Mini Tummy Tuck Q&A
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skin removal during mini-tummy tuck vs. standard tummy tuck?

asked 10 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 390 times
Tags: sagging, comparison, loose skin, removal, skin, surgery

What differences would I find between a mini tummy tuck versus a total tummy tuck? Would a Mini Tummy Tuck Remove That Skin Completely?

16 answers to skin removal during mini-tummy tuck vs. standard tummy tuck?

+4

Full vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

Mini tummy tucks are performed on individuals who have fairly tight muscle with smooth upper abdominal skin but have loose skin below the naval. A shorter incision is made just above the pubis and a horizontal ellipse of skin is removed below the naval. All tissues above and including the naval are left in place. Patients with stretched muscle and loose skin above the naval will require a full tummy tuck.
Marc Malek, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+4

Mini versus Full tummy tuck

Hello, The biggest difference between mini TT and full TT is how the belly button is managed. In a full tummy tuck the beklly button is usually circumscribed (cut around) and brough back through the new skin that has been pulled down. A mini tummy tuck usually leaves the belly button alone or cuts the stalk and lets the belly button "float" downward with the skin that is pulled down during closure. How much skin is removed with either is variable as is the... more
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+3

Mini vs Full Tummy Tuck

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... more
Robert Heck, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+3

Usually full tummy tuck is recommended over a mini-tummy tuck

Whenever a woman has enough loose skin on her abdomen that she wants it to be removed, a full tummy tuck is the recommended procedure. It is unusual for someone to need only a mini-tummy tuck. The most common case for a mini tummy tuck would be following a full tummy tuck where there may still be some loose skin in the lower abdomen that needs a minor tightening.
James Tang, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck

Usually a mini tummy tuck involves some form of liposuction, tightening muscles in the lower abdomen and some skin excision. I prefer a full tummy tuck because the mini does not treat the upper abdomen. The mini tummy tuck does not remvoe as much skin as a full tummy tuck.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Full vs mini tummy tuck

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... more
John Renucci, MD

Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Skin Removal

Which procedure is right for would require and consultation and photos. A mini tummy tuck only removes a portion of excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and the belly button is not moved. Excess skin and poor muscle tone above the belly button are not improved. The scar is shorter but it is a smaller procedure. A full tummy tuck involves muscle repair for the entire abdomen with tightening of the skin above the belly button, relocation of the belly button and more skin removal.... more
Richard Linderman, MD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck

The “mini tummy tuck” is a very limited operation that I very rarely perform (very few patients are good candidates for this procedure). Most patients seeking abdominal wall surgery have significant amount of excess skin along with spreading of the rectus muscles (diastasis). These issues are not treated successfully without a full abdominoplasty. In my practice, it is more common that we treat patients who have had misguided mini tummy tuck surgery... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini vs full tummy tuck

In a mini tummy tuck you do not free the belly button from the adjacent skin and are limited in the amount of skin that you may take out. It generally only addresses the skin below the belly button and does not improve the areas above the belly button. I find the mini tummy tuck of limited use in patients after childbirth with excess skin and poor elasticity. With the full tummy tuck you can remove all the loose skin needed and tighten the abdominal fascia... more
Donald Nunn, MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy yuck

If your issue is extra skin, then do a full tummy tuck. a mini tt gives mini skin excision
Jonathan Saunders, MD

Newark Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini means "Mini!" Why do patients always expect maxi results from mini incisions, mini skin removal, and mini cost?

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... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini vs full tummy tuck

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.... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini vs full tummy tuck

There is less skin removed with a mini-abdominoplasty. usually it is recommended in someone when all of the issues are below the umbilicus. It keeps the scar slightly shorter, and has a slightly quicker recovery. If the umbilical region and the upper abdomen show laxity, etc, then a full abdominoplasty is recommended.
Rick Rosen, MD

Norwalk Plastic Surgeon
+1

Allure of Mini Tummy Tuck usually falls short of Expectation

Mini Tummy Tuck is just that - a mini operation that is neither here nor there. Most women who need abdominoplasty will need a full operation to achieve desired result from this undertaking. Mini tuck leads half the abdomen untouhed and this disharmony looks odd. Have a proper abdominoplasty.
Vasdev Rai, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck Means Different Things

Different plastic surgeons use the term "mini tummy tuck" to mean diffrent operations. Whereas a full tummy tuck generally means the same thing to all, a mini does not. In my vernacular, a mini tummy tuck means a procedure in which I remove (through a standard tummy tuck incision) only the amount of skin and fat that will allow me to directly close the wound without any significant undermining. A full tummy tuck does involve a lot of underming and results, as... more
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin removal in a (rare) mini tummy tuck vs full TT

There is MUCH LESS skin removed in a mini TT than a full one. Generally a couple of vertical inches is all the mini removes while the full removes generally from the belly button down to the pubiuc hairline. Mini TT's are very rare if the anatomy is properly assessed.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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