I have loose skin on my stomach from multiple pregnancies -- would I need a full or mini tummy tuck? (Photos)

A Tummy Tuck is a procedure to correct the effects of pregnancy or weight loss. A tummy tuck is frequently combined with liposuction of the abdomen and waist. Good candidates for a tummy tuck are in good health and have reached a stable weight. I do not advise tummy tucks for those who are unable to stop smoking. A tummy tuck will correct: 1. Loose skin and stretch marks of the lower abdomen 2. Abdominal bulge resulting from separation of the abdominal muscle (diastasis recti) 3. Localized fat deposits of the abdomen and waist Hernias of the abdominal wall may be corrected at the time of a tummy tuck, but are not part of the tummy tuck procedure. Generally, a tummy tuck is recommend for women after having their last child. I recommend surgery 6 months after your last baby. I would recommend a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Best regards, Andrew Lyos, MD, FACS

A full tummy tuck with muscle plication would produce the best result for you based upon the pictures presented.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Thanks for sharing your photos.You are better off with a full tummy tuck. A mini TT will not address the problem hence will not help you achieve your aesthetic goal. Your abdominal separation and the resulting bulge is the main issue. Skin excess is the secondary one. It is for this reason the RF skin tightening will not be effective. A small hernia can be hard to find as when you lie down, it will go back in. The hernia can be fixed at the time of the TT.

Hello Juliett,
thank you for your question andphotographs.
 You will require full tummy tuck for the abdomen.
Small hernia reduces on lying down position so may not be visible during sonography.  We repair hernia during tummy tuck surgery
 Please consult board certified plastic surgeon and discuss.Best of luck .
Dr Milan Doshi

 Thank you for the question and pictures. Based on your pregnancy history and photographs you will do best with a full tummy tuck operation. In my practice, I would not offer you a mini tuck operation. Non invasive modalities will not help.
Generally speaking, the “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable, has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her, is capable of arranging enough recovery time, does not smoke and who has reached a long-term stable weight.
In my opinion, the mini tummy tuck is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For example, the area of skin excised is quite small. The abdominal wall musculature is addressed below the umbilicus leaving the upper number wall potentially lax. The appearance of the umbilicus is not necessarily addressed sufficiently.
For the vast majority of patients who have had pregnancies and/or weight loss a full abdominoplasty is necessary to achieve the desired results. 
When the time is right, seek consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience helping patients achieve the types of outcomes you would be pleased with.  Best wishes.

The greatest separation of the abdominal wall and need for tightening is typically in the lower abdomen  below the umbilicus.  That is where the maximum stretching of pregnancy occurs.  It is not uncommon to feel a weak spot that has not yet developed a true hernia.  The hernia occurs when intra-abdominal contents push through the weak spot. When we tighten the abdominal wall, that is usually all that is required for a repair.There is loose skin above the umbilicus and the weakness of the stretched or bulging abdominal wall which hides loose skin of the lower abdomen. Therefore, a full abdominoplasty is what will get the best result.  Good luck

Based on your photos and pregnancy history, you would need a full tummy tuck.  A mini tuck would be a waste of your time and money.  Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for an in person evaluation to discuss your options.