skin removal during mini-tummy tuck vs. standard tummy tuck?

Hello! Thank you for your question! I hope that these answers help!
Tummy tuck is an excellent method for shaping the belly and create a
flatter and sculpted abdomen after the procedure. Given your desires, I do believe that you would be an excellent candidate for this
procedure in order to remove the excess skin/soft tissue of your lower
abdomen and contour the areas of your belly. Also, abdominal wall
tightening may optimize your result. Stretch marks to the level of your
umbilicus will also be excised. Also, a continued healthy and active
lifestyle prior to the procedure and afterwards is recommended in order to maintain the benefits that the
procedure has given to you. Once you are ready for the
procedure, I would likely recommend a full tummy tuck with abdominal
wall tightening. This would remove the excess skin/soft tissue
and stretch marks while contouring your belly. The mini tummy tuck has
limited usefulness and limited candidates as it truly only addresses
excess skin in a small area above your pubis. It will not address your
abdominal wall and the tightening of such, frequently needed to achieve a shapely abdominal wall. While the recovery
time
is shorter, the benefits afforded to you by a full tummy tuck are much
greater and will optimize your result. You should consult with a
board-certified plastic surgeon well-versed in body contouring
procedures at anytime to go over options to assist you in deciding
which procedure(s) would be right for you. Best wishes!

When it comes to a mini tummy tuck versus a full tummy tuck, the main difference is the amount of skin and tissue that is removed. A mini tummy tuck typically targets the lower part of the abdomen and is intended for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity or a small amount of excess skin. A full tummy tuck, on the other hand, addresses both the upper and lower abdomen and is recommended for patients with significant skin laxity and excess skin.

It's important to note that while a mini tummy tuck can remove skin, it may not remove as much skin as a full tummy tuck. Additionally, a mini tummy tuck typically does not address the abdominal muscles, whereas a full tummy tuck can tighten the muscles in addition to removing excess skin.

Ultimately, the best approach for your individual needs will depend on your unique anatomy and cosmetic goals. I recommend scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Thank you for your question, and I wish you the best of luck in your cosmetic journey.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

A mini tummy tuck can be performed after liposuction, however the procedure is best suited for those who cannot reduce the bulging beneath their navels or who have stretched, lax skin. Please see an experienced board certified plastic surgeon to confirm suitability.A full tummy tuck works to address the presence of wrinkly or loose skin with stretch marks, excess fatty tissue and rectus muscle diastasis (separation of the anterior abdominal muscles) below and above the navel. Therefore, to determine the most suitable option for you, please see an experienced board certified plastic surgeon for an assessment. Best of luck!

Deciding which tummy tuck would be appropriate for you will be determined at your detailed, individualized consultation by your surgeon. While a mini tummy tuck seems ideal, it may not accomplish your aesthetic goals.  In general, a mini tummy tuck removes a small amount of skin from the lower abdomen. This will tighten the lower abdominal skin only. Mini tummy tucks are typically reserved for patients with excellent muscle tone, no diastasis and minimal to no redundant skin above the belly button. Modified tummy tuck tighten (plicate) the abdominal muscle from the belly button down to the pubic bone and remove a portion of the redundant lower abdominal skin.

Liposuction may also be combined to further contour the abdomen and flanks/love handles. Modified tummy tuck procedures will not typically address the excess skin above the belly button, nor will the muscle bulge above the belly button be addressed. Full tummy tucks typically repair /plicate the muscle from the rib cage down to the pubic bone. The excess skin from the belly button down to the pubic bone is removed (to varying degrees). Full tummy tucks are typical for many women after pregnancy and men/women after extreme weight loss. good luck with your decision. Dr Renucci

For a mini-tummy tuck, a small ellipse of tissue is removed from the lower abdomen below the umbilicus. The incision is usually a little bit longer that a C-section scar but can be extended to get more skin. This is a procedure that is limited to women with excess skin only below the umbilicus. A full tummy tuck removes all the skin from the lower abdomen all the way up to the level of the umbilicus. The umbilicus is cut out and the upper abdominal skin is contoured and re-draped. Thus, this surgery effectively treats both the upper and lower abdomen. This scar usually runs  from hip to hip.

if your issue is extra skin, then do a full tummy tuck.  a mini tt gives mini skin excision

I do very few mini tummy tucks, and the reason is in the title of my answer. If you are a true candidate for a tummy tuck, doing less than a full, complete tummy tuck incision, muscle tightening, and umbilical transposition will almost always fall short of the patient's expectations, unless they really didn't need a tummy tuck in the first place! Sometimes a doctor tries to "sell" a patient what they "want" rather than be honest and tell them what they need for the best result. Guess who gets the prospective patient's business, and then try to guess why us "real" plastic surgeons are here answering questions on RealSelf from unhappy patients!

Less skin removal equals less of a result, and often the "mini" removal stretches and distorts the belly button and can still leave lateral dog ears (because the surgeon is trying hard to leave the scar short(er) than a "standard" tummy tuck scar, which is longer for a reason--it is NEEDED to remove the full amount of loose skin, expose the abdominal wall so that proper muscle plication can be performed, and a vertical scar avoided (the "old" belly button location should be completely removed, not left as a vertical scar).

If you want or need skin removal to be as complete and thorough as possible, you already know you need a full tummy tuck! Also, it generally costs less to do the correct operation rather than "hoping" a lesser one will do the job and having to take time off work as well as pay for a second operation!

A tummy tuck does 3 things that you can't accomplish with diet and exercise alone: it pulls together muscles that may be separated from prior pregnancy, removes any localized fat accumulations, and tightens skin. With a full tummy tuck, a football-shaped area of skin from the belly button the the pubic area is removed, and the skin of the upper abdomen is freed up so it can be stretched down to the pubic area. This leaves a low "bikini line" scar from hip to hip. Because the skin is pulled over the belly button a hole is made to bring it out so there is also a small scar around the belly button. With a mini abdominoplasty, a smaller area of skin is removed, and only skin below the belly button is moved. This means no skin tightening in the upper abdomen with a mini. Both procedures allow for fat removal and muscle tightening.

A standard tummy tuck will remove skin from approximately the level of the belly button down to the hip area. A min tuck will be less than that as skin removal begins below the belly button. A standard tuck can include full repair of abdominal wall separation. A mini tuck can only address the area below the belly button. I've included a video that I hope you find helpful.

Before deciding which procedure is best you need to understand that a tummy tuck does three different things to improve your appearance:1.  It removes extra skin and some off the stretch marks that are present with the skin (especially in the lower abdomen) -- a full tummy tuck addresses this better than a mini tummy tuck2.  It removes fat -- you can remove the same amount of fat with either procedure.3.  Rectus Separation (Diastasis) -- This is important because there can be muscle separation above the belly button up to the level of your breasts and there can be muscle separation below the belly button down towards your pubic area.  In many cases there is both, and this alone is an indication for a full tummy tuck.4.  A final note -- many patients are under the illusion that having a mini tummy tuck means a limited scar.  Often times the scar will be near as long as if you had a full tummy tuck.