Am I a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck? Can I get a mini tummy tuck without altering my belly button? (Photo)

Question

I am 5 foot 1. 125 lbs. loose skin from pregnancy 15 years out. Active and healthy. Do not want to remove my belly button. Can I get a mini tummy tuck without altering my belly button.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear alirose09,

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

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

It is difficult to see the quality of your skin in the photo provided. If you don’t have any loose skin or other issues in the area above your belly button, then a mini tummy tuck would most likely be suitable. A mini tummy tuck would not affect your belly button.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

The main thing to keep in mind is that a mini tummy tuck does not affect the appearance of the upper abdomen other than perhaps some liposuction. If there is a muscle separation it can be repaired with the umbilical float method.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

From the photo, you do not appear to have a lot of lose skin to warrant a tummy tuck.

Vaser ultrasound liposuction will tighten skin and remove stubborn fat without tummy tuck scars.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm you are a candidate as well as discuss your options and expectations.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It's difficult to determine from the submitted photo if you are a good candidate for the mini tummy tuck.  The mini does not involve an incision around the belly button.  It will remove some skin and correct abdominal wall laxity below the belly button.  I've included a video describing the incisions that I hope you find helpful.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

With only one post a photo at two for a focal distance and not done with you standing straight and no side views difficult to give an accurate response. My initial feeling is many tummy tuck with liposuction and possibly plasma. Use are the options I would recommend. Expect fee to arrange from $5000-$10,000. Best of virtual consult with for better explanation and understand understandings.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There’s no reason you can’t have a mini tummy tuck.
Whether it gives you the results you’re hoping for is another question.
Procedure selection should be done by first having a clear understanding of what the underlying ideology is.
There are four tissue variables that determine what the abdomen looks like.
These are abdominal skin laxity typically due to previous pregnancies, excess subcutaneous fat, muscle separation from previous pregnancies, and finally access visceral or intra-abdominal fat.
A mini tummy tuck treats, abdominal skin laxity of the lower abdomen only. It does not address skin laxity above the belly button nor does it treat muscle separation.
A full tummy tuck treats, pregnancy related muscle separation, and tightens the skin of the upper and lower abdomen.
A mini tummy tuck can create some downward pull on the belly button, depending on how much skin is removed.
Generally, the impact on the belly button isn’t very much.
The biggest drawback to a mini tummy tuck is that it doesn’t treat skin laxity of the upper abdomen, and cannot address muscle separation.
If there is muscle separation, then a full tummy attack is usually a better procedure.
The appearance of the belly button after a full tummy tuck varies substantially, depending on who does the procedure.
Getting a natural looking belly button on a consistent basis is one of the hardest parts of a full tummy tuck.
 To get this looking good, requires finesse and attention to detail.
It takes time.
Those who approach mastery of the procedure can get good, consistent quality results with really good looking belly buttons.
Average providers tend to leave the belly button, looking quite surgical, crude and unnatural.
provider selection is in the end, the most important variable.
In the hands of the right provider you’ll be guided towards the correct procedure, you’ll have a good understanding of each procedure and the procedure will be executed correctly.
Focus your efforts on provider selection by having several in person consultations.
Get a quality set of pictures of yourself.
Don’t take the picture yourself and don’t use mirrors.
Have someone else take the pictures or use the timer on your camera.
 look at how plastic surgeons take before and after pictures to get an understanding of what we need.
Bring pictures of yourself with you to use as a reference during any consultation.
During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before and after pictures of previous patients who had similar body characteristics for whatever procedure they recommend.
 ideally, they should have results for both mini and full tummy tucks on previous patients who had similar looking abdomen.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Am I a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck? Can I get a mini tummy tuck without altering my belly button? (Photo)

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