Mini Tummy Tuck with Liposuction Better Than Tummy Tuck Alone?

Exposure to the upper abdoman, which you would need in order to address the laxity of the abdominal wall muscles after multiple childbirth. Basically, the mini tuck removs less skin, focusing on the lower abdoman. In combination with liposuction above the navel, a very nice result can be achieve. If the muscles need to be repaired, the belly button can be detached at its deeper atrtachement so that the rectus muscles can be tightened all along the abdoman. This would... more

Based on the information you provided, it is difficult to determine whether you are a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck with liposuction. A photo would be helpful to diagnose your issues and concerns. Many women who have experienced pregnancy, especially with twins, would benefit significantly from a full (standard) tummy tuck.  It is important that you understand the difference between the 2 procedures. A full tummy tuck involves repair of the rectus muscles which have been... more

The type of tummy tuck really depends on your individual anatomy, but in general if you have had multiple pregnancies, the muscles of your abdominal wall have stretched and loosened, and should be tightened during your procedure. You surgeon needs to evaluate your skin, fat, and abdominal wall muscles, and then design the procedure that will work the best for you. This may very well be just a mini-tuck with liposuction, but my guess is that your muscles need to be addressed as well... more

Most women who have had multiple kids are usually not great candidates for a mini-tummy tuck and liposuction. Often they have a diastasis( weakness) of the midline muscles that need to be treated from top to bottom. A mini will not give you exposure for the upper abdomen. Floating the belly button usually does not look great. They often look too low.

First, I don't like the "float' part. I have seen this and the umbilicus is very low and doesn't look good. Next, a mini tummu tuck is designed to correct abdominal wall weakness only between the pubis and umbilicus. The incision is usually similar to a full tt. For the record, a mini-tummy tuck + lipo + modified tummy tuck. Based on your description, especially with large twins, I can't imagine that your muscle layer DOESN'T need repair above the umbilicus. Without the repair,... more

Mumoffour: The fact that your plastic surgeon has evaluated you means his or her suggestion is probably right. In general, your history of 3 pregnancies and twins suggests that you need a procedure that: tightens lax abdominal wall / muscle support; removes loose skin, particularly from the lower abdomen, and addresses any excess subcutaneous fat in the remainder of the abdomen. If you need all three and the operation your surgeon plans helps all three, you're set. A... more

Allow me to join the chorus of my colleagues expressing extreme skepticism and urging caution. We RARELY IF EVER see a woman who delivered 4 children and especially twins whose rectus abdominal muscles have not been splayed sideways as a result. I have never seen such a woman among the thousands I have examined. If you undergo a mini tummy tuck without full correction of the muscle separation / diastasis the outcome will AT BEST be average but would commonly be below average and... more

It is very unlikely that any thing but a full abdominalplasty will give someone like you who has had three children and weights l45 pounds, a good result. I would encourage you to find a plastic surgeon who combines that with liposuction of the abdomen and fixation of the superficial fascia to the deep muscular fascia. This will minimize the discomfort, speed up your recovery and do away with the need for a drain. This is a newer procedure which I have been doing with much better,... more

A full abdominoplasty will usually lead to a better result than a mini.  There are more risks and down time with the full procedure.  Many of my patients choose the mini, however, and are very pleased with results.  The pros and cons of each should be discussed with your plastic surgeon.

Of course only your plastic surgeon has examined you and so he/she is in the best position to make a recommendation. When there isn't much skin laxity above the bellybutton, then a full abdominoplasty isn't often possible without having the scar too high. So the option of a mini, with repositioning the bellybutton about an inch lower, is often a good option in tha situation. When the lipo is done the skin will be looser, so the idea is to take up that laxity by moving the umbi down. It's a... more

The mini with floating belly button and upper abdominal lipo should be considered with caution. Certainly if you are the ideal candidate for that procedure, go for it. BUT, some patients who do that procedure as a compromise to longer scars end up with a less than ideal result,i.e. they still have excess skin and they have an abnormally low belly button. I would suggest getting another opinion to see what another examining plastic surgeon thinks.

Most of the patients I see would truly benefit more from a full tummy tuck than a mini. However, there are a few individuals who are excellent candidates for the mini or hybrid/marriage abdominoplasty. Lack of suprumbilical cutaneous laxity is one good indication. Therefore this may be an excellent option for you.