Do I still qualify for a mini tummy tuck? (Photo)

Liposuction and a lower abdominal tuck, aka 'mini' would do you a disservice with upper abdominal laxity and a slit shaped belly button. Just in case you're thinking that a 'mini' tummy tuck will leave you with a short scar, it won't. Any surgeon that is willing to do a lower abdominal tuck on you would still need a incision that spans most of the front of your abdominal area, 'hip to hip', because that's how far your redundant skin spans. Do the right thing or don't do anything.

A mini tummy tuck would provide only a mini-improvement in your appearance. A much better outcome could be achieved with a more standard procedure.

While a video would provide a better view of the skin's condition, based on the photos alone, the most appropriate initial approach I would recommend is a traditional tummy tuck. This involves an incision from hip bone to hip bone to effectively remove excess skin and perform muscle repair. Additionally, the procedure typically includes a pubic lift as the skin is pulled upward during surgery.

Thank you for your inquiry! By your photos, it looks like you would be a great candidate for an abdominoplasty to get rid of excess skin. The only difference in a mini vs a full abdominoplasty is how long the incision is. A mini tummy tuck is going to have a smaller incision than a full tummy tuck. Muscle repair, removal of excess skin, and liposuction are all included with both a mini and a full tummy tuck. I recommend scheduling a consult appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon like myself so we can create a surgical plan that is best for you and your goals!

Your best bet for the ideal aesthetic outcome would be a traditional tummy tuck. But honestly, I wouldn’t get too caught up in “mini” vs “traditional” tummy tuck. Both remove excess tissue and plicate (or tighten) the abdominal muscles that have been stretched out from pregnancy. Both have an abdominal scar that I personally try to make as low as possible, as to hide underneath a lower rise bikini bottom. The main difference is leaving the belly button in its current position or “floating it” versus creating a new position, which I think would give a better outcome in your particular case. I would typically perform liposuction of the flanks and upper abdomen and do abdominal etching to give a more svelte, contoured, and athletic-looking result to your abdomen. Hope this helps! Best of luck in your aesthetic journey!

Given the lack of presumed diastasis and muscle laxity, liposuction with a mini-tummy tuck will help tighten and clean up the lower tummy. Having said that, you have stretch marks above your umbilicus and the skin may be somewhat loose compared to the lower abdomen. An umbilical transposition (kind of like the skin aspect of a tummy tuck) can help in this regard. This can all be done in the same setting with local anesthesia, no drains and minimal down time. Something to consider. Thank you.

Dear Forceful844255,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because 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

Based on your photo, it appears that you have loose skin above your belly button. For this reason, a full tummy tuck would most likely be more suitable for you.

Thank you for your question. from your photos, I do not think a mini tummy tuck would give you the results you are really looking for. A mini tummy tuck removes loose skin below your belly button. A lower fascia location can be done but it would not address any muscle separation above the bellybutton. From the photo provided, a formal abdominoplasty with selective liposuction would give you a better result. This would remove more tissue and give you a better overall look, and can address the entire diastasis/muscle separation if you have one. However, to truly have a great result, you would benefit from additional weight loss. This would address intra-abdominal fat that cannot be addressed with a tummy tuck or liposuction. I hope this helps answer your question. I wish you the best on your journey!

Although you could do a mini tummy tuck, it would not help the excess or looseness of the skin above your belly button. It would only tighten your lower tummy. A full tummy tuck would give a flatter appearance to your whole tummy, above and below your belly button. Go for an in-person consultation so that your surgeon can explain it in more detail and then you can make a more informed decision. Best of luck!