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Is a Mini Tummy Tuck Necessary or Will Liposuction Do?

I had a baby via c-section 5 months ago, I am debating whether I need a Mini Tummy Tuck of will Liposuction just do it?

Asked 25 months ago by Nicky89 in MIAMI
Sort 16 expert answers by:
+2

Mini tummy tuck vs. full tummy tuck vs liposuction

Because you have very loose skin, fascia, and excess fat in the lower and upper abdomen, only a full tummy tuck will give you a good result.  Anything else will be a waste of your money and recovery time.
Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+3

Liposuction laterally plus Tummy Tuck

The hanging "apron" optimally should be removed with a tummy tuck. Due to its size, a mini will not suffice. The C section scar resection alone wil not be enough to define your abdomen and remove the apron of tissue. The scar will need to be enlarged significantly. Liposuction alone, laterally, will help sculpt you a more hourglass figure but you would be out of balance centrally. Liposuction alone in the lower area will still leave you hanging. Liposuction alone to the upper... more
Keith Denkler, MD
Marin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck candidate

Based on the picture you provided, you seem like an ideal candidate for a full (standard) tummy tuck rather than a mini tummy tuck or liposuction alone. I recommend you lose as much post-baby weight as possible prior to proceeding with surgery to ensure the best and safest result. Once you reach your ideal goal weight, consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss what would be best for you. A full tummy tuck involves repair and tightening of the rectus muscles which have... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Need full tummy tuck.

Hi. Unfortunately, neither liposuction nor mini tummy tuck will help you. You have a major problem in your stomach, and you need a full tummy tuck.
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Only Full Tummy Tuck with rectus repair will help you

From your photo ONLY a FULL TUMMY TUCK with Rectus repair will do. Do not waste time and $'s on a mini Tummy Tuck. I wonder who suggested that to you? Regards.
Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full abdominoplasty (Tummy tuck) is the best solution for looses skin, stretch marks and lax muscles

This answer is easy. No, neither will help and both are a waste of your money. Your best option to achieve an improved appearance is a full abdominoplasty. This is not without risk and you should meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction vs Tummy tuck

You have quite a bit of excess skin that will remain or get worse with liposuction. If that is acceptable (as it is to some) then you can go with the lipo. If not, you really need a full tummy tuck. You really need to see pictures of what liposuction looks like in patients with excess skin to appreciate the difference.
John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full Tummy Tuck best for big tummy with stretch marks and loose skin

From your photo, a full tummy tuck is by far your best option. Do not waste your money on liposuction alone. You will be disappointed. 
David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction, mini-tummy tuck, or full tummy tuck

Although it would be possible to do either liposuction alone or with a mini-tummy tuck on you and get some significant reduction of the total fat content of the abdomen, the trade-offs would be generally unacceptable. You would have significant excess skin, particularly of the upper abdomen, which will not shrink. With your abdomen, I would have given you no choice other than a full tummy tuck, unless you specifically wanted to know about the other choices.
Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Wait six months post-partum and get a full tummy tuck

You've got what appears to be a weakened abdominal wall and loose, inelastic skin above and below your belly-button. A full tummy tuck is the recommendation you'll get from any board-certified plastic surgeon that you encounter. Please don't waste your time/money/health with liposuction that promises to 'tighten skin' -- it just won't happen in your case.
Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full Tummy Tuck

Certainly, liposuction alone is out of the question and I think that you have too much loose skin to have a mini-tummy tuck. I think you need to go all the way to get a great result and that is a full tummy tuck.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck or lipo - Neither will do for you

From your history and photo you absolutely require a full tummy tuck. Anything short of that will be the wrong choice. Only a non-plastic surgeon who doesn't know what they are doing would offer you a choice of a mini tummy tuck or liposuction. The reason is that you have muscle laxity and skin excess above the umbilicus and poor skin elasticity. So mini's and lipo are out of the equation of options for you.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck or Lipo

Dear Nicky I would love to tell you that either one would work but judging from the one picture I have and understanding that this is no substitute for a plastic surgery consultation, neither one will work. Looking at the amount of skin and fat you have in the abdomen to me indicates you will probably need a full tummy tuck. If the abdominal fullness is do to fat over the muscle and not deep fat then liposuction will thin the tissues and decrease the fullness without removing the excess... more
Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck vs Lipo

What you need is a full tummy tuck. Liposuction will not suffice, neither will a mini tummy tuck. You have loose skin as well as stretch marks which need to be excised and removed. You can have a mini but you will have a suboptimal result. A full tummy tuck will pretty much remove all the skin below the belly button as well as help with the bulge that remains secondary to the pregnancy. Good luck.
Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck versus Liposuction

Hi Nicky, I think you'll actually benefit most from a full tummy tuck, based upon your photo. This will give you a flat abdomen and will remove the stretch marks below your umbilicus. The scar can usually be placed in the same location as your C-section scar, but of course will need to be longer. I would suggest waiting just a few more months to allow your body to recover from your pregnancy a little more; I generally tell patients to wait 6-12 months prior to a tummy tuck after they have... more
Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

More than a mini tummy tuck is needed

Hi Nicki Surgeons like to throw in the word mini because it makes every thing that follows sound better. However, you need real help here. I think you would be so much better off dealing with a surgeon who will be honest with you and tell you that you need an honest to goodness tummy tuck. Many women do not need such extensive surgery and probably only need liposuction. You are not one of them. One reason for even trying liposuction is that it avoids a scar low on the abdomen. However, you... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
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