Full Tummy Tuck, mini or just liposuction - how do you think I'd look? (photos)

Question

I recently had 3 consultants for a tummy tuck. I had 3 children all c sections. Im pretty fit and weigh 116lbs. One recommended a mini w lipo and flanks, muscle repair below belly button. One recommended full tuck full repair lipo including flanks One recommended full tuck, leaving a smal vertical scar fr existing belly button, lipo and flanks or just doing lipo only (safe lipo) So confused How do you think id look w a mini or just lipo

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @betterboobsforme, thank you for your question. thank you for your question and showing your pictures. Ideally, a patient should undergo a personalized consultation with a surgeon, during which a surgical plan tailored to the patient's expectations will be presented. That said, from your pictures an option can be a mini tummy tuck modified lipectomy that leaves a small scar and improve all aspects of your appearance. For more information and recommendations, it is best to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether a full tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck, or abdominal liposuction would best suit your needs. Please remember that plastic surgery is an art, not an exact science, and the best method for achieving optimal results can vary greatly depending on the patient's anatomy and the surgeon's expertise.

Different plastic surgeons might recommend different approaches based on their experience and what they believe will provide the best results for you. In my opinion, considering your lateral view, I believe a full tummy tuck with muscle plication and some minimal flank liposuction would yield the best outcome.

This recommendation is based on the visible abdominal distention which seems to indicate weakened abdominal muscles due to your pregnancies. Therefore, muscle repair is essential, and concurrently, removal of excess skin and fat is recommended.

However, all these suggestions are just opinions, and the ultimate decision should be made after careful consultation with your plastic surgeon. They will provide the guidance you need based on your personal circumstances and desired outcomes.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Looking at the photos you have provided I would recommend a fully tummy tuck with a bit of liposuction on the love handle area.  Most patients after a c section and after multiple children would need a tummy tuck to help repair the diastasis of the abdominal wall muscles.  If you chose to do a mini tummy tuck and didn't repair the muscles above the belly button I would be nervous that you may look like you are bulging up on top.  You may end up with a small vertical incision from the incision around the belly button, but they typically heal very nicely.  I would suggest speaking with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and discussing your options, concerns and goals.  Best of luck to you.

Geuris Cruz Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thank you so much for your question @betterboobsforme. Based on your pictures you are a good candidate for a full tummy tuck with muscle repair, this procedure can definitely help you to fix the diastasis after your 3 pregnancies' and give you a flat abdomen combine this with liposuction in your waist and flanks. 
Best of luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear betterboobsforme,
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

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You are a great candidate for mini-tummy tuck and liposuction of the abdomen and flanks. You may get varying options on how to approach this problem, but ultimately you will need to choose the one/combination that suits your needs and situation best.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and series of photographs. Nothing replaces an in-person examination, but I think you would most benefit from a full tummy tuck and liposuction of your waist and flanks. The tummy tuck will tighten your stomach muscles, helping to achieve a flatter appearance, while removing excess skin and adipose tissue. Liposuction can be used to enhance your tummy tuck results by narrowing your waist and removing isolated areas of diet and exercise resistant fat. I would favor the full approach because it appears that your skin and muscle laxity is present above and below your belly button but you are at risk of having an additional vertical scar due to the limited amount of loose skin. Hope that this helps

David Light, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photos, it looks like you have some laxity in your abdominal skin and a lower abdominal bulge...likely a diastasis. Liposuction would certainly help, but would not tighten the rectus muscles and repair the diastasis and therefore I think you would get a more dramatic result with a mini abdominoplasty and liposuction. A full tummy tuck is also an option but you may end up with a vertical scar from the belly button incision just above the lower transverse scar. You should review before and after photos with a board certified plastic surgeon and have them show you examples of patients that they performed mini and full tummy tucks on to see what they are able to achieve with each procedure. I hope this helps. 
Best of Luck,David Light, MD, FACS

Felix Omar Márquez, MD · Answer

Hello, thanks for your question and photos. You are a great candidate for Mini Tummy Tuck. Liposuction with J-Plasma is a great option, but the extraction of saggy skin in your lower abdomen will make better results. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a physical exam. Good luck!

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

I would suggest starting with liposuction of the abdomen and flanks. Even if you choose a tuck later, you will still have flatter results since the excess fat will be removed. If you do not want the scar from the tuck, consider EMSculpt to help tighten your abdominal muscles.

Full Tummy Tuck, mini or just liposuction - how do you think I'd look? (photos)

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