Mini or Full Tummy Tuck After Twins

Question

I have had two previous pregnancy's the first as a teen with twins and a single birth 7 months ago. I want to get a tummy tuck done but I really want the scaring to be minimum. Which procedure would work best for me and is a mini tummy tuck a option?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

It's difficult to make recommendations online.  So , I suggest you begin with an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgery to learn if you are a candidate for a surgical procedure. If deemed a candidate, you may benefit from a #drainless tummy tuck. Silicone #drainage tubes are used by trained Plastic Surgeons for many different operations.  The purpose is to drain extra fluid that may otherwise accumulate under the skin, fat or muscle following an operation.  Patients generally find this annoying and uncomfortable and they can impede mobility and therefore slow aspects of #healing. Over the years, surgeons have improved procedures and found ways to eliminate the need for these #drains in a variety of operations; including #tummy #tuck or #abdominoplasty.
I have found that most of my patients do very well with the exception of those have large areas of liposuction or lipo-abdominoplasty.  I may use drains on a case by case basis for these patients. A newer option now can include the use of tissue #glue to adhere the abdominal #skin to the #muscle; eliminating any space that previously required a drain.
Liposuction may help and often complements other cosmetic surgical procedures. However, whether it will be the sole solution for you depends on the amount of body fat in the area of concern. If liposuction alone is not recommended, you may benefit from a tummy tuck with #liposuction. Vaser liposuction, also known as Vaser #lipo, LipoSelection or Liposuction, is an advanced body #contouring procedure that selectively removes unwanted body fat. An alternative to the harsh techniques of traditional liposuction, #Vaser lipo uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology designed to gently #reshape your body. What distinguishes the Vaser lipo procedure is its ability to differentiate targeted #fat from other important tissues; such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. Innovative VASER #technology breaks up fat while preserving these other important tissues to promote smooth #results and rapid healing.
Aside from checking board-certification, it is suggested that you look at before and after photos of the surgeons actual patients, and read patient reviews. Gathering all of this information will help you make a well-informed decision. Always discuss your issues and concerns with the Plastic Surgeon during and following your consultation. Information that you read online may not apply to your personal situation.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  I hope that these answers help!
  Tummy tuck is an excellent method for shaping the belly and create a 
flatter and sculpted abdomen after the procedure. Given your desires, I do believe that you would be an excellent candidate for this 
procedure in order to remove the excess skin/soft tissue of your lower 
abdomen and contour the areas of your belly.   Also, abdominal wall 
tightening may optimize your result. Stretch marks to the level of your 
umbilicus will also be excised.  Also, a continued healthy and active 
lifestyle prior to the procedure and afterwards is recommended in order to maintain the benefits that the 
procedure has given to you. Once you are ready for the 
procedure, I would likely recommend a full tummy tuck with abdominal 
wall tightening.   This would remove the excess skin/soft tissue 
and stretch marks while contouring your belly.  The mini tummy tuck has 
limited usefulness and limited candidates as it truly only addresses 
excess skin in a small area above your pubis.  It will not address your 
abdominal wall and the tightening of such, frequently needed to achieve a shapely abdominal wall.  While the recovery 
time 
is shorter, the benefits afforded to you by a full tummy tuck are much 
greater and will optimize your result.  You should consult with a
board-certified plastic surgeon well-versed in body contouring 
procedures at anytime to go over options to assist you in deciding
 which procedure(s) would be right for you.  Best wishes!

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

There are pros and cons to each procedure. The mini tummy tuck has the advantage of avoiding a scar around your belly button and usually a shorter scar in the bikini line. BUT, with the mini tuck, the upper abdomen cannot be tightened. The full tuck has more scar but provides a correction for your entire abdomen. If only the lower skin is loose and there isn't much problem in your upper abdomen, then a mini tuck can indeed be a better choice.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

A mini tummy tuck does not mean a short incision. After twins it is most likely you will need a full. See the description of the procedures in the video in the linked page below that describes the differences.

Christian G. Drehsen, MD · Answer

cosmetic surgery is always a trade off!

	the belly  button is like a nail in a  saggy  drape ,if you  dont change it ,you wont be able to tighten the drape.

	if only the  lower skin is loose ,a mini tuck  can indeed be the answer.

Luis A. Vinas, MD · Answer

After two children, your abdominal muscles and the laxity of the skin is probably there. The mini will have 50 to 80% of the same scar length. It does not fix your muscles above the belly buttton. The skin above the belly button will also be loose after a mini. With a full, the muscles and all laxity is corrected. The belly button could look very nice if you get an inverted "C" incicion on it. Also, you could have a pain pump in the muscle suture area to decrease the muscle pain and spasms. Lastly, the use of Harmonic scarpel will decrease the recovery period, drainage and pain.

Joseph Mele, MD · Answer

The best way to determine if a tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck will do what you want is to see a board certified plastic surgeon in your area. If the skin and muscle laxity is confined to the region below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck is probably enough. If you have loose skin or the abdomen is round above the belly button, you will probably not be happy with a mini tummy tuck, no matter how short the scar.

	The length of the scar is determined by the amount of extra skin not the choice of procedure. The wider the skin folds over, the wider the scar needs to be. Since mini tummy tucks area usually done when there is less extra skin, the scars tend to be shorter. If you try to make a short scar in a situation that calls for a longer one, you will end up with bumps of skin at the ends of the incision.

	You don't have to pick which operation is right for you. That is why you consult with a professional. Operations are our tools, and it takes a long time to learn when and how to use them. A reputable surgeon will explain the different options, and the best choice will be apparent.

	I have added links to a blog article on tummy tucks and the video below.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  It is not possible to give you good advice without viewing pictures or in-person physical examination. 
The “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable, has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her, is capable of arranging enough recovery time, does not smoke and who has reached a long-term stable weight.
Of course, this operation is associated with a longer abdominal wall scar and a significant recovery time; on the upside, the aesthetic outcome is much more likely to be to your liking.
In my opinion, the mini tummy tuck 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 of skin excised is quite small. The abdominal wall musculature is addressed below the umbilicus leaving the upper number wall potentially lax. The appearance of the umbilicus is not necessarily addressed sufficiently.
For most patients who have had pregnancies and/or weight loss a full abdominoplasty is necessary to achieve the desired results. Of course, there are downsides (including a longer scar and probably a longer recovery time) but for most patients the benefits outweigh the downsides.  
I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS · Answer

A tummy tuck is a safe and effective procedure that can create a more contoured abdomen, a tight waist and a beautiful figure.

	In our Miami practice, we feel that as all patients are unique, so is every tummy tuck.
	Some of our patients receive a mini tummy tuck, some receive a full tummy tuck, while others receive a combination of both procedures. During the initial consultation, we spent a great deal of time talking to the patients to understand what their concerns are, to learn their aesthetic goals, so that in this way we can create a surgical plan that will help the patient meet their aesthetic ideal. If a woman has extra skin and extra fat but the muscles are in good condition, we may be able to perform a mini tummy tuck. If the woman also needs a muscle repair, a full or a regular tummy tuck may be necessary.
	Your best bet is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon that has a great deal of experience in tummy tucks, liposuction, body contouring surgery. Such a specialist will be able to understand your goals and combined this with a thorough physical evaluation to present and operative plan that will help you meet your aesthetic ideal.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

It is impossible to give you a recommendation without a physicial exam.  However, if you've had multiple pregnancies including twins, I would guess that you will need a full tummy tuck.

	After multiple pregnancies including twins, I would most likely recommend a full abdominplasty +/- liposuction of the waist. A tummy tuck (also called abdominoplasty) is a very popular cosmetic surgery procedure. A tummy tuck can be an effective tool for shaping and sculpting the body for better body appearance and improved self esteem.

	Sometimes no amount of diet and exercise can create a flat tummy. Tummy tuck plastic surgery actually tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess fat and skin from the stomach area to create a tighter, slimmer, smoother belly. A tummy tuck can be combined with other procedures such as liposuction of your waists or flanks (i.e. love handles) to fine tune your result

	Patients choose abdominoplasty cosmetic surgery for a number of reasons, including:

	Excess abdominal skin following weight loss; Weight gain (beer belly or spare tire) from a sedentary lifestyle; Abdominal fat that is resistant to diet and exercise; Stretched stomach muscles from pregnancy; Desire for a thinner profile; Desire to look younger and fitter; Desire to fit into clothes better

	I recommend you visit with an ASPS member plastic surgeon to further explore your options and to find out if you are a candidate for this procedure

Mini or Full Tummy Tuck After Twins

Answers (16)