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Mini or Full Tummy Tuck or Liposuction Above the Navel?

asked 2 years ago by pussykatt
Latest answer by Jason Brett Lichten, MD
Question viewed 624 times
Tags: abdomen, female, athletic, plastic surgery

I am not your typical candidate as my problem tummy area is ABOVE the navel. I had surgery 30 years ago and have a scar from my navel to my pubic bone. The skin above that scar is "collecting" in a pool. The rest of my upper tummy is uneven and fatty. My lower abs are flat but scarred.

What procedure is best for me? Mini tummy tuck, full tummy tuck or a liposuction? I am thinking a combo. Also, how do I prevent dogears? I think it is a given with my body type. I'm not overweight; I'm athletic.

20 answers to Mini or Full Tummy Tuck or Liposuction Above the Navel?

Full tummy tuck vs. mini tuck

For problems of loose skin both above and below the belly buton, only a full tummy tuck will give relief and restore a nice figure. It sounds as if you fall into this category. Hopefully most of your old scarring will be within the target zone for skin removal for the full tummy tuck.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Epigastric fullness

You do not mention what type of abdominal procedure you had previously and there are no photos to view so it is impossible to give you any specfic reliable recommendation. However, if you did not have a previous full abdominoplasty, you could possibly have one now and use the upper abdominal fullness to replace the lower, scar abdominal skin. If this is not the case and the tissue above the navel is not adequate, only a reverse abdominoplasty would correct this or a full abdominoplasty from... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Mini or full tummy tuck?

The simple answer is that you need to have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which technique is right for you. For most women, a full tummy tuck is a better option. Although there may be longer scars, you are able to address loose skin of the upper and lower abdomen and the belly button tends to stay in a more normal anatomic location than with a mini tummy tuck which may lower it.

Jason Brett Lichten, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Benefits of a Full Tummy Tuck

Based on the information you provided, it sounds like you would benefit from a full (standard) tummy tuck to address the excess skin above the naval. You seem like an ideal candidate for a full tummy tuck since it involves repair of the rectus muscles and removal of the loose, excess skin. This procedure improves the body contours and tightens the appearance of the abdomen area. A mini tummy tuck would not be the best procedure for you since you have emphasized that your problem area is... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Individualized recommendations

It sounds like you could use a combination of the various procedures you mention. I try to add as few scars as possible and yet maximize results. I would definitely make use of the scar you already have by eliminating it or using it to achieve tightening of the lower abdomen. I definitely would need to see you prior to any further recommendations!

Edward J. Domanskis, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

BEST Treatment for Skin Looseness above the Belly Button and a Vertical Surgical Scar Below

Abdominal skin looseness in reality represents much more and implies abdominal wall muscle stretching and looseness as well. A vertical mid line scar below the belly button is never attractive. It is usually retracted and when accompanied by fat deposition it often comes to resemble a small rear end. To correct such a deformity one must be honest with his patient and ensure that every element contributing to the unattractive is treated. Failure to do so ALWAYS results in a disappointed... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Traditional Tummy Tuck or a Reverse Tummy Tuck will do the job

Sight unseen it is difficult to provide a definitive answer to your question. It sounds like your problem is predominantly one of excessive or loose skin in your upper abdomen. If this is the case rule out liposuction or a mini tuck as possible solutions. Liposuction does not tighten loose skin and may in fact increase the skin laxity. A mini tuck will help only the loose skin below the navel. A full abdominoplasty is the only one of the three options that would definitely address the... more

David A. Ross, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Reverse tummy tuck useful for loose skin above belly button.

Hi. Of course, you need a detailed, expert evaluation. You should just know that there are a very few women who are good candidates for a reverse tummy tuck, where the skin is removed upward, with scars under the breasts.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon you like and visit for a consult

Hi there- Without a more clear understanding of your particular goals, a careful examination, and a review of your options in order to get an idea of what you are willing to undergo, it is very difficult to say what your options are, or which might be in your best interests. In fact, I would be concerned that to give you my opinion with so little information would be unfair to the surgeons you end up visiting- especially if they (after spending their valuable time understanding you... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

How to improve your upper abdomen's appearance

I don't want to frighten you, but most lifts, including a mini and full tummy tuck, leave you with unsightly scars. It used to be that a tuck was the only option for a woman with a buldging tummy. Then liposuction came along, and we could do a smaller procedure with virtually no scarring. However, people who have especially slack skin in their midsection need more than what liposuction alone can offer. Typical candidates for a full tummy tuck are women with drooping abdomens after pregnancy,... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Best procedure for loose skin above umbilicus

For patients who have excess skin above the umbilicus only, one option is an umbilical float procedure. In this procedure the stalk of the umblicus is divided and it remains attached to the skin. The umbilicus is then lowered slightly and this will "stretch" out the upper abdominal skin. Your plastic surgeon can determine if this will correct the problem. This is different from a standard tummy tuck in which the umbilical stalk remains attached to the underlying abdominal wall... more

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Full Tummy Tuck

If the skin above your belly button is loose enough a full abdominoplasty will not only tighten your abdomen, but potentially eliminate your lower abdominal scarring thus improving your overall look. If your are thin as you state dogears should be a minimal problem. Good luck, Dr T

Scott Tucker, MD
Winston Salem Plastic Surgeon

Mini versus full tummy tuck

For anything above the umbilicus, you need a full tummy tuck. The good news is that you'll be able to get rid of that vertical scar as well. You may also need some liposuction for your flanks, but this can only be determined by a physical examination. Best wishes.

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Mini Tummy Tuck

Without a picture, it is difficult to say what operation may help you best. However, from your description, it sounds like a full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) would be the best procedure to address all your concerns. A mini tuck only addresses loose skin between the belly button and the pubis. I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your procedure. see video

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Mini tummy tuck only for loose skin in lower abdomen

First the disclaimer: no one can give you specific advice without personally examining you. Having said that, the situation you describe is exactly what the full tummy tuck is for. The benefit is that it would remove your existing scar and the new one would be low and horizontal. The mini only works for loose skin limited to the lower abdomen with good skin tone above the umbi. As always, I recommend the Progresssive Tension Suture technique to keep the scar low and speed recovery. more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You need to see a plastic surgeon

Your problem need to be evaluated in person -- in general if you have excess skin and fat a full tummy tuck gives the best results. It also allows us to get up to the full diastatsis and repair it. Let a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in tummy tucks evaluate you.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

A Full tummy tuck addresses the upper and lower abdomen

In what you describe, a full tummy tuck would most likely be best becasue there are issues both above and below the umbilicus and the skin isn't great above it either (eliminating liposuction). The issues of a dog ear are just to let the surgeon make the scar long enough that there aren't any.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Scar below navel (belly button) and loose skin above

In your case a full tummy tuck may accomplish many goals including elimination of the vertical scar and eradicationof the excess upper abdominal skin by transferring it to the lower abdomein. This could be a skin only abdominoplasty if your muscles are intact., A dog ear is treated by excision. Typically the lengthening the scar and tapering the ends will minimize the dog ear.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Mini or full tummy tuck or liposuction above the navel

No photos than I can not respond to your specific inquiry. At least give us a chance by including photos. My guess is yes I would do Smart Lipo. But I really am guessing.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck

It osunds like you need a full tummy tuck. The excess skin above the navel can certainly be treated with a tummy tuck. You can also have the muscle tightened above as well.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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