Converting mini tummy tuck to full - is it possible? (Photos)

Question

49 yo fit female; Last year made a mistake by choosing mini TT and want to try to do full TT with plication. Is it possible? Does it depend on how much skin is lax above umbilicus or how much skin is stretchable below? Planning a BBL this year and want to see if I can get TT at same time or months after BBL

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. Based on your history and phots, a full tummy tuck is possible. The muscle plication can be done through your short TT scar with special instrumentation. If you are planning to do a BBL first, that is a good plan. Your surgeon can do lipo 360 and transfer the fat to the buttocks/hip dips. This might give you more loose skin over the abdomen and more options to your surgeon for the tummy tuck planning. See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

A full tuck is available to essentially anyone who has expansion of skin around or above the belly button, even when excess skin above the bellybutton is not significant. In those situations, many plastic surgeons tell the prospective patient that they cannot have a full tuck because there is 'not enough skin'. This simply isn't true when there is no concern for getting the hole in the skin out from where it was attached to the belly button. Instead, simply closing it and leaving a short vertical scar allows the surgeon to maximize results and proceed with a full tummy tuck. The other benefit of not trying prioritizing removing the hole is placing the long scar in the best possible place: very low! The two most important features of a beautiful and natural tummy tuck is a natural belly button and a low scar. The presence of a short vertical scar in the lower part of the belly never registers and can be seen in public without notice.

Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS · Answer

Without an in-person examination, it is really hard to say if you would be able to convert.  There does not appear to be a significant amount of tissue above your belly button and so this might be challenging.

One option is the TrueTuck Tummy Tuck.  Because I use quilting/shaping sutures to pull the skin flaps down and in on tension, I am often able to get another 5-10 cm of extra skin and so have been able to accomplish this.  However, without seeing you in person and actually gauging the amount of laxity, it's really hard to know.

I hope that helps and with you the very best in your surgical journey!

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It would be very difficult to suggest full tummy tuck based on these photos. In person consultation with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon is recommended. Good luck.

Converting mini tummy tuck to full - is it possible? (Photos)

Answers (4)

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