Will a Mini Tummy Tuck with Lipo Be Enough?

Question

Hello there..Im a mom of 3 and I have decided to have a mommy makeover. The full tummy tuck scar scared me, so I decided to go with the mini tummy tuck with lipo on my love handles and tummy. My question is..do you think this will be enough to fix my busted tummy..lol:)

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Mini-abdominoplasty tightens the lower abdominal wall muscles and removes redundant skin below the umbilicus, belly button, only. The shortest scar technique leaves a scar at the pubic hair line. Liposuction may be used alone or in conjunction with a tummy tuck to benefit selected patients
‘Mini” tummy tucks can benefit patients who have a small amount of excess skin and fat or protruding of the lower abdomen. This operation may be done under local anesthesia with sedation, on an outpatient basis. Liposuction may be used alone or in conjunction with a tummy tuck to benefit selected patients.
‘Mini” tummy tucks can benefit patients who have a small amount of excess skin and fat or protruding of the lower abdomen (below the belly button). This operation may be done under local anesthesia with sedation, on an outpatient basis. Liposuction may be used alone or in conjunction with a tummy tuck to benefit selected patients.
Far more important than deciding if a mini tummy tuck is for you is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather than the technique and let him explain why one technique may be better than another and if you need a tummy tuck. Many board certified plastic surgeons provide a free first time consult and you should take advantage of that!
See the below link on some suggestions on finding the most qualified Plastic Surgeon for you!
I have also attached a video for a possible Tummy Tuck Candidate.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and picture.

	I think you will do much better with a full tummy tuck procedure.

	A few words of caution for future patients contemplating tummy tuck surgery may be in order:  In my opinion, the mini tummy talk 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 most patients who have had pregnancies and/or weight loss a full abdominoplasty is necessary to achieve the desired results. Of course, there are downsides (including a longer scar and probably a longer recovery time) but for most patients the benefits outweigh the downsides. It is not unusual to see patients who've had mini tummy tuck  surgery present for  revisionary surgery. It is important  for patients seeking abdominal contouring surgery to work with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon to obtain advice (based on good ethics and judgment) to  improve  their chances of a successful outcome and minimize the need for further surgery.

	  I hope this helps.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

In my humble opinion you would get an optimal result with a Full tummy tuck but could undergo something in between a full and a mini which I call a midi tummy tuck where the belly button is "floated". See the video in the link below for a description.

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

With just one picture to go by, it is hard to tell which will work better for you.  I cannot tell if you have poor or good tone to the abdominal wall, excess intraabdominal fat, etc.  However, based on just your picture, I think you will get a reasonable result with a mini-tuck and lipo.  Just remember that the results will never be as strong as a full tummy-tuck.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You look like you would  more likely benefit from a full tummy tuck rather than a mini tummy tuck.  But an exam would give me the answer.

Will a Mini Tummy Tuck with Lipo Be Enough?

Answers (9)

Answer: Mini vs Full Abdominoplasty

Answer: Mini vs Full Abdominoplasty

Answer: Mini-tummy tuck

Answer: Mini-tummy tuck

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Mini Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Will a Mini Tummy Tuck with Lipo Be Enough?

Answers (9)

Answer: Mini vs Full Abdominoplasty

Answer: Mini vs Full Abdominoplasty

Answer: Mini-tummy tuck

Answer: Mini-tummy tuck

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Mini Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.