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.

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.

Yes, a mini tummy tuck can definitely be done without liposuction. Whether or not lipo is recommended at all depends on your body. It is not standard or required. A common area for lipo with a mini tummy tuck is along the love handles, or to get rid of the muffin top. If you're pleased with your overall shape and simply have excess skin along the lower abdomen, then a mini tummy tuck may be all you need.

Hi rad0605.  Yes, you can do a mini tummy tuck without lipo if you do not have excess fat that will detract from your result if left behind.  The fat directly under the skin to be removed or advanced can be excised directly; the lipo is helpful to shape waist, hips and the tummy above the belly button for an overall better correction.  Talk to your PS about your concerns re: lipo and have them explain the consequences of not doing it or the benefits in terms of your oerall shape.

If there is localized fat, it can be reduced with a mini or full tummy tuck. This would be done by directly thinning the layer under the skin flap that is created as part of the tummy tuck procedure. Liposuction would only be done on adjacent areas. With any body contouring procedure, it is important to recognize the body type so that you don't end up accentuating disproportions.

Hello and thank you for your question. In the right patient, it is possible to perform a mini tummy tuck without liposuction.
This can be done through a low and short incision, all completely below the
bikini line.Your muscles can also be
plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.  Only an in-person examination can determine if this is the best procedure for you. The most important aspect is to find
a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a
qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

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.

Sometimes it is difficult to give a good answer without seeing any photos. Given the fact that you are an athletic person and surely must have low fat percentage i think that it is possible for you to have the mini TT alone.

Cosmetic Surgery, like the old Burger King ad, is having it your way. You should insist that your Plastic surgeon be honest and educate you on all your options and what may be the better option but ultimately YOU get to decide what will be fine on you (and take on the consequences of that decision). To get a great result from a Mini Tummy Tuck you must be s good candidate for it: minimal skin laxity, minimal muscle separation and if so below the belly button and minimal fat excess. Doing a Mini Tummy Tuck when a Full Thmmy Tuck is in order results in disappointment. Similarly, avoiding Liposuction when one is needed may not produce the best results. A comment about Liposuction. Liposuction does not cause fat to appear elsewhere or a change in the fat distribution of the body. Overeating and under exercising  especially with a low functioning Thyroid will result in increased fat deposition wherever the body has fat stores. However since the liposuctioned areas have proportionately less fat cells than other areas these areas are not going to be as inflated as unsuctioned areas. If people regarded Liposuction as an aid rather than as an easy cure to obesity, they would not gain weight after the surgery resulting in the shapes you are rightfully concerned by. Peter Aldea MD

what you are requesting is possible, you can get a tummy tuck without liposculture or liposuction if that is your wish, you can consider lipo to some areas if you have some fat that has been difficult to eliminate with exercise and diet. Good Luck!