Am I a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck or alternative to remove stomach pooch? (Photos)

Question

Hello, I’ve had two children who are teenagers now. I’ve spent The entirety of their lives trying to loose this pooch. I do abs almost every workout. I workout 3-5 days a week. No matter what I do it seems it never improves. Can I get a mini tummy tuck? Or is there alternatives? I want to feel comfortable. If I wear something that covers the bottom pooch my stomach looks fine. I just can’t wear anything low rise.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

You are in great shape, stubborn skin unfortunately does not respond to exercise.

Best would be a full tummy tuck to remove as much skin as possible to try keep the scar low and this will also improve area around the belly button.

In my experience, a mini addressing only the bottom, will leave skin with stretch marks, not be able to be tightened enough without distorting the belly button.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to discuss your options and expectations.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Your lower abdominal prominence appears to be mostly muscle laxity, although there is minor adiposity and skin redundancy too. The sad face appearance of your bellybutton is due to skin excess above, and this will not be affected by a 'mini' tummy tuck; this is because the skin around the belly button would not be tightened.  If you don't mind much change to your belly button, then a mini tuck is possible. I caution you though about only tightening the lower abdominal wall with a mini tuck. Sometimes only tightening the lower abdomen, upper abdominal laxity is revealed. Therefore, I typically do not aggressively tighten the lower when the upper is not being addressed. The alternative is a full tuck, which many surgeons would not offer you because you would have a small, midline, vertical scar an inch or two below your belly button. I have found this to be a non-issue and in so many people, allows the surgeon to place the long transvers scar in the best location possible: very, very low.

John LoMonaco, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the photos.

You have a bit of muscle laxity, a bit of tummy fat, and some skin laxity.  All 3 have to be corrected to get a nice trim and sculpted tummy.  The issue is that your skin excess and stretch marks go off to the sides by where your tattoo begins.  This alone tells me that a regular tummy tuck is your best option.

I rarely do "minis" in women who have been pregnant simply because there are so few "mini-pregnancies" that only stretch the tummy in the center (which is all a "mini" really corrects). Cheers from Texas

Am I a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck or alternative to remove stomach pooch? (Photos)

Answers (3)

More Mini Tummy Tuck Questions

28, Female. Considering mini tummy tuck + Lipo 360 — seeking expert opinions on whether this is the best approach? (Photos)

Would a mini tummy tuck, liposuction, or scar revision be most appropriate for my c-section “shelf”? (Photos)

21-year-old female who recently lost about 80 lbs - Can I get a mini tummy tuck? (Photos)

30, female, two c-sections - Mini vs Full Abdominoplasty? (Photos)

39 - Mini or full tummy tuck to regain mobility and remove excess skin? (Photos)

Will lipo 360 and a mini tummy tuck be enough to give me a snatched and flat foundation?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS