Is the Belly Button Also Involved in a Regular Tummy Tuck, Like a Mini Tummy Tuck?

Is recovery quicker when you go through the belly button during a mini-tummy tuck? Is the belly button detachment purely for aesthetic reasons?

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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 umbilicus is left in place for a ful tummy tuck , and in a mini it is sometiems detached and moved lower.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Differences between tummy tuck and mini-tummy tuck

A mini-tummy tuck involves removal of only a portion of the lower abdominal skin and tissue with no involvement (incisions) at the belly button. A full tummy tuck allows for complete removal of the skin and tissue from the level of the belly button to the pubic area. There is an incision around the belly button during this procedure. This also allows for a complete tightening of the abdominal muscular wall. The length of the final scar with a tummy tuck is only about two inches longer per... more

Regular vs mini tummy tuck

The belly button is either not detached at all or detached at the abdomen wall with a mini tummy tuck. This will lower the belly button and generally only treats the lower abdomen. With a regular tummy tuck the belly button is left attached to the abdomen wall and a new opening is made in the abdomen flap which is lifted and advanced over the belly button. This type of tummy tuck addresses the entire abdomen. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon. more

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS

3 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Is the Belly Button Also Involved in a Regular Tummy Tuck?

A lower or "mini" tummy tuck only tightens the skin below the belly button. If the skin is loose above the BB, then the BB must be detached, since it is tethering the skin to the underlying muscles, and no amount of pulling on the skin below this will result in any tightening above the BB unless it is release. In a regular or full tummy tuck, you make an incision around the BB, leaving the round disk of BB skin attached in place on its stalk, and the skin, once freed from the... more

Mini vs full TT

A mini-tummy tuck refers to a procedure in which only the tissues and sometimes the muscle below the BB are treated. The BB may be pulled down some, but there is no incision made around it. You BB has a stalk below the skin that passes into the abdomen and thus limits (like a tether) how far you can pull the skin down. In a full abdominoplasty an incision is made around the umbilicus so the surrounding tissues can be pulled down further and more of it excised. ... more

Belly Button Treatment in Tummy Tuck

The difference between "mini" tummy tuck and "regular" tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a common question to plastic surgeons. Many patients come in asking for a mini abdominplasty thinking it is best because they will have less down time and save money. A mini tummy tuck usually does not involve an incision around the umbilicus (belly button). Most of these patients have a minimal amount of excess lower abdominal skin and a moderate loss of muscle tone... more

Full tummy tuck, abdominoplasty and mini tummy tucks

There are many differences between what people call a mini and a standard tummy tuck but..... the umbilicus is always treated in a standard tummy tuck.. it is usually cut around and relocated. a technique called a slide can be done in a few cases

Mini vs full tummy tucks

Minis are rare because they do nothing above the umbilicus so almost all patients need a full TT for their optimal results. This involved an incision around the umbi while this is not the case in a mini.

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Unfortunately, I don't really understand your question: "is the belly button also involved in a regular tummy tuck?" A few words regarding the differences between the 2 operations may be helpful... The mini tummy talk, In my opinion, 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... more