Full tummy tuck vs umbilical float? (Photos)

Question

I’ve had several consults but drastically different opinions. Some same I don’t have enough skin for a tummy tuck and recommmed a reverse or umbilical float where as others have said I have too much upper laxity and would end up with an abnormally low belly button and recommend a full. I have spent over 10k on noninvasive abd nothings helped much.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Can be frustrating- in my experience, a traditional, full tummy tuck gives the best results.

In similar cases, scar may have to be a little higher to avoid a T or the old belly button area showing as a small up and down scar above.

The other options do not address upper and lower abdomen evenly and can distort your belly.

Keep consulting with your/a plastic surgeon until you feel comfortable.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I believe you are a candidate for a full tummy tuck as you have a lot of extra excess skin that will need to be resected.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

From your photographs, it seems you would be an excellent candidate for a full tummy tuck.  I think most of my patients would be very disappointed with a tight lower abdomen and very loose skin above the bellybutton.  A float technique only allows less than an inch of tightening of the upper abdomen skin, and it seems you are pinching at least a few times that much.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. None of us wants to have surgery if it can be avoided by doing non-surgical treatments. Unfortunately, many of these require multiple treatments over weeks to months to complete, done in medspas where the promise is high and delivery is low. This might be true in physician offices too (any medical specialty can buy a machine). A full abdominoplasty would correct your abdominal wall concerns. A belly button can be floated for about 2 cm, beyond that it will end up positioned too low. You also have significant upper abdomen fullness most likely secondary to muscle separation (photo #6 where you pull in the abdominal muscles and see the horizontal skin folds). See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I think there is enough extra skin for a full tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck won’t give you much improvement. I don’t like the concept of umbilical float

Richard R. Orr, MD · Answer

Just looking at your photos, it does not look like you have much fat at all.  You obviously have fat in the lower abdomen, and some in the upper abdomen due to the skin tenting over your umbilicus.  Don't do a reverse tummy tuck.  That typically leaves a very poor scar, and will not effectively tighten up the lower abdomen.  Your choices are a full tummy tuck, or a mini-tummy tuck with umbilical float.  I would sit down with you, explain the differences, show you photos of each, and then you and I would decide.  There are definite pros and cons.  
A full tummy tuck would get your entire abdomen tight.  It would leave you with a scar around your belly button, probably a short vertical scar down low, and a long low side-to-side scar, that could be hidden under any swimwear you might choose.  I typically keep my low transverse scars quite low, for the more revealing swimwear, or panty.  I have even done this in the exotic dancers who work in a thong.  
A mini-abdominoplasty would avoid the short vertical scar and scar around the umbilicus, but would lower your umbilicus.  This would give you the option to do some liposuction with relatively low risk if you needed that.  A hand on your stomach, not photos, would be needed to see if the benefit for lipo is there.
I would then show you photos of many of the umbilical floats I have done and see if the low umbilicus is an issue. I have been doing this surgery for 35 years in solo practice and have helped hundreds of women.  The right plastic surgeon should be able to get you there as well.  
Look at photos of both.  Determine in your own mind whether the scars or the lower umbilicus are your best option.  See a physician who has lots of photos of both.  My biggest suggestion is to avoid the reverse abdominoplasty!
Good luck to you!

Full tummy tuck vs umbilical float? (Photos)

Answers (6)

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