5'11, 165lbs, 32 - mini TT? Full TT? Any non-surgical options to tighten & smooth lower belly? (Photos)

Thank you for your question. First, I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your son. It’s understandable that you want to feel better about your body after everything you've been through. Since you plan to have more children, it might be wise to hold off on a full tummy tuck until after you've completed your family. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck can stretch out the skin and muscles again, which might undo some results. A mini tummy tuck could be an interim solution if your issues are primarily in the lower abdomen and you don’t want to commit to a full TT right now, but a mini tummy tuck may not fully address skin laxity or muscle separation above the belly button.

You would be best served with a full tummy tuck. The energy-based alternatives are far inferior. A mini-tummy tuck would not adequately remove your stretched-out skin. I prefer to keep the scar as low as possible so that it can be hidden by a bikini.

Thank you for your inquiry! An in-person consultation would allow me to determine the laxity of the area to determine what would be your best option. We love to meet with you to discuss your concerns. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgery to help you reach your goals.

Thank you for your question, and I want to express my deepest condolences for your loss. I admire your courage and determination to explore options to feel more comfortable and confident in your body.

By examining your photos, I can see that you have some excess skin and fat in your lower abdomen that cannot be addressed effectively through nonsurgical options. While treatments such as radiofrequency, ultrasound therapies, or laser skin tightening can offer minimal improvement for mild skin laxity, they won’t achieve the significant results you’re seeking.

A mini tummy tuck could be an option if the issue is isolated to the area below your belly button. However, based on your photos, it appears that a full tummy tuck would provide better results by addressing both the excess skin and the muscle separation that often occurs after pregnancy. A full tummy tuck involves tightening the abdominal muscles and removing more excess skin, giving you a smoother, flatter appearance.

If you plan to have more children, it's important to note that pregnancy can reverse some of the benefits of a tummy tuck. I recommend waiting to pursue a tummy tuck until you’re done having children. However, if the physical and emotional impact of your current situation is significant, you could still proceed with the procedure and understand that future pregnancies may necessitate additional revision surgery.

For now, you might also consider body contouring procedures like liposuction combined with nonsurgical skin tightening to improve the area temporarily. These options can be revisited after your future pregnancies.

You’re on the right track by maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, which will enhance your surgical outcomes. I encourage you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and create a plan tailored to your needs and long-term aspirations.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

I am so sorry for your loss. If you want more children , I do not recommend any surgery at this point, otherwise your skin will get loose again. Because you have a lot of stretch marks, non surgical options will not tighten your skin, since stretch marks are a tear in the deep part of the skin. However, if you want to do something now, knowing that you might have to do it again, a mini tummy tuck will get rid of the skin fold that you have.

Thank you for your photos. An in person physical examination would help to understand whether the laxity of the tissues of your abdomen would warrant you having a mini tummy tuck or full tummy tuck. However, if you have additional children, your result may be compromised because of the restretching of your tummy tissue. The same applies for modalities that may help to tighten the skin of your lower tummy with non-invasive energy based systems to tighten the skin or reduce the fat. All of this may not make sense if you’re having additional children. My recommendation would be to finish having children and then visit a board certified plastic surgeon for the best way forward for you.

You are a candidate for a mini tummy tuck as a surgical option. As a non surgical option, I would recommend sculpsure, a non invasive laser that removes fat. The stretch marks are impossible to remove without a full tummy tuck. There are non invasive heat driven micro needling and other laser devices that can help with the stretch marks.

If you are planning future pregnancies, I would not recommend a full tummy tuck. This involves fascia repair, is more extensive and can be undone with a pregnancy. However, a mini tummy tuck can be done. It will address only the lower half below the umbilicus, which has most of your stretch marks. This could make a significant improvement and is a more minor procedure.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

I am so very sorry to hear about your child. If you want more children, hold off on getting the tuck until after you have all the children you want. For now you could consider minimally invasive skin tightening with Renuvion and Morpheus to help tighten your skin and help with stretch marks.

I'm so very sorry to hear about your baby.
Based on the photos you are a great candidate for the standard tummy tuck, but because you are planning future pregnancies that is not recommended at this time. You could have a mini tuck to give you some improvement in the lower abdomen and remove some of the stretch marks. You can convert to a full tummy tuck once you are finished having children.