Mom of 3, 28, 5'3", 139lbs, what's going on here? Would a mini-TT help? (Photos)

Hello @nikkyg123, 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. I link a video to shed more light. 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).

Thank you for your inquiry! By your photos, it looks like you would be a great candidate for an abdominoplasty to get rid of any excess skin and also repair your diastasis recti from pregnancy. The only difference in a mini vs a full abdominoplasty is how long the incision is. A mini tummy tuck is going to have a smaller incision than a full tummy tuck. Muscle repair, removal of excess skin, and liposuction are all included with both a mini and a full tummy tuck. I recommend scheduling a consult appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon like myself so we can create a surgical plan that is best for you and your goals!

Gleaning from your photos, I would bet you do have significant diastasis causing rounding of your tummy muscles. Your umbilicus looks stretched as well which is additional evidence of diastasis. If so, then a full abdominoplasty will be needed to address the diastasis. Of course, an in-person exam by an experienced body plastic surgeon will help in decision making. Thank you and I hope this helps.

Hello, only with the photos you can see that the abdominal muscles are flaccid, they need to be repaired, make them firmer so that your abdomen looks flat

A mini tummy tuck would not be helpful. Your abdominal wall is quite weak from the 3 pregnancies. If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear nikkyg123,
a mini tummy tuck is great if you are just looking to flatten the skin below the belly button. It does nothing for the skin above the belly button.
A full tummy tuck address all of the skin laxity and abdominal wall laxity. It repositions your umbilicus as well. It costs more and has more downtime associated then either of the above.
I would recommend consulting with a plastic surgeon that can go over in detail these three options and spends time answering your questions.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Given the pictures, you are likely a good candidate for tummy tuck as the skin will not correct itself with exercise or weight loss. A short scar tummy tuck would remove loose skin, tighten the muscles, and remove the stretchmarks below the navel with a short scar. The shorter scar it leaves is the same length as that of the mini tummy tuck. Ideal patients have to be in general good health and somewhere close to their ideal body weight. A healthy lifestyle is a must, both before and after the procedure.

You could have a mini tummy tuck. Just don’t expect too much out of it. I’ve done it on women like you. Some are pleased. Many are disappointed. Keep your expectations modest

Thank you for your question and photos. Based on these photos, you do have fullness above the belly button as well and a mini tummy tuck will not correct this. I'm sure you have some diastesis and also stretching of the fascia. Do not believe that you have intra-abdominal fat ( if you lie down and your stomach is flat, you do not have significant intra-abdominal fat. If you raise your head off the bed and your abdomen bulges, you have diastesis and/or fascial laxity). BTW, a mini TT does not mean a mini incision! Also, if a mini is done with a BB float, this will end up unnaturally low if upper abdominal skin looseness is to be avoided.
You would do well with a full abdominoplasty and muscle tightening via a low pubic bone level incision. See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Providing that you do not have clinically confirmed diastasis, liposuction of abdomen may be good solution. If diastasis is present and need repair, liposuction, small excission of skin with "floating BB" (mini TT) may be a good option. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is recommended. Good luck.