Mommy Makeover: Q&A

Ask a Question

Mini-Tummy Tuck, Full Tummy Tuck, Smart Lipo?

i'm considering having a "mommy makeover" and have read about a mini-tummy tuck, traditional tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and now had a friend tell me about Smart Lipo. i have lost about 25lbs through diet and exercise after my two children (i'm 25 yrs old) and i don't know what would be better for me (if i plan to have children in 5-6 years from now. i dont know if id be an ideal candidate for a mini TT or full TT or even smart lipo? what would be most recommended for me?

Tags:

candidate technique

Comment on this

23 Doctor Answers | Asked by xtine67 in panorama city, CA

Doctor Answers (23)
Community Comments (0)

Mini Tummy Tuck and Smart Lipo

A mini tummy tuck produces mini results. If you can be happy with a mini improvement then possibly you can consider it. You appear to be a candidate for a full tummy tuck or better yet wait until after all kids. REMEMBER : it is not the technology that is a factor but it is the surgeon. 90% of all the worlds liposuction is done with small cannula tumescent, period! A good surgeon does not need any high tech additives. Of course the... more

Tummy tuck vs min-tummy tuck vs smart liposuction

Smart liposuction only removes excess abdominal fat but it does adequately tighten abdominal skin, and does not remove stretch marks. therefore, you might be better served by undergoing a tummy tuck. the difference between a tummy tuck and a mini-tummy tuck is that a mini-tuck does not tighten the abdominal muscles. Considering that you live in Los Angels you can cosult one of the many qualified board certified plastic surgeons in los angeles.

Mommy Makeover

You should see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area, and they will evaluate your muscle, skin, and fat and then give a recommendation on what is best for you.

Candidate for full tummy tuck

Based on the photos you provided, you appear to be an 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, excess skin in the abdominal region. A mini tummy tuck would only involve improvement of the abdominal area below the belly button area. Smart lipo may result in loose unattractive skin. Remember, plastic surgery is not permanent and results may be affected by factors, such as pregnancy, weight... more

Mommy makeover modification if you are going to have more children.

Hi. 1) I would not do any kind of tummy tuck if you are going to have more children. 2) Very few plastic surgeons use SmartLipo. I think it is just marketing. But tumescent deep and superficial liposuction of your stomach will make you look better safely, going by your pictures.

Mini-tummy tuck vs Full Tummy Tuck vs Smart Lipo-which one is best?

Thank you for the photos. The answer to your question is: it depends on what you want to achieve with the surgery. If you want to have a tight, nice abdomen like a 17 year old teenager, then full abdominoplasty will give you the best chance of obtaining such a result. If your concern is the looseness of your skin below your belly button (which is seen on your side photo), then a mini-tummy tuck will tighten the skin below your belly button. Liposuction (traditional or with laser)... more

Tummy Tuck Best After Childbearing

From your photos, it appears that you would have the best result with a full tummy tuck. You have extensive stretch marks and loose skin above and below the belly button with some excess fat. A full tummy tuck will treat both the excess fat and the loose skin - removing most of your stretch marks! In addition, your abdominal muscles can be tightened, if needed. Additional liposuction around the sides and waist may also be helpful. However, since you plan... more

Full tummy tuck for best results

Based on your photos, I would recommend a full tummy tuck with liposuction of lovehandles for best contour and result. No role for smartlipo in your case. Meet with a few plastic surgeons until you find one you are comfortable with. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno

Abdominoplasty vs "Smart" lipo

Don't do anything until you are done with childbearing. You will just get stretched out again. That being said, from your history and photos, nothing short of a full abdominoplasty will get you the result you are likely looking for. Beware of docs saying any sort of lipo will acheive what an abdominoplasty can. They are likely non-surgeons who do not know how to do an abominoplasty but have a very expensive laser that comes with a lot of unrealistic promises... more

Mini Tummy tuck, tummy tuck, Smart Lipo

After children and weight loss, you usually end up with excess skin as well as separation of your abdominal muscles. Smart Lipo,Vaser ultrasonic liposuction and even traditional liposuction would just remove the excess fatty tissue that still may be there with little tightening of your skin. Once you have excess skin, then, unfortunately, the only way is to surgically remove it. This could be with a mini tummy tuck which would not move the belly button and not help with the excess skin above... more

Abdominal Contouring post pregnancy

My ideal result for you will be achieved with a full tummy tuck and flank lipo. I think this would give you a youthful abdominal contour and a great result. My only concern is the fact that you still desire children. It may be best to wait until your final pregnancy to undergo this procedure. The result will most likely be stretched by further pregnancy, which may lead you to desire a revision tummy tuck.

A full tummy tuck, mini-tummy tuck or liposuction?

Your photos are helpful but don't capture the entire essence of your situation. A physical examination would be needed to make an accurate recommendation for you. However, it appears that you do have laxity of the skin of your abdomen, particularly in the lower portion. Liposuction does not address this issue - a mini-tummy tuck and full tummy tuck would. Which one would be the better choice for you could be better clarified with an examination. My recommendation would be for... more

Smart-lipo, mini-tummy tuck, or full tummy-tuck: which is best?

Thank you for posting photos--very helpful. So which is best: laser-assisted liposuction, mini-tummy tuck, or full tummy tuck? The marketing hype for laser-assisted liposuction (such as Smartlipo) far exceeds the actual results. I do use laser-assisted liposuction in my practice, but I would never offer it as a true alternative to a tummy tuck, if a tummy tuck is what the patient needs. First, it is ideal to wait until you're done having children to have a tummy... more

Carmen Kavali, MD

11 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck usually the best choice after weight loss and pregnancy

While no one can comment specifically without seeing you personally, with a history of 2 pregancies and a 25 lb weight loss, it is very unlikely that liposuction will give a satisfactory result because the skin will have stretched and lost elasticity. This is true for all forms of lipo even though the laser lipo can tighten skin to a small degree. No form of lipo tightens skin enough to make it an alternative to a tummy tuck. Your situation is a bit more complicated with the possibility of... more

Tummy tuck is ideal for skin laxity

Smart lipo- or any type of liposuction, is not going to fix your problem. Decide if you want to have children in the future- if you do, consider holding off on abdominoplasty surgery. If you'd like to do the procedure now - I would recommend a full tummy tuck and flank liposuction for the best result.

Tummy tuck or liposuction

Based on the photos and the fact you plan to have children in a few years, I would think liposuction would be the better option for you. It will decrease the excess subcutaneous tissue but you may still have some skin laxity compared to a tummy tuck. The best option is to visit a plastic surgeon to get a full evaluation.

Lipo or Tummy Tuck

Thanks for posting your pictures - it makes it very helpful for other patients and helps us give you more specific advice. You look like you could go either way. With liposuction, you have the chance of having loose skin. Additionally, the liposuction will not help your stretch marks. With tummy tuck, the extra skin and fat will be removed and the underlying muscles contoured and tightened. While you would need a full examination and evaluation in person to know... more

Mommy makeover - abdominoplasty

The photos you posted are deceiving because you are not at either end of the clinical spectrum. If you were at the far end with hanging bulge of skin the answer would easy. I have performed mini-tummy tucks but have just not been happy with them. I do not think the small amount of skin you remove justifies the scar. That is just my opinion though. Getting back to your photos you can see that the belly button is not clearly visible, there is left right asymmetry with a small bulge of skin... more

Tummy tuck

After that much weight loss and two children, most probably you will need a full tummy tuck. Only after complete exam and determining the quality of skin elasticity, the condition of the muscle of the abdomen could we detremine which procedure is best for you.

Mini-tummy tuck, full tummy tuck, or Smartlipo

Whether you are a candidate for a fully tummy tuck or mini-tummy tuck and/or SmartLipo depends on your specific anatomy. This would be best evaluated during a consultation with examination.

Abdominal contouring options

What is recommended is based on what your anatomy is (requiring an examination), what you desire as an end result, and what risks or side effects you are willing to accept or want to avoid or minimize. It is not always easy and simple to decide and may require a number of visits to clarify and prioritize the different variables. I would not look to Smartlipo or any specific machine for your answer. Just focus on your anatomy and your goals.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Depends on what you're looking for

Some patients come in and are "in between" candidates as far as their tummies go. i agree that it is definitely difficult with pictures alone to come to a conclusion about these things, but your upper abdomen seems to be in pretty good shape. that means that you're probably either a candidate for a mini or lipo alone. if you are seriously considering having more children in the future, lipo alone may make the most sense, with a mini tummy tuck after you're... more