Would I be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck with muscle repair? (photos)

Dear MarieS,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your inquiry! By your photos, it looks like you would be a great candidate for an abdominoplasty to get rid of excess skin. The only difference in a mini vs a full abdominoplasty is how long the incision is. A mini tummy tuck is going to have a smaller incision than a full tummy tuck. Muscle repair, removal of excess skin, and liposuction are all included with both a mini and a full tummy tuck. I recommend scheduling a consult appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon like myself so we can create a surgical plan that is best for you and your goals!

Attempts at muscle repair with a mini-tt have resulted in incomplete or odd looking results in my experience. Assuming your muscle is the problem, then a full, traditional tummy tuck will address any muscle laxity. Your skin however, does not appear to have much laxity so there is a significant (but not 100%) chance that you will have a vertical scar that will extend to the new umbilicus. Umbilical floats are not done commonly for good reasons. An in-person exam by an experienced body plastic surgeon is critical to assess and establish your plan. Thank you.

Hello, you are an ideal candidate for an Abdominoplasty by laparoscopy, you do not have excess skin to remove, there is fat and muscles have to be repaired, it would be only 3 small incisions quite low and they would not be seen!!

"Thank you for sharing your pictures and question. With a mini tummy tuck, muscle repair focuses on the lower abdomen, and the procedure is limited by how much skin can be removed. For comprehensive muscle repair, especially above the belly button, a full tummy tuck is usually required, which involves a longer scar and repositioning of the belly button. Given your pictures and needs, a full tummy tuck would be recommended. A thorough evaluation and consultation with a plastic surgeon will be required.



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Hello and thank you for your question!

The short answer is yes! it is possible to make a short scar/mini tummy tuck incision about the width of your pubic bone, another one around the belly button, and then be able for us to see and work along the full length of the abdominal muscles to tighten them and give you a tighter, flatter abdomen. We can remove no/some skin depending on the need and not drastically alter the position of the belly button. Good luck on your journey!

There is some bulging above your belly button, therefore a mini tummy tuck would most likely not be sufficient for you. A full tummy tuck would be a better option. Skin removal does not have to be performed if it’s unnecessary, or it can be kept to a minimum.

Photos do no justice. It looks like lipo alone or with mini tuck would do the trick, but maybe i'm being tricked by your photos. If there are signs that a full tuck is necessary, don't ever let a surgeon float your belly button (move it). Either accept the small vertical scar with a very low main incision or don't do a full tuck.

You may be but one has to personally examine you to verify how much loose skin can actually be removed from you in order to leave you with a scar below your bikini line. Otherwise, you may benefit from any combination of liposuction, ultrasonic Vaser and RF treatments.

I hope this helps,
Best of luck !

You would probably do very well with the mini tuck to tighten your lower abdomen and remove excess skin.