or Mini Tummy Tuck

It looks like a full tummy tuck has more to offer you. A mini tummy tuck will tighten the abdomen below the belly button, but will improve the contour of your abdomen. A full tummy tuck can help contour from the ribs to the lower abdomen. It is not possible to be exact without an in office examination, but the outer aspect of your rectus sheath looks wide, and repairing this internally should make a nice change. Good luck, and you are correct about the recovery being similar to a... more

Joseph Mele, MD

4 reviews

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon

www.DrMele.com

What is the difference between a mini and full tummy tuck?

You have to know the difference between a mini and full tummy tuck before you can make your decision. Mini tummy tuck doesn't require an incision around the belly button tightens the muscle wall only below the belly button usually doesn't remove skin above the level of the belly button the word mini doesn't mean that the incision is small, sometimes it is just as big Full tummy tuck usually requires an incision around the belly... more

Full tummy tuck

From the photographs, I think you do need a full tummy tuck and that a mini-tuck will not create an acceptable result. The abdomen has too much bulge and muscle laxity, above and below the umbilicus, for a mini-tuck. The incision will be placed inside the panty line and plastic surgeons work very hard to create optimal scarring.

Mini or Full TT

Looks like a full TT to me. Minis give mini results. As long as you are going under the knife, get the best result possible.

Mini- vs. Full Tummy Tuck

From your photos it appears that you have muscle loosening, skin laxity and a little bit of excess fat both ABOVE and below the belly button. A mini-tummy tuck will only tighten things from the belly button down. Therefore, your best result will come from a conbination of conservative liposuction and a full tummy tuck. As a rule, incisions heal beautifully. And, since the incision is placed below the panty line, it is not even visible in shorts or a bathing suit. I... more