Mini Tummy Tuck with no Lipo?

Abdominoplasty
treats the skin excess and muscle weakness of the abdomen, as well as any fat
that is between the belly button and the pubic hairline. Liposuction treats
only fat. It can be used to thin out the abdomen, but the skin must be in good
condition with no excess, and there should not be muscle weakness. I do not
like to combine abdominoplasty with liposuction because of the added risks of
fluid collection under the skin, VTE and wound healing problems.

Aggressive
liposuction with tummy tuck is dangerous. A full tummy tuck with
liposuction at the same time will certainly put you at a high risk for fluid
under the tummy tuck skin (seroma). A full tummy tuck with aggressive
liposuction at the same time will also certainly put you at an unacceptably
high risk for a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism (PE), venous
thromboembolic event (VTE). The literature is complete with this information.
The science is the science. This is a risky combination.

The
incidence of seroma formation is about 16.0 percent in the abdominoplasty-alone
group and 31.2 percent in the abdominoplasty with liposuction group.

The
combination of abdominoplasty and liposuction procedures can still overwhelm
the body's ability to resist these shear forces by the fact that more surface
area is available to “shear” and thus produce seroma fluid. Not so much as an
additive effect but synergistically, such that the seroma fluid from the flanks
flows into the adjacent abdominal space and resists the ability of the upper
abdominal flap to close over the abdominal wall. Patients must be counseled
about their risk for seroma formation and treatments aimed at resolving them
including frequent postoperative visits for needle drainage and the rare case
requiring operative drainage in the face of a persistent seroma.

It is not necessary to have liposuction at the time of your tummy tuck. That being said, it may be recommended as a way to give you a more complete result. It is important to select an experienced board certified plastic surgeon for your procedure. During a consultation you can learn more about the procedure as well as the risks and benefits associated with it.

Mini-abdominoplasty tightens the lower abdominal wall muscles and removes redundant skin below the umbilicus, belly button, only. The shortest scar technique leaves a scar at the pubic hair line. Liposuction may be used alone or in conjunction with a tummy tuck to benefit selected patients
‘Mini” tummy tucks can benefit patients who have a small amount of excess skin and fat or protruding of the lower abdomen. This operation may be done under local anesthesia with sedation, on an outpatient basis. Liposuction may be used alone or in conjunction with a tummy tuck to benefit selected patients.
Far more important than deciding if a mini tummy tuck is for you is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather than the technique and let him explain why one technique may be better than another and if you need a tummy tuck. Many board certified plastic surgeons provide a free first time consult and you should take advantage of that!
See the below link on some suggestions on finding the most qualified Plastic Surgeon for you!
I have also attached a video for a possible Tummy Tuck Candidate.