38, female, 5'5 and 170 lbs.Do I need a tummy tuck, mini tuck, or just lipo? (Photos)

Hi! Great question as this body type is incredibly common! In my opinion, a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is the best solution. Although you do not have a significant skin excess, the C-section scar is tethering your lower abdomen giving a "pooch" that will not get better with liposuction alone. Also, you likely have some rectus diastasis which is when your "6 pack" muscles spread apart in the midline, giving you a wider, boxy shaped abdomen. This requires surgical repair to correct. Finally, a tummy tuck will remove the small amount of excess skin, giving you a slim, fit figure. I very rarely recommend a mini-abdominoplasty and reserve this for cases where the lower abdomen or c-section scar is the only issue to be treated. -In good healthAlex Neusner, MDBeverly Hills, CA

From your photographs, it seems that liposuction will not be much of a help, except perhaps for local contouring with another procedure. And in person exam is truly required to make a good estimation, but it looks like a tummy tuck would allow for muscle tightening and skin removal and may give you the best results. A mini tummy tuck might help, but you may be disappointed with the results. You could consider a consultation with a plastic surgeon so you can better determine which operation may best achieve your expectations. Good luck.

Muscle repair during a tummy tuck is usually only required when the abdominal muscles have separated, which most often happens after pregnancy. Since you have not carried a pregnancy, it is unlikely that you have a diastasis recti, and your prior surgery and scar alone do not create a need for muscle repair.
What matters more in your case is completing your weight loss and then evaluating how much loose skin remains. If skin laxity is significant, a tummy tuck can remove the excess and give you the smoother contour you are looking for. If the muscles are intact, the procedure can be performed without a repair.
I have also shared a detailed video where I explain how surgeons decide whether muscle repair is needed, with patient examples showing results both with and without it.
— Güray Yesiladali, MD

Given your physical condition, I understand that since you don't have children, it's possible to have 4K liposculpture and a mini abdominoplasty. With this, you would obtain a flat abdomen without sagging skin and a suitable silhouette.

Thank you for your photos. With no prior pregnancies, unless you have been very overweight previously, it’s unlikely that you would require repair of a diastasis of your muscles. The least invasive option to flatten your abdomen and waistline would be liposuction. My only concern would be, you appear to have some looseness of the lower part of your abdomen and this would not likely improve after the liposuction and may require a small skin tightening procedure such as a mini tummy tuck. Adding the mini tummy tuck would allow tightening of the muscles of your lower abdomen, if they were loose, to maximize the flattening of your abdomen. An in person examination would clarify these concerns. Best wishes.

In your side view, you can see your abdomen is protruding anteriorly. If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you would benefit from abdominoplasty with liposuction. Lipoabdominoplasty will help with the lower abdomen and achieve that "smooth" look you mentioned. If there is any muscle separation (diastasis), it is also repaired at the same time. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will help you define your goals and offer a treatment plan that aligns with those goals. Good luck on your journey!

From the photos you look like a great candidate for a standard tummy tuck with liposuction for contouring. This will address excess fat and skin as well as correct any abdominal wall laxity. The result will be flatter, tighter tummy. Once you have reached your weight loss goal and are able to maintain it schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.

I would recommend performing a mini abdominoplasty in combination with Vaser liposuction around the waistline. This surgical approach is designed to achieve a flatter, more refined abdominal contour.
The incision for the mini tummy tuck can be strategically placed at the level of your existing C-section scar, which helps to minimize the appearance of any additional visible scarring.

I have reviewed your photos. As we can see, you already have a C-section scar. In my opinion, the most suitable surgery for you would be a combination of 360 liposuction and what we call a mini tummy tuck, involving skin excision.
Your previous ectopic pregnancy, unless it was at a very advanced gestational week — which is rare as ectopic pregnancies are usually diagnosed early — likely did not cause any muscle detachment. Therefore, I don’t think muscle repair is necessary in your case.
However, with 360 liposuction and a mini tummy tuck, we can target and reduce the subcutaneous fat and also improve the loose skin, especially the excess below your belly button.
That’s why, from a medical standpoint, I recommend a 360 liposuction combined with a mini tummy tuck