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Mini Instead of Full Tummy Tuck to Avoid Scarring?

I am wanting a Tummy Tuck (TT) so bad, although I have researched them tremendously, I have came across Mini Tummy Tucks.

I am 23 years old and have 2 kids. I am very uncomfortable with my stomach in front of my husband because of the saggy skin beneath my belly button. I have had a couple of consultations with plastic surgeons one says a mini would do and the other says a full TT.

I would personally keep the stretch marks instead of a huge scar from a full TT but I don't know what to do. Help?

Asked 29 months ago by Nicole979 in Texas

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Mini-tummy tuck vs full tummy tuck

The difference between a mini-tummy tuck and "regular" tummy tuck are as follows: Mini-TT only tightens the lower (below the belly button) portion of the abdomen Full-TT tightens the entire abdominal wall, from sternum to pubic bone. Mini-TT does not involve any scarring around the belly button, but it does move down closer to the pubic area. Full-TT does involve cutting around your belly button to create the "new" belly button, which remains in the same basic anatomic... more

Doctor's Website

William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Full vs Mini Tummy Tuck and incisions

You will have a scar in the bikini area from either the mini or full tummy tuck. The length depends on the degree of skin laxity you have. In addition, with a full tummy tuck, you will have an incision around the belly button, and you may have a small vertical line if the old belly button scar cannot be stretched enough to be excised with abdominal tissue that is going away. The main advantage of the full tummy tuck is that you can tighten abdominal muscles as well. It... more

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

Mini versus Full tummy tuck

Hi Nicole, Your concern about the length of a full tummy tuck scar is shared by many women. If you think about, no patient ever comes into the office asking for a big scar! What patients do say, though, is that they're bothered about sagging of their skin, stretch marks, and bulges of their abdominal wall, none of which they can fix with diet or exercise. Some of their problems are the result of irreversible skin injury which occurs with fluctuations in weight, but some of their... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Thank you for the question. Pictures or direct examination would also be very helpful. Having said that, most patients in your situation would trade an improved contour and end result for a longer scar- a full tummy tuck procedure usually creates the best result. A few general words of caution may be helpful in regards to mini- tummy tuck surgery. In my opinion, the mini tummy talk is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely... more

Doctor's Website

Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

"Mini TT" gives a mini result!

Mini tummy tucks work best for thin women with just a little extra skin on the lower abdomen. If that is you, then got for it! If it's not, the only additional scar from the full tummy tuck is around the belly button and the bikini scar may be a bit longer. Another thing to consider is that you can start with the mini and if you don't like it (after a few months of healing), you can always go back and do the full. But once that scar is on you, it is there for life! Everyone is afraid... more