Mini tummy tuck - Will it get rid of apron when bending over? (photos)

Dear atomic87,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Would recommend that you consider a short-scar TT.  A short-scar tummy tuck is right for patients who have loose skin, residual fat, and drooping muscle tissue in the abdominal area. 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. To make sure that the results of the procedure last, many doctors ask that patients maintain a steady body weight for six months prior to the procedure and maintain their weight after the procedure.
The recovery period for a short-scar tummy tuck is shorter than that of a traditional tummy tuck. Generally, patients require only one or two weeks to recover before returning to work. Patients are advised not to perform strenuous exercises for four to six weeks after the surgery.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

It looks like you could get a significant improvement with a mini tummy tuck, but whether it will meet your expectations is another question. If you can truly accept no improvement in the appearance of loose skin in the upper abdomen and around the belly button, then you might be a candidate for a mini.

Hello and thank-you for your question and photos.
A mini tummy-tuck is an excellent option for individuals with an abdominal bulge due to muscle weakness, fat accumulation, and mild skin laxity. Whether or not you are a candidate is best determined by an in person consultation. With this procedure, liposuction is performed, the muscles are tightened, and a small amount of skin is removed. The procedure is termed "mini" due to the fact that less skin is removed and the scar is slightly shorted than that of a full tummy-tuck. As a mini tummy-tuck removes less skin than a full tummy-tuck, there is less tightening of the abdomen compared to a full tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck does not tighten the skin above the umbilicus. The incision of both mini and full tummy-tuck are designed low in the bikini line to be hidden by even minimal clothing. A full tummy tuck will give a better result when:
1.There is more than just a little bit of looseness due pregnancies or weight loss. 2. Significant abdominal muscle weakness due to separation (diastasis) 3. Stretch marks in the lower abdomen. 4. Distortion of the belly-button 5. Significant fatty accumulation is the abdomen requiring more liposuction.
The incision for a full tummy tuck is slightly longer than that of a mini, but the abdomen is much tighter. Mini tummy tuck is an excellent option for candidates who meet these criteria. For the majority of women, a full tummy tuck is a better option. On this site, the patient satisfaction rate for a full tummy tuck is 97%. This compares to 89% for mini tummy-tucks. A mini tummy-tuck is an excellent option for an appropriate candidate. The difference in satisfaction rates most likely represents our attempts to stretch the indications and offer a mini-tummy tuck for individuals who would have done better with a full tummy tuck. I am currently using a new technology for skin tightening that is very promising for tightening the skin of the tummy, avoiding a scar altogether.  The J-plasma (Cool Helium Plasma)  is a minimally invasive technique combined with liposuction that is producing significant tightening.  I would recommend a consultation with a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic surgery and has extensive experience in body contouring.
I hope this information helps you and best of luck!
Andrew Lyos, MD, FACS

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph.  Nothing replaces an in-person examination to offer you the best advice but remember that optimizing a tummy tuck result is based on addressing both your underlying musculature as well as the overlying skin and fat.  If your issues are limited to the lower abdomen alone that a mini-tummy tuck may be an option, if it involves the full length of your stomach then a full may be required.  See a series of ASPS board certified plastic surgeons in consultation to discuss. 

Thanks for your question.  A mini tummy tuck is effective in removing a lot of skin from the lower abdomen, but in certain positions the person might still notice residual skin laxity.  Enough skin must be left behind to permit the person to stand fully straight, so this means then they bend over it could still be a little loose.  Often after childbirth the skin loses some of its elasticity, and it won't stretch and rebound the same way.

Dear Atomic,   Thanks for posting your pictures. From observing your pictures, you appear to have abdominal skin and muscles laxity from the chest bone to the pubic bone with vert large diasthesis recti (muscles separation) of the upper abdomen.   I have been in practice for over 30 years and performed tummy tuck surgery on well over 1000 patients. Based on that experience and your pictures, I can tell you that it will be regretful compromise for you to have mini tummy tuck. You are in very good shape and the mini tummy tuck will make you very unhappy and eventually you will ask for full tummy tuck with doubling the cost and recovery time.    Full tummy tuck will be one of the best investment in yourself. It will increase your confidence, your self esteem, your sense of femininity and will make shopping fun... The tummy tuck will give you flat stomach, tight and youthful looking skin, nice belly button and improved body posture.    You have to realize that not all results are the same, because experience, technical skills and aesthetic eye are critical for good outcome. So, do your due diligence carefully and choose your surgeon wisely.    Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with the above mentioned features and low scar.                      Best of luck,                                  Dr Widder

Concerns about the appearance of the abdomen are very common among patients consulting with a plastic surgeon. Just like every patient is different…so too is every abdomen. Different problems require different solutions. Your board certified plastic surgeon is uniquely trained to identify the problems as well as the appropriate solution.
The abdomen is commonly addressed via liposuction or abdominoplasty (“tummy – tuck”). Which procedure is best is dependent upon the source of the problem. 
Excess fat deposits underneath the skin can be addressed via liposuction. Liposuction will not address any other issues and may worsen the situation if there are other factors at play (such as skin excess and muscle laxity, see below)
Commonly patients concerns are centered around issues of excess skin as well as fat. A third factor, which is often overlooked by most patients is abdominal wall muscle laxity (typically seen in post partum mommies).  The tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate excess skin and fat and tighten the muscles in the abdominal wall to create a smoother and slimmer contour. The tummy tuck is designed to target areas of the abdomen that have not responded to diet and exercise, making it particularly popular among people that have a lot of loose or sagging skin around the abdominal area due to significant weight loss, as well as women with excess skin and stretched abdominal muscles following pregnancy and childbirth. 
Candidates for tummy tuck should be already at or near their ideal weight for optimal results. It is recommended to women that are planning on becoming pregnant to postpone the procedure until they are finished having children.
A mini-abdominoplasty is a short scar abdominoplasty. Optimal candidates have minimal skin excess localized below the level of the umbilicus (belly button). The major benefit of the procedure is the shorter scar burden. Alternatively, the drawback to the procedure is it's minimal access nature. The shorter scar and the upper limit of dissection (belly button) limits the opportunity to tighten the muscle as you only have access to the lower 1/3 of the muscle in the midline for plication (unless you float/detach the umbilicus which can only be performed in cases of minimal infraumbilical skin excess). 
Based upon your photos alone, you may be a candidate for a mini-abdominoplasty. This would address lax skin below the belly button. This, however, would not allow for muscle tightening. It is unclear if there is any muscle laxity (best appreciated during an in-person exam/consultation). Another, less invasive alternative, would be RF tightening (BodyTite/Thermitite).
As always discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

A mini tummy tuck, also known as a partial abdominoplasty, can help improve the appearance of the lower abdomen, but its effectiveness in addressing an “apron” when bending over may vary depending on individual factors. It typically focuses on removing excess skin and tightening muscles in the lower abdominal area.
However, the degree to which it eliminates the apron when bending over depends on factors like the amount of excess skin and fat, skin elasticity, and the specific surgical technique used. It’s essential to consult with a plastic surgeon who can assess your specific situation and discuss the expected outcomes and limitations of a mini tummy tuck for your particular case.

An in person evaluation is always best, but you may be a candidate for a mini tummy tuck. It will address the loose skin below your belly button, but it is important to discuss with a board certified plastic surgeon what it can and cannot do. Together you can determine the approach that is best for you. I've included a video that I hope you find helpful.