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Mini Tummy Tuck for a Few Inches of Loose Skin?
My only concern is the very loose skin over my c-section scar, like 3 1/2 to 4 inches of wrinkly skin that I can grab between my fingers, and of course the stretch marks but I wouldn't like to carry a full tummy tuck scar for the rest of my life.
Will a mini tummy tuck be enough for me?
Asked 36 months ago by
cjmarrone in nort bay vilage, fl, united states
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Mini-tummy tuck is great!
A mini-tummy tuck will remove the excess overhang and excess skin below the umbilicus. It will also tighten the muscle up to the ribcage. Liposuction as part of the procedure can maximize the beauty of your contour. Be careful with the umbilical float described below.
For patients with a high belly button (higher than a line drawn between the top of both hip bones) the float allows us to remove a small amount of tissue above the umbilicus without making the belly button scar. But if you...
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The difference between a mini-tummy tuck and full tummy tuck is the amount of vertical skin removed
The lengths of the incisions from side to side (or hip bone to hip bone) would be comparable for your problem as seen in your photograph. Both would run above the pubic bone level horizontally. The amount of loosening from the pubic area above this area determines full versus mini-tummy tuck.
Mini-tummy tucks do not loosen the tissue above the belly button and, therefore, remove less tissue than a full abdominoplasty. Full abdominoplasties loosen the abdominal skin higher than the belly...
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Mini vs Full Tummy Tuck
The full tummy tuck scar is a little longer, but it removes a lot more skin. Most patients (~80%) are very happy with the full tummy tuck because it meets their expectation as to the amount of stretch-mark removal and tightening of the muscle layer. I think many patients are disappointed with the mini-tummy tuck because they want a small scar, full tightening of the muscle layer and most of the stretch-marks removed and that's just not possible with a mini tummy tuck.
I recommend that...
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Mini-tuck and full-tuck have the same length incision.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that a mini-tuck has any smaller incision. The incision lengths are generally the same. Based on your picture, you need a full tummy tuck combined with flank liposuction to achieve the best results. It would be a shame to go through all the recovery and surgery for a mini-tuck and have inferior results. Good luck with your surgery.
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Depends on how long C-section scar is
On exam, your surgeon (hopefully you are going to go to a ASPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon), will be able to tell you if he/she can keep within your C-section scar. It look like most of your strecth marks are below your belly button which makes it easier to give you a good result.
Good luck. Hope this helps.
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Full Tummy Tuck is better
You have stretch marks above the belly button and also you have muscle separation above the belly button. With mini tuck you will get mini result and if you are OK with taht then mini tuck will be ok. You need to discuss your concrns with your plastic surgeon and make sure to get more than one consultation.
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Understand the tummy tuck scar before you choose the surgery
The term "mini" in tummy tuck is a bit of a misnomer and is frequently misunderstood. The incision is not mini per se, what is done under the skin is less than a full tummy tuck.
Traditionally, a mini tummy tuck removes less skin/fat and only tightens the muscles between the pubis and navel, compared to the full tummy tuck. The length of the skin scar will be determined by how much tissue is removed between the navel and pubis.
Even if you just get 2 to 3 inches of tissue removed...
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Mini tummy tuck is a trade off - shorter scar, less stretch mark removal
A mini-tuck will tighten the abdominal skin below your belly button and should satisfy you regarding the 3 1/2-4 inches of wrinkling skin you talk about. This will give you the shortest scar as opposed to a full tummy tuck.
However, it will not remove all the stretch marks, since your stretch marks extend to and even above the belly button. In order to remove the stretch marks, you would have to do a full tummy tuck. But with the full tummy tuck, the resulting scar is quite a bit longer. In...
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Loose Skin Adjacent to C-Section Scar
If your only concern is the small amount of loose skin that you have near the c-section scar then a 'mini-tummy tuck' will likely take care of your concern. If you're looking to get rid of more stretch marks or looking to flatten the abdomen more then a full tummy tuck would be indicated. Many patients make compromises in their decision making process between full and partial tummy tucks. The pros and cons need to be weighed with your surgeon so that you can make the best...
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Mini tummy tuck vs. Full tummy tuck
In my opinion, I think you would have a very nice result with a full tummy tuck. The full tummy tuck would not only remove the damaged skin and stretch marks but also tighten your abdominal muscles. Very few patients are really good candidates for a mini tummy tuck. Please make sure you understand the difference between a full and a mini tummy tuck in relation to skin removal, muscle work, etc.. that will help you make the right decision. Also, seeing a board certified...
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Mini tummy tuck
Hello,
Yes, that is a reasonable option for you. The stretch marks beyond the area to be removed will obviously remain. You can get muscle tightening all the way up with an endoscopic component. The big key is this: will you be happy with the amount of laxity that remains after the mini tummy tuck.
All the best,
Dr Repta
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Choosing between Mini versus Full tummy tuck (photo): see video
The photo shows a low lying belly button with numerous striae and underwear marks in a low to high direction. It is my opinion you would get a fantastic result with a full tummy tuck. This would get rid of most of the stretch marks and be able to conceal the underwear beneath your clothing. See the video in the attached link for detailed description of the differneces.
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Mini tummy tuck would do well with some limitations
A mini tummy tuck would adress the excess lower abdominal skin and tighten the lower abdominal muscles. For you the advantages of a full abdominoplasty would be:
More stretch marks would be removed with a full abdominoplasty.
The muscles above the umbilicus would be adressed.
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When is a mini tummy tuck the best option?
A standard or full tummy tuck does 3 things: it tightens the skin from top to bottom, allows for muscle plication to correct the changes that can occur with pregnancy, and removes localized fat when needed. The mini differs in that only the lower abdominal skin can be tightened but is otherwise the same. From your description it sounds like a very good option for you, assuming the upper abdominal skin is in good shape.
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Mini tummy tuck is good for small amounts of skin
From you photos it appears a mini-tummy tuck would give you the results you are looking for. A mini-tummy tuck will remove only 3-4 inches of skin above your pubic hair, can tighten the muscles in this area and get rid of the c-section scar. The incision would be shorter than a regular tummy tuck and be located just above your pubic hair. However, any stretch marks above this or other skin abnormalities would not be affected. For stretch marks to be removed they...
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Example of the rare candidate for mini-tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
You dislike only the excess skin around your C-section scar. If this is really true, a mini tummy tuck should make you happy. It does require an incision across the lower abdomen the length of which is determined by how much skin is removed. If the plastic surgeon "cheats" too much you will be left with a dogear which requires an extension of the original scar to correct.
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Mini tummy tuck removes loose skin above the pubic area
A mini tummy tuck has a smaller scar than a full tummy tuck, does not move/reposition the belly button, and does not address the muscle laxity.
Looking at your picture it seems that a mini tummy tuck would be enough to remove some of the lax skin that you have but would not remove most of the stretch marks you have. On the other hand, a full tummy tuck, while able to remove most of the stretch marks, would still leave behind stretch marks above the belly button and on the love...
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Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is best for those candidtae who have 2 to 3 inches of excess skin above their pubic area. It is difficult to remove more skin than that without extending your incision further. You really need a proper evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon to determine the amount of your lower abodminal laxity and the best procedure that will serve you. Also, you need to express your expectations during this consultation.
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Mini tummy tucks are not ideal for everyone
From your photo- you've got loose skin and 'stretch marks' all the way up to belly button- if you want those stretch marks removed, consider a 'standard' tummy tuck, which is designed to remove skin all the up to the belly button and beyond.
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Mini Tummy Tuck
Mini Tummy Tucks are for those who have some excess skin in the area between the belly button and the pubis. It does not "move" tissue around the belly button. In the right candidate it can be very effective. Always best to see your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and explain what you want. He/She will see if you are a candidate, and make a plan.
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You are a great candidate for a mini tummy tuck!
There are several reasons why you may be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck can address small amounts of access or loose skin and lower abdomen easily. You already have a scar from your C-section. If the excess skin is located in the central portion of your abdomen, your surgeon may use your C-section scar to help remove the excess skin and tighten the lower abdomen.
see video
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Mini-tummy tuck
A mini-tummy tuck is a limited scar on the lower abdomen, like a c-section scar. You can take out a few inches of excess skin but can not treat the upper abdomen or tighten the msucle of the upper abdomen effectively from this limited incision.
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Mini tummy tuck candidate
Most people need full tummy tucks but in your case a mini could be done and tighten the muscles below the umbilicus and remove some skin and your previous scar. The scar isn't that much shorter than a full TT scar and you will have more left over stretch marks than from a full tummy tuck.
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A Mini Tuck would be fine for you
Cjmarrone,
Based on your photo, I would have advised you that limited abdominoplasty ("mini") should be a good answer. Of course, most doctors start with obtaining more information about your medical history, general health, future pregnancy plans, desired appearance, expectations, etc. You should discuss all those and more with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
As others have mentioned, I suspect that tightening the muscle and fibrous support will give you the most significant...
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Mini Tummy Tuck is great for small areas
A Mini tummy tuck is often great for a small area of extra skin, but 3-4 inches may not really represent the actual amount of skin tightening needed for great results. Each patient presents with different body type, different medical history and different expectations. Our staff takes the time to identify these issues, and develop a plan that is individually designed and executed for safe and significant results.
Anxious about a tummy tuck and whether you're getting the full story? Learn 12 secrets from a RealSelf community member who went through it all.