I had twins a year ago via c-section. I now have excess skin and a scar that indents. I'm currently 124 lbs, 5'3 and am trying to lose a stubborn 8 lbs. The recovery from my c-section was long and painful. I do not want a full tummy tuck. My muscles are definitely separated below the navel, but I don't think they are above. My bulging seems to be on the bottom half. Am I a candidate for a mini? I will be setting up a consult within the next month. Thanks in advance!!!!
Answer: Mini or maxi TT Dear P, Thanks for submitting your pictures. From observing your pictures it appears that you have skin and muscles laxity from the chedt bone to the pubic bone. Cosmetic surgery is supposed to improve your appearance and not compromize it. A mini tummy tuck will improve your lower abdomen, but you will have a bulge above the umbilicus that will even more noticeable when you are eating. So I am strongly against mini TT in your situation. I is better not to do anything than do it wrong. A full TT will flaten your belly, give you a narrow waist and most likely will cause you to lose a lot of weight which will make you healthy and better looking. Always, consult with board certified plastic surgeon and check their before and after pictures to make sure that you like the results. Also, make sure that their pictures are numerous and consistent and that they have good reviews. Best of luck, Dr Widder
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Answer: Mini or maxi TT Dear P, Thanks for submitting your pictures. From observing your pictures it appears that you have skin and muscles laxity from the chedt bone to the pubic bone. Cosmetic surgery is supposed to improve your appearance and not compromize it. A mini tummy tuck will improve your lower abdomen, but you will have a bulge above the umbilicus that will even more noticeable when you are eating. So I am strongly against mini TT in your situation. I is better not to do anything than do it wrong. A full TT will flaten your belly, give you a narrow waist and most likely will cause you to lose a lot of weight which will make you healthy and better looking. Always, consult with board certified plastic surgeon and check their before and after pictures to make sure that you like the results. Also, make sure that their pictures are numerous and consistent and that they have good reviews. Best of luck, Dr Widder
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Am I a candidate for a mini TT? These pictures suggest muscle laxity along the extent of the abdominal wall, and, as such, a full tummy tuck would produce a better result. A minitummy tuck with plication is not unreasonable, but I do not believe it will produce as nice a result. In addition, the amount of skin removed in a minitummy tuck without compromising umbilical position will limit the result as well.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA
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Answer: Am I a candidate for a mini TT? These pictures suggest muscle laxity along the extent of the abdominal wall, and, as such, a full tummy tuck would produce a better result. A minitummy tuck with plication is not unreasonable, but I do not believe it will produce as nice a result. In addition, the amount of skin removed in a minitummy tuck without compromising umbilical position will limit the result as well.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA
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February 24, 2014
Answer: Tummy tuck based on the photos provided it looks like a full tummy tuck is the appropriate choice but an in person consultation is required.Thank you for your question. As others have answered here, a mini tuck primarily address skin laxity and sometimes abdominal laxity below the belly button. It doesn't do much for looseness or muscle laxity above the bellybutton. A full tummy tuck handles this area better. There are other variations that are less well-known depending upon your goals and time for recovery. For example a full tummy tuck can be done without muscle repair for the appropriate patient. A full muscle tightening can be done with a mini tummy tuck skin excision or sometimes with no skin excision. There are more extensive kinds of abdominoplasty that remove even more skin in patients with massive weight loss and severe laxity The best way to approach this would be to learn which option would best fulfill your needs. A board-certified plastic surgeon can help go over the options with you and address your goals.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 24, 2014
Answer: Tummy tuck based on the photos provided it looks like a full tummy tuck is the appropriate choice but an in person consultation is required.Thank you for your question. As others have answered here, a mini tuck primarily address skin laxity and sometimes abdominal laxity below the belly button. It doesn't do much for looseness or muscle laxity above the bellybutton. A full tummy tuck handles this area better. There are other variations that are less well-known depending upon your goals and time for recovery. For example a full tummy tuck can be done without muscle repair for the appropriate patient. A full muscle tightening can be done with a mini tummy tuck skin excision or sometimes with no skin excision. There are more extensive kinds of abdominoplasty that remove even more skin in patients with massive weight loss and severe laxity The best way to approach this would be to learn which option would best fulfill your needs. A board-certified plastic surgeon can help go over the options with you and address your goals.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 24, 2014
Answer: Tummy Tuck? Yes. You are correct in thinking that mini tummy tucks fix the abdominal wall below the belly button. When excess skin and muscle laxity are confined to this area, a mini tummy tuck will do a nice job. In looking at the curve of your belly, it starts at the pubic region and remains convex up to the ribs, and is most anterior at the belly button. The entire rectus sheath should be tightened, otherwise the lower abdomen would be flattened at the upper abdomen will stick out. If the roundness peaked below the belly button, and your abdomen was flat above your belly button, then a mini abdominoplasty would be a good choice. Since you do not appear to have an excessive amount of loose skin, a hybrid technique where the belly button is "floated" may also work. See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area for an informed opinion.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 24, 2014
Answer: Tummy Tuck? Yes. You are correct in thinking that mini tummy tucks fix the abdominal wall below the belly button. When excess skin and muscle laxity are confined to this area, a mini tummy tuck will do a nice job. In looking at the curve of your belly, it starts at the pubic region and remains convex up to the ribs, and is most anterior at the belly button. The entire rectus sheath should be tightened, otherwise the lower abdomen would be flattened at the upper abdomen will stick out. If the roundness peaked below the belly button, and your abdomen was flat above your belly button, then a mini abdominoplasty would be a good choice. Since you do not appear to have an excessive amount of loose skin, a hybrid technique where the belly button is "floated" may also work. See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area for an informed opinion.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 24, 2014
Answer: Mini Tuck vs Full Tummy Tuck Thank you for your question and pictures. Your question about how to treat loose skin and lax abdominal muscles after childbirth is very commonly asked in my practice. The main difference between a full and a mini tummy tuck is that a mini tuck does not place a scar around the belly button, and it also does not address the skin and muscle above the belly button. Although a picture can only give limited information, from your picture it doesn't seem like you have much skin laxity above the belly button. So a mini tummy tuck may be an appropriate procedure for you if the muscles above the belly button are in good shape.Be sure to consult with a fully trained plastic surgeon to ensure that you get the results you desire. All the best!Ruth Celestin, MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 24, 2014
Answer: Mini Tuck vs Full Tummy Tuck Thank you for your question and pictures. Your question about how to treat loose skin and lax abdominal muscles after childbirth is very commonly asked in my practice. The main difference between a full and a mini tummy tuck is that a mini tuck does not place a scar around the belly button, and it also does not address the skin and muscle above the belly button. Although a picture can only give limited information, from your picture it doesn't seem like you have much skin laxity above the belly button. So a mini tummy tuck may be an appropriate procedure for you if the muscles above the belly button are in good shape.Be sure to consult with a fully trained plastic surgeon to ensure that you get the results you desire. All the best!Ruth Celestin, MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful