Standard vs Mini Tummy Tuck? Worried About Scarring and Stretch Marks.

Im a 20 year old mother of one (14months old). Im still a somewhat petite girl, 5'5" 125 lbs. My main issue with my stomach is the stretch marks, so Id like to lose as many of those as possible. I am, however, worried about a large scar or a really low, flat belly button.

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Tummy Tuck for Stretch Marks (Full vs. Mini)

In order to get rid of the greatest possible amount of the skin that has stretch marks with a tummy tuck, then a longer scar will have to be accepted. In general the length of the scar will have to be at least 3 times the vertical height of the skin to be removed. With a full tummy tuck, this is usually all of the skin between the top of the belly button and the incision at the level of the pubic hairline. The typical scar for this procedure extends from one hip to the other. With a mini... more

Tummy tuck or not?

There is very little that can be done for faded or flesh colored stretch marks (striae distensae). I would strongly encourage you to undertake a regimen of core strengthening exercises such as Pilates or Yoga. If you are considering any more children, avoid a tummy tuck for now.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Mini vs full tummy tuck.

Thank you for the photo. The mini tummy tuck is good for extra skin under the belly button. For skin above the belly button, belly button issues, separated muscles, excess skin above the belly button, a full tummy tuck is usually better. Please seek out a board certified plastic surgeon.

Tummy tuck or mini-tummy tuck?

In my opinion, the mini tummy talk is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For example, the area of skin excised is quite small. The abdominal wall musculature is addressed below the umbilicus leaving the upper number wall potentially lax. The appearance of the umbilicus is not necessarily... more

When to get a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is a safe and effective procedure that can create a more contoured abdomen, a tight waist and a beautiful figure. In our Miami practice, we feel that as all patients are unique, so is every tummy tuck. Some of our patients receive a mini tummy tuck, some receive a full tummy tuck, while others receive a combination of both procedures. During the initial consultation, we spent a great deal of time talking to the patients to understand what their concerns are, to learn... more

Stretch marks

At 20 you are a bit young for a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck would remove the stretch marks in an elliptical fashion from udner the umbilicus, but I would wait until you have completed all child bearing.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Stretch marks

Unfortunately stretch marks are one of the problems we don't have a good answer for. The easiest and most reliable method in to remove the skin containing the stretch marks but since these are quite extensive in you and are present far above the belly button, the only way to remove all of them is to have a scar that is quite high and possibly visible in a bathing suit.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Getting Rid of Stretch Marks

It is hard to see the location of your stretch marks from the photo you submitted. Generally speaking to get rid of stretch marks you will need a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). A mini-tummy tuck is really only good for reducing the fat thickness and removing a small amount of skin.

Mini Tummy Tuck VS. Standard / Full Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Regarding: "Im a 20 year old mother of one (14months old). Im still a somewhat petite girl, 5'5" 125 lbs. My main issue with my stomach is the stretch marks, so Id like to lose as many of those as possible. I am, however, worried about a large scar or a really low, flat belly button." Excellent question. Before jumping into ANY Tummy Tuck discussion it would be best if you are done having children (stable relation, tubal ligation etc). It would not make any sense... more

A mini-tummy tuck does not remove stretch marks around or above the belly button

You would need a traditional tummy tuck to fully address your stretch mark concerns. There is a common misconception regarding "mini"-tummy tucks--a mini-tummy tuck does not necessarily have a much shorter scar than a regular tummy tuck. The length of the scar in either procedure is wholly dictated by the amount of loose skin to be removed. A traditional tummy tuck does not reposition your belly button, but you would have a scar around the belly button. ... more