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.

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.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Based on the photo you appear to have abdominal wall laxity both above and below your belly button.  I would recommend a standard tummy tuck versus a mini for optimal results.  I've included a video about mini tummy tucks that I hope you find helpful.

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.

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.

Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS · Answer

A mini tummy tuck is a safe and effective procedure that can create a more contoured abdomen, a tight waist and a beautiful figure.

	Patients who are ideal candidates for a mini tummy tuck are those that have limited skin damage, excess fat and it may or may not have loose muscles. A mini tummy tuck is characterized by a smaller incision then a full tummy tuck. We tell our patients that the length of the incision is largely determined by the amount of skin that they would like us to remove. If the patient has skin damage or stretch marks that are limited to just the very low abdomen or centrally, we can get away with using a very small incision. If the patient has extensive stretch marks it would be in their best interest to use a longer incision and remove them completely. Be sure you have a frank discussion with your plastic surgeon and inform them of your concerns and your aesthetic goals. This will help both of you create a surgical plan that will meet them.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

People often assume that a Mini Tummy Tuck is to a Full Tummy Tuck the way a small box of laundry detergent is to a large box of the same detergent - same results but smaller. That is NOT the case. In getting a Mini Tummy Tuck you are NOT getting the same results as a Full Tummy Tuck but in a smaller "box" - you are getting a smaller and VERY DIFFERENT RESULT.

	Very few women do well with just a Mini Tummy Tuck. The operation ONLY treats the tummy area below the belly button (although it may be combined with liposuction of the tummy above). It will NOT repair muscle separation or skin looseness above the belly button which are major areas of concern for most women I see in my practice.

Edward J. Domanskis, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

You should get improvement from those procedures. It is difficult to say because I have not seen you or a side photo. It will not be perfect and you would probably benefit from a full tummy tuck. I advise my younger patients that it is worth while to do a full tummy tuck in order to try and achieve the most improvement. I am offering a temporary price reduction on all cosmetic surgery and excelent financing. Watch my videos!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

From your photo you will likely be left disappointed by a mini tuck and lipo. Your upper abdomen needs muscle tightening and you won't get this without a full TT. Actually there are very few patients who are truly mini candidates. If all you do is a mini, your upper abdomen will project out more from the muscle tightening below the umbilicus and your upper abdomen may be lumpy and bumpy from overdone liposuction.

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