Tummy Tuck Q&A
94%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
2,300 Reviews
Tummy Tuckbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,925

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,730 people and 863 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Do I Need a Mini or a Full Tummy Tuck?

asked 9 months ago by lola1981xx in london
Latest answer by Donald M. Brown, MD
Question viewed 400 times
Tags: candidate, comparison, opinion

Hi there, Could someone please give me some advice on weather I would need a full or a mini tummy tuck?..I do have fat on my belly so I know I would need lipo aswell.. Many thanks x

19 answers to Do I Need a Mini or a Full Tummy Tuck?

+2

Mini vs full tummy tuck

Looking very carefully at your photos it appears that you have loose skin with stretch marks, extra fat and a diastasis or widening of the abdominal muscles. A mini tummy tuck will not address all of these problems and were you to undergo a mini tummy tuck I believe that you would not be happy with the result. I would definitely suggest a full tummy tuck.
Donald M. Brown, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck versus mini tummy tuck

In my hands liposuction and the skin excision, mini tummy tuck, maybe the best surgery for you. It's difficult to tell from photograph without examining whether or not this should be true. The real determination to decide between the two procedures would be based on your, wall musculature and fascia. If the abdominal wall is tight then the liposuction and short scar decision would work well if the muscles abdominal wall is weak then the tummy tuck with the muscle tightening would... more
Wendell Perry, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2

Muscle plication very helpful, but only with a full tummy tuck

Muscle laxity occurs between the edges of the rectus abdominis sit up muscles from pregnancies. Surgical tightening of the inner edges of these two muscle to tighten the waist line is possible with a full tummy tuck, but not the mini-tuck. If you are finished with growing your family, consider a full abdominoplasty. I will echo the need to have an in depth consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon including a physical examination of your abdomen. Good... more
David N. Hing, MD

Ann Arbor Plastic Surgeon
+2

Full or mini tummy tuck

I believe you will benefit most with a full tummy tuck. This would allow the abdominal muscles to be completely tightened and removal and the excess skin. Most women after child birth need a full tummy tuck for the best results. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.
Donald Nunn, MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+2

Do I Need a Mini or a Full Tummy Tuck?

Guess I will continue on the "FULL" choice. Your photos, thanks, clearly demonstrate the need for muscle repair superiorly, above the umbilicius.
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy Tuck FOR SURE!

If you have completed having kids a full TT is the way to go. You have a very stretched abdominal wall and very loose skin. A mini TT will short change you and will eliminate the possibility of a full TT in the future. see video
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

+2

Full TT or mini

There are several things to consider with abdominoplasties. The one most people think of first is the excess skin. While you don't appear to have a lot above your belly button there is some that will not be corrected with a mini-abdominoplasty. The other aspect of the TT is the protuberance of your abdomen which is moderate and starts way above your umbilicus. In my opinion you will get a much better result from a full TT, but as Dr. Whitt mentioned, you will... more
Lori H. Saltz, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

+2

Mini vs full tummy tuck

Based on the photos you provided, you appear to be a good candidate for a full (standard) tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck involves repair of the rectus muscles and removal of the majority of loose and excess skin to provide a tightened abdomen area. Liposuction is usually included in the procedure to help improve body contours. A mini tummy tuck only involves work done to the muscles and skin below the belly button area. Ultimately, it is best to discuss your overall goals with your surgeon to... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+2

Mini versus Full Tummy Tuck

It's always difficult to know for sure what your best option is without an examination, but in general most women who have had kids tend to do better with a full tummy tuck. The reason is that the rectus muscles widen throughout their length, not just below the belly button, in order to make room for the pregnancy, and I think based on your photo you probably have some of that persisting above your belly button as well as below it. So during the procedure we would need to... more
Shahram Salemy, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

+2

Full vs. mini-tummy tuck

First of all I would recommend you have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and give you the best recommendation. With that being said, it does look as if you have some muscle laxity above your belly button which would indicate that you would benefit more from a full tummy tuck. With a full abdominoplasty the muscle can be tightened above and below your belly button to help flatten the abdomen.
M. Keith Hanna, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+2

Full or mini TT

From the photos you provided it seems that you have some muscle laxity and excess skin. Therefore ful tummy tuck is mostlikely what you need. A formal consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon will address this particular question.
Moneer Jaibaji, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

Do I Need a Mini or a Full Tummy Tuck?

The usual rule is: mini operation, mini result. While I occasionally do miniabdominoplasties, most women need the full procedure to obtain the best result. Judging from your photos I would recommend a full abdominoplasty. Find an experienced plastic surgeon to explain your options. Good luck!
Eric Pugash, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.vancouvercosmeticsurgery.ca

+2

Full or mini tuck

Based only on photos I would say a full tummy tuck. I can see that you have laxity up higher than your belly button and stretch marks that go at least that high. With a full tummy tuck you can have your diastasis fully repaired and achieve a flatter, smoother result. You will lose your tattoo.....You should certainly visit a board certified plastic surgeon for a complete assessment. Good luck!
Tiffany McCormack, MD

Reno Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryrenotahoe.com

+2

Mini Or Full Tummy Tuck

I think it is difficult to answer your question without an examination. Although Dr. Rand feels that you can see muscle laxity in your upper abdomen, I cannot be certain of this. I am concerned that with your relatively high umbilicus and minimal excess upper abdominal skin, that you may need wind up with a vertical scar in the lower abdomen as well as the usual more transversely oriented scar. Obtain a consultation with a plastic surgeon with whom you can discuss the... more
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

Dear Lola1981xx in London: Thank you for your question. It is not possible to be precise without an examination; however, your profile view suggests that there is laxity above the umbilicus (belly button) that would best be treated with a full tummy tuck. I have included links and video below as the decision between tummy tucks, mini tummy tucks and liposuction is something plastic surgeons deal with tevery day in our practice. I hope these resources help. They are not meant to be... more
Joseph Mele, MD

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
+2

Probable Full Tummy Tuck

What you really need is a good evaluation and consultation with a board certified plastic surgeons. I can look at your pictures and it appears because of the shape of your abdomen and muscle laxity that you would b a good candidate for a full tummy tuck but why let see someone and find out for sure. Best of Luck
Richard Linderman, MD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+2

TT

Your photos suggest a full TT, however, an in-depth consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon would be the wisest thing to do in order to assess the best treatment plan for you.
Edward J. Bednar, MD

Charlotte Plastic Surgeon
+2

Mini-tuck vs. Full Abdominoplasty

Without fully examing you, it is impossible to say, but based on your pictures, a full abdominoplasty ( tummy-tuck) is probably the best way to go. You appear to have a degree of abdominal bulging that would not be correctable with a mini-tuck. A full abdominoplasty would allow you to recontour the entire abdomen and achieve a better and more predictable outcome. I hope this helps.
Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD

Barrington Plastic Surgeon
+2

Mini vs full tummy tuck

While this is not actual medical advice, from your photos I would suggest a full TT because you have muscle laxity above the belly button that would not be addressed in a mini and enough lax skin from the belly button down that removing all of it would look better. A post-pregnancy patient who is a great candidate for a mini is actually very rare but many try to squeeze them into this box because it is what they think they want to hear. Best to do things right only one time I think. more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question