Mommy Makeover Q&A

98%

WORTH IT RATING

687 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Mommy Makeover Cost: $12,975

Learn about Mommy Makeover

1,851 people and 457 doctors are talking about Mommy Makeover

Get Free Email Updates

Best Tummy Tuck Technique for Me

asked 11 months ago by SassyMomma in Dover, DE
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 883 times
Tags: implant, incision, multiple, technique

I started consultations with surgeons for mommy makeover. I am 5'6" 150 lbs, 38 yo. Ps states need a horizontal & vertical incision because most of my belly bulge is at the bottom but I will need MR for diastasis from 2 pregnancies. If it is a FTT, why two incisions. And for implants ps wants areola incision but I prefer mammary fold. Also, with thin chest would saline look good or should I go with silicone. Under or over muscle?

16 answers to Best Tummy Tuck Technique for Me

Mommy makeover options

Hello, Although the procedures that are best for your depend on your goals and body characteristic you would likely be best served by: 1) a full tummy tuck with one horizontal incision in your lower bikini line (I suspect the plastic surgeon you have seen was recommending a lower tummy tuck and a reverse tummy tuck at the same time) 2) breast augmentation with silicone implants. the incision is not that important really so choose the one that you want. It appears that... more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

www.aaaplasticsurgery.com

Mommy makeover techniques

The angle from which these photos were taken makes it a bit difficult to say for sure, but it does NOT look like you would need a vertical component to your tummy tuck incision. It looks like you would do fine with a traditional tummy tuck which also allows for muscle plication. I don't see any reason why you couldn't have an inframammary approach to your breast augmentation. It is hard to tell how much breast tissue you have, but if your chest wall is thin, I would... more

B. Aviva Preminger, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Mommy makeover incisions

I would agree with you concerning the tummy tuck and breast augmentation. I prefer an incision under the breast and believe you would get an excellent result without the need for a lift. Make sure the implant is compatible with the diameter of your breast. I prefer under the muscle and either saline or silicone would be available to you. The nuances of that discussion are beyond the scope of this answer. The tummy tuck should be able to be achieved without a... more

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Mommy Makeover San Diego

My opinion: Regular tummy tuck (or "fitness" tummy tuck), saline or gel OK, inframammary approach preferred (your crease is sharp and well defined), and no vertical incision necessary. You will look great, provided your child bearing days are behind you, you are a non-smoker, you're generally healthy, you follow instructions, and communicate well with your doctor. In agreement with other responders, I would be inclined to see several board certified plastic... more

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Mommy makeover

From your photos, it looks like you would do well with a traditional FTT (horizontal incision only). You do not need a vertical incision. For your breasts, I would suggest inframammary crease, subpectoral, silicone or saline implants. You already have a well-defined crease- perfect for an IMF incision. Seek a second opinion with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Betty Kim, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Options for a mommy makeover

I would vote that you do not need a vertical scar for the tummy tuck. It looks like you have enough implant coverage that either saline or silicone should do fine. In that case, I generally recommend saline for all of its advantages. Shorter scar, less expense, no silent ruptures... I would vote for a IM crease incision. You have a great place to hide the scar, why put in on the visible part of the breast around the nipple.

York Jay Yates, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

www.yorkyates.com

Traditional tummy tuck and inframammary fold breast augmentation

Based on your photos I would recommend a traditional tummy tuck (no vertical incision) with liposuction of the flanks. The breast implants can certainly be inserted through an inframammary incision (breast fold). A board certified plastic surgeon can easily evaluate you and recommend the best approach for you. There is no need for any vertical incisions to be made on your abdomen based on the photos you have submitted. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Best Tummy Tuck Technique for Me

Now these are great posted photos. Sounds like you need MORE in person opinions. Based upon your photos I recommend Full horizontal (only one incision) TT with 3 layered muscle repair and subpectoral inframammary incision augmentation.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and breast incisions

I would agree with the other posts that you probably do not need a vertical incision, which is usually reserved for patients who have excessive skin and stretch marks that I don't feel will be improved with a traditional abdominplasty (often massive weight loss patients). Regarding breast implants, I feel that the decision would be up to you - both incisions offer a very nice result in most patients as long as they do not have a tendency to form hypertrophic or keloid scars... more

Michelle Spring, MD
Marina Del Rey Plastic Surgeon

Say No to the Vertical Incision

First, I believe that you do not need a vertical incision for your tummy tuck. The traditional lower incision will suffice. All your needs to produce a flatter appearing tummy through this incision. Concerning your implants, either silicone or saline is appropriate but the use of an areolar incision in patients of color has been problematic in my experience because the scar may not be well concealed. An infra mammary incision is a good choice. Second opinions... more

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast surgery and abdominoplasty - mommy makeover

Your posted photos are shot from an angle looking upward which makes it hard to tell exactly what your current situation is. I cannot understand the proposed logic for a vertical incision and you are right to question it. The vast majority of diastasis repairs are performed using only incisions around the belly button and horizontally in the lower abdomen. The only justification for a second vertical incision is in cases of severe excess abdominal skin after massive weight loss. I... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Mommy makeover advice

You look like you have a nice starting point for a mommy makeover. I would not think based on your photos that you would need a vertical incision on the abdomen, just the horizontal. Also, The crease incision would be fine with me and saline and gel could both work for you. Good luck.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.randcosmeticsurgery.com

Mommy makeover - selecting the best techniques

Since the mommy makeover typically involes a standard tummy tuck, the question is which of the many variations is best. Of particular concern for people of color is the scars which can be more likely to darken and become thick. In your case, based only on the photos, the standard patter without a vertical component seems like it should work, and I like the progressive tension suture method. For breast implants, it is also important to consider the scars; while there are benefits to... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

baxterplasticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck

In patient like you in my practice, One incision in the lower abdomen within the Bikini line will give you a very good result. I may recommend liosuction of the upper abdomen and flanks to get the best shape. Have another opinion by a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON ( AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY) For the breast you seem to have enough breast tissue to use either saline or silicone, and you have a choice above or below the muscle. IIf you want infra mammary incision the surgeon... more

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Mommy Makeover

We like the submuscular approach as there seems to be fewer capsule contractures. If you are not a competitive weightlifter or bodybuilder the mild distortion of the submuscular approach should not be an issue, and the inframmary incision is a good decision. Periareolar is also good, but with a gel implant, size can be a factor with regard to fitting the implant in the periareoloar location. You may want to get a second and third opinion, and these also with Board Certified... more

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon

Mommy makeover candidate

Based on your photo, you are a good candidate for a mommy makeover. A tummy tuck involves muscle repair of the rectus muscles stretched from pregnancy and removal of a majority of the excess, loose skin and stretchmarks of the abdominal region. It is difficult to determine whether you would benefit from saline or silicone without physically examining you. The decision would be based on your body type, the quality of your skin, and your overall goals. Implants placed sub-muscularly provide... more