Do I need a full tummy tuck or a mini; and how do I fix the hip dips on my upper butt/glutes? Lipo? (Photo)

Thank you for your question! Based off the images and description provided, you would be a good candidate for a combined procedure of 360 Liposuction and Tummy Tuck. This will help take down unwanted fullness, remove excess skin, and tighten the abdominal wall to get you a more contoured waistline. A mini-tuck would only address excess skin below the belly button and not address any abdominal wall repair or looseness above the belly button. Regarding the last part of your question, if 360 trunk liposuction is done with your tummy tuck, it could bring down the fullness above the hip dip. You could also pair fat transfer to the depleted areas to build up the volume loss. An in-person evaluation with a qualified board certified plastic surgeon would be best to get a full and accurate treatment plan to help you reach your goals.

Thank you for your questions and photos. A tummy tuck will address excess skin & repair of the abdominal muscle. The abdominal wall can be weakened after pregnancy and (or) significant weight gain & loss. By repairing the muscle, not only does the appearance of your abdominal area improve, but your core strength as well. The repair of the muscle will cinch your waist like an inner corset, which will accentuate your curves. Liposuction will remove excess fat from unwanted areas with some skin retraction. Fat transfer to your hips & buttocks will fill in your "hip dips", and give projection while adding shape & symmetry. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals. Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

It looks like you have loose skin above and below your belly button, which would make a full tummy tuck more suitable for you. Liposuction can be performed on your sides to smooth out the dips.

Thank you for your question and pictures! From your photos, I think you are more of a surgical candidate. Skin and fat is removed while repairing your muscle separation to give you a flat stomach. Hip dips can be improved by fat grafting or filler. I recommend that you schedule an in person consultation with your board certified surgeon. Best of luck!

Yes you need full tummy tuck, with liposuction in the waist and back, your dips will fix with fat transfer, your body shows the extra skin that you need to remove.

You need a full tummy tuck as a mini tummy tuck would not remove all the excess skin you have. In terms of your hips, after the tummy tuck you can do an extension posteriorly to pull up your lateral thighs.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello! Thank you for your question!
I think you would be best served by a full tummy tuck. You have stretch marks and skin laxity that are present to the upper abdomen - you would benefit from the more taut skin only a tummy tuck can provide.
The hip dip will be treated with a combination of the tummy tuck and waist liposuction. You will also see some lift of the side of the thigh.
You should be a great candidate for this procedure. I would recommend you see a board certified plastic surgeon for an assessment. Best of luck to you!

In person exam is essential. Based on limited photos and history of pregnancies - you appear to be a candidate for a full Abdominoplasty. Fat transfer can be performed to fill the hip dips. I suggest that you seek an experienced Board Certified PS

Dear Original753484,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because 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

Hi! This is a very common question, especially with patients that do not want a big scar or that might not have large amounts of excess skin and fat. Unfortunately, most patients still need a full tummy tuck for best results.

Patients that qualify for a mini TT usually have minimal excess skin on the very low part of their abdomen, with a high belly button and no excess skin around the belly button. Plus, it is very hard to perform full muscle repair with a mini TT so these patients tend to not need muscle repair.

So….
A full TT would get rid all the excess skin from about an inch above your belly button, down to your pubic area. This is the only way to get rid of most of your stretch marks as well. The ones above the belly button now, would be pulled down bellow the bikini line.
Plus, its the only way to perform proper muscle repair. And because the scar goes from side to side, skin excision on both ends of the scar plus lipo, will help get rid of the love handles.
These love handles accentuate your hip dips, so liposuction of the back, waist (love handles) and flanks plus fat grafting on the hip dips will certainly give you a nicer silhouette and nicer overall shape.

Conclusion. You need a Full Tummy Tuck with muscle repair, liposuction and fat transfer to hip dips for best results!

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota