Am I good candidate for a mini or full tummy tuck? (photos)

The standard tummy tuck would give you the best result. This would give your surgeon the opportunity to more completely correct abdominal wall laxity and address loose skin and excess fat. The result would be a flatter, tighter tummy. You appear to be a good candidate. See a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

The first question is if you have diastasis from four pregnancies. Diastasis is a process where the fascia (normally thick, narrow and tight) in the middle of the upper tummy stretches to accept the growing baby. The fascia will recover to varying degrees, but with more pregnancies, it can get wider and wider. An in person exam will help determine if this is a factor in your decision making. If you do not have significant diastasis, then liposuction with skin excision and umbilical transposition is a great option with less downtime and risk.

Mini tummy tucks usually address the abdomen from the umbilicus to the pubic area. In my opinion, the best way to get a flat abdomen would be to repair the separation in the muscle all the way to your breast bone (sternum) which most doctors consider as a regular tummy tuck. Just tightening the muscle from the umbilicus down would not give you a good result. When you see your plastic surgeon, make sure you understand what he/she is doing since different doctors may use different names for the same operation. Best of luck.
Dr.Liszka