Mini vs Float vs Full TT? (Photo)

Question

I had bodytite lipo and was left with indents and wavey scar on lower tummy. Surgeon says I can have a mini TT removing a few inches skin up to the wavey scar or have a float TT or Full TT but no extra skin above navel therefore extra vertical scar with not much benefit to tighten more skin. Riskier as there is scar tissue which may create necrosis, healing issues. I would like a tight tummy with thin flat scar and accept stretchmarks will mostly remain. What should I do?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Amanda78,

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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

A mini-tummy tuck is a good option to help improve your lower tummy. I would not hesitate to offer this to you. I would avoid an umbilical float though. If you have loose skin above the umbilicus, then I would recommend an umbilical transposition. No need for a full tummy tuck. Thank you.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

Hello; while you were previously in a situation that; was not suitable for Liposuction; on the cracked lower abdominal skin; where bodytite has been applied; while depressions and fluctuations occur; the loose abdominal skin tightened. Right now, even if desired; you do not have any loose skin left; that can be performed by normal Abdominoplasty or Lipoabdominoplasty. Depends on bodytite implementation; since connective tissue forms under the skin; the skin is less flexible than it appears. Therefore, you cannot reach for a good result; with neither floating umbilicus, Mini Abdominoplasty nor vertical scar abdominoplasty. My recommendation is; at least 3-4 years for the skin in order to loosen; unfortunately, you will have to wait.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Although I can't see the upper abdominal skin in the photo, it does show that your belly button is rather high. For that reason, a mini tummy tuck with umbi float is probably your best option. In your case, the belly button would be re-attached a bit lower, which would allow for more skin removal in the lower abdomen than could be done with a mini only. A full tummy tuck is too risky.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

You are in a precarious situation. But first, you need to know that a 'mini' tuck will only help the lower abdomen and leave the periumbilical and upper abdomen loose and wrinkled. Also, an umbilical float tummy tuck will leave your umbilicus in a bizarre location on your abdomen and still not properly tighten skin around and above your belly button. There is only one surgery that can properly fix all  your issues: a full tummy tuck. It doesn't matter that you have only limited skin excess above your belly button; getting the defect in the tummy skin out (the hole where it was attached to the belly button) with the excess skin is an unnecessary requirement that has led to millions of women from getting the right surgery, or getting the right surgery performed unaesthetically pleasing way. Instead, the hole in the skin can remain and be closed vertically, leaving a scar that is short, midline, low in the abdomen, and virtually inconspicuous, even when exposed in public while wearing a two piece bikini. The real issue is scar tissue. Energy based systems can lead to significant scarring that negatively affects or inhibits the surgeon's ability to elongate and stretch the skin during the procedure, and so this internal sheet of scar needs to be divided to allow skin tightening. Dividing scar can decrease circulation to the skin and lead to poor wound healing. Patients like you should who do undertake a full abdominoplasty should also get pre and post surgical hyperbaric oxygen to saturate the tissues with oxygen during the immediate healing phase. Go to a surgeon who is expert at these difficult surgeries.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I’ve seen this problem many times. You need a full tummy tuck. Neither a mini or float will give you a decent result,

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Removing excess skin would be the only way to achieving acceptable results. In my opinion, it would be necessary to dissect up to the rib cage so the entire abdominal skin could slide down uniformly, creating the smoothest result and allowing maximal skin removal. The secondary cases are difficult And it is important to remember that the tissue is scarred and won’t advance as much so I conservative approach is necessary in my opinion, and umbilical float technique might work for you given your anatomy

Andrew T. Cohen, MD, FACS · Answer

I would do a full tummy tuck.  You have a very high umbilicus so this would mean there would be a small vertical component to the scar.  But this is necessary because your incision will be very low.

Very common thing I see and fix all the time.

Good luck.

Andrew Cohen, MD

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It's difficult to say from the photo as you do not show the whole abdomen but it appears you will have a nice result from a standard tummy tuck.  The belly button does appear high on the abdomen so you may have a small vertical scar which would represent the closing of the belly button.  Visit with a few board certified plastic surgeons near you to learn more about your options.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question! Personally, I think that a full tummy tuck is your best option, but I can't see your upper belly from the photos. I would suggest getting a couple of opinions from qualified plastic surgeons. Good luck!