Mini Tummy Tuck or Full Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by wutgal
Latest answer by Jana K. Rasmussen, MD
Question viewed 796 times
Tags: age 18-24, stretch marks, female, 110-129 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, comparison, loose skin

I had a child 3 years ago & am now 22 years old. Im still considered a thin person but i have a little bit of loose skin & stretchmarks below my bellybutton. I also have a couple stretchmarks stemming from what was once a bellybutton ring scar. My problem areas r my bellybutton & my stretchmarks. I am wondering what surgery would be best for me; I am 5'5, 124 lbs. Would a mini tuck suffice? I was also wondering if there is a surgery focusing solely on repairing the bellybutton & marks above it?

10 answers to Mini Tummy Tuck or Full Tummy Tuck?

VIDEO (click below) When you are in between a mini and a full tummy tuck: the midi or marriage.

A mini will not treat your upper abdominal skin. You may want to consider something in between a full and a mini. To understand this view the video below. The decision on which is best depends on your skin, fat, & muscle status. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Choosing the right kind of tummy tuck

An experienced body contouring surgeon can offer more choices than simply choosing between a mini and a full tummy tuck. Every patient has a somewhat unique problem that would require a specifically designed tummy tuck just for them. A number of factors need to be assessed; the skin, the muscle layer, the fatty layer, the belly button, the bony skeleton, etc. From the photograph it appears that you could benefit from a modified tummy tuck that could be done through a relatively small... more

Boris M. Ackerman, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Mini TT versus Standard Tummy Tuck

Based on your information and photo, it appears most of your "problems" are below the belly button. A mini tummy tuck permits improvement of skin and muscle laxity below the belly button. It will not remove the stretch marks around the belly button. To address some of your complaints of the belly button area, an "umbilicoplasty" (plastic surgical enhancement of the belly button area) could also be done at the same time to revise the scarring... more

Jana K. Rasmussen, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Mini tummy tuck

Although your forn view photos looks pretty good, I really would have to examine you to be sure what could be offered. If you don ot like the lax skin above your belly button then only a full tummy tuck will correct that.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Bellybutton Correction

After seeing your abdominal photo, I see the laxity of your upper umbilical skin, scarring and some stretch marks of your lower abdomen and around your umbilicus. You could start with an umbilicalplasty procedure, under local anesthesia, that will directly remove the lax skin and the old bellybutton scar producing a more youthful appearance. For additional improvement, limited liposuction of your abdomen will add contour. You are 22 years old and may eventually... more

Richard Wellington Swift, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Mini vs Full tummy tuck

When you get stretch marks they are permanent.The description you give leads me to believe all you may need is a mini with a small incision across your lower abdomen.Also the doctor may want to tighten your abdominal muscles.The stretch marks around the belly button are yours.If you really had a lot of loose skin it might be possible to do a full tummy tuck and remove them.

Robert Brueck, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Mini & Full Tummy Tuck Both Have Advantages/Disadvantages

It appears from your photo that you would get a nice result from a mini-TT. Your umbilicus appears relatively high and you do not seem to have a lot of excess skin. This would result in either a higher transverse scar or a vertical scar in addition to the transverse scar. The advantages of a mini-TT are the cost and the downtime primarily.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Mini Tummy Tuck or Full Tummy Tuck

Dr Tong has expertly explained the options. My choice is a mini tummy tuck with Smart Lipo MPX of central and upper abdomen. Fee range from $5,000 to $7,000. From MIAMI DR. Darryl J. Blinski 305 598 0091

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Mini vs Full Tummy Tuck for your situation

Dear wutgal A mini tummy tuck does three main things liposuction of the entire abdomen tightening the muscles below the level of the navel (limited) tightening of the skin below the navel (with shorter incision) A full tummy tuck is different in the following ways tightening of the muscles along the entire length of the abdomen more significant removal of skin (but with longer incision) incision around the edge of navel tightening... more

Lawrence Tong, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Full or Mini Tummy Tuck

Based on your photo you have some stretch marks an probably some weakness of the abdominal wall but I would not recommend a tummy tuck for you. A full would address stretch marks above the belly but and you are not a candidate for that procedure. Dr. ES