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Should I Get a Mini Tummy Tuck or a Full? is There Any Non Surgical Options for Me? (photo)

asked 3 months ago by mommyoflove28 in Simi Valley, CA
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 303 times
Tags: after pregnancy, alternative, non surgical, recommendation

So I had a baby 3 years ago and this completely ruined my stomach. I am 21 years old, I exercise regularly and have been trying EVERYTHING to get rid of this. Before pregnancy I was 115 lbs, I ended up weighing 180 lbs the day before delivery. Finally down to 133 lbs I am about ready to be able to wear a bikini. Is there any other options then surgery for me? I plan on having this done by june so please let me know soon!

18 answers to Should I Get a Mini Tummy Tuck or a Full? is There Any Non Surgical Options for Me? (photo)

Tummy tuck is essential after massive weight loss

A 47 lbs weighht loss results in hanging skin. Only a FULL abdominoplasty would be able to correct this. However, if you are planning additional pregnancies, the same thing may happen to you again. Your weight may shoot up after pregnancy before it will drop and you will have hanging skin. If you are planning no further children now is a good time for an abdominoplasty. At the same time, you can undergo a sterilization procedure if desired. Your other... more

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Should I Get a Mini Tummy Tuck or a Full? is There Any Non Surgical Options for Me? (photo)

You could have either as seen on the posted photos, Thanks!. But in my guess I would opt for Full Tummy Tuck. Best to be seen in person by a boarded PSs in your area. BTW "forget" the non surgery!

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Mini tummy tuck or full tummy tuck?

You have skin laxity both above and below your belly button. If it was only below, then a lower or "mini" tummy tuck would be sufficient. The only way to tighten skin above the belly button is to release the belly button attachment to the surrounding skin so you can pull that upper skin down and get it tight. This is a full tummy tuck. There are NO non-surgical options to effectively tighten your skin. Make sure to see a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed... more

Robert M. Grenley, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Do full tummy tuck

I would reccomend you do a full tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck will address better the excess skin and laxity above the umbilicus and repair any muscle weakness. Good luck.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Based on your photos, I would highly recommend a full tummy tuck. A mini tuck would not address all of your issues - excess skin, diastasis, contour irregularities of yoru abdomen wall, etc. Only a full tummy tuck can address all these issues. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Full vs mini tummy tuck

Without an examination I am unable to provide a definite answer, but based on your photographs the best option for you would be a full tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty). A "mini" tummy tuck most likely won't remove enough loose skin to provide an acceptable result and liposuction will only address some excess fat, not the excess/damaged skin and the muscle looseness (diastasis). I also do not believe that any of the available non-surgical methods would be... more

Eric T. Emerson, MD
Charlotte Plastic Surgeon

www.seplasticsurgery.com

Mini- VS Full Tummy Tuck

If you are done having children the only operation which will restore you to your before baby figure is a well performed Full Tummy Tuck. If you look carefully you demonstrate excess skin above the belly button which makes the Mini Tummy Tuck a waste of time. A Full Tummy Tuck will remove ALL excess skin including all the stretch mark damaged skin below the belly button, take in all tummy muscle looseness, narrow the waist to achieve a pleasing hourglass figure and lift a sagging Mons... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Abdominal contour after childbirth

Thanks for your question! Based on your photo you have typical abdominal wall and skin changes post-pregnancy. You may have a separation of your abdominal wall muscles, have stretch marks above and below the umbilicus and you have some adiposity around the belly button. Typically this combination is best treated with a full abdominoplasty and muscle plication. Be sure to find a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss these issues in depth as well as discuss potential... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Results of mini tummy tuck are very often disappointing.

Hi. My advice is either do nothing, or have a full tummy tuck. Nothing else will help. You have loose skin also above the belly button, and a mini doesn't touch this. see video

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Mini or full tummy tuck

You are an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck. Your abdomen did not recover from the large weight gain and loss resulting from pregnancy. From the photos, it appears that you will need a full abdominoplasty. There are no non-surgical procedures which would be of benefit in your situation.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Mini or Full Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for the question and pictures. I think that, at some point, you will be an excellent candidate for tummy tuck surgery. You have done a nice job with your weight; if I were to see you in consultation I would ask about your plans for future pregnancy. Ideally, you will be able to wait to have a tummy tuck done after you have completed pregnancies. The tummy tuck operation will serve to remove a significant amount (but not all) of stretch marks present,... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Tummy contouring

Based on your photos, you would likely benefit the most from a full tummy tuck. It appears that you have excess skin and laxity above your belly button. But a full abdominal exam is needed to give any recommendations. 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... more

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

Nothing replaces a full tummy tuck except a full tummy tuck

Thank you for your question and the photos. The current nonsurgical options out there are probably not going to get you the result you are looking for. A full tummy tuck would probably work the best but I recommend you wait until you are done having children. If you want it sooner, then you can have a tummy tuck without the muscle tightening portion and save that for a later time. To be sure, see at least two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a full and complete... more

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Short-cuts in Plastic Surgery NEVER pay off. Tummy Tuck is your best bet

Hi there- An artfully performed Tummy Tuck is an excellent option for you. Be aware that: Short-cuts never pay off. Not only would any sort of a "mini-tummy tuck" not give you a similarly positive outcome, it would leave you with a funny appearance that would be very difficult to correct later- at any expense. You would therefore be better off doing nothing at all until and unless you are prepared to have the procedure that would safely and effectively... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Tummy tuck at 21

The first question you have to ask yourself is whether you will have any more children. If you aer convinced that your family is big enough, then the full tummy tuck is the right procedure for you. Nonsurgical skin tightening is not going to turn things around. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Two options: 1)Do nothing 2) Full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

Mini tummy tucks are rarely indicated. After pregnancy, the abdomen from the sternum to to the pubis is afflicted by laxity. Only an abdominoplasty will fix all the problems. Non surgical skin "tightening" will not work.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Full vs Mini Tummy Tuck

I find most patients who are interested in a tummy tuck need a full tummy tuck rather than a mini. Most patients have some laxity of the skin above the belly button, which you have. The other reason is laxity of the muscle layer which is tightened as part of the procedure. There are no nonsurgical procedures which would give you any benefit at all. Consult with a couple of plastic surgeons in your area and choose the one with whom you are most comfortable. Thank you for your... more

Ralph R. Garramone, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Do nothing or Full tummy tuck

Either do nothing or go for a full tummy tuck. Unfortunately, there are no "non-surgical" options in getting rid of loose skin after pregnancy or massive weight loss. Looks like you have enough skin above your belly button to replace the skin that will be removed below. Definitely ask your surgeon to draw where the incision will be during your consultation.