Is a mini tummy tuck enough to minimize my shelf? (photos)

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. A skin wedge would only remove the excess skin if you're not interested in muscle repair. 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!

Looking at your photos, it does appear that some liposuction with a mini-tt (or lower abdominal skin excision) will take care of the contour and excess skin. This can be done with an oral cocktail of pills and local tumescent anesthesia which will minimize down time and risk. No drains needed and resume activity as tolerated. Thank you, I hope this helps.

Hello, with a tummy tuck you are going to remove that extra skin, important in your case that your surgeon makes the scar quite low

A mini tummy tuck can make an improvement but you would get better improvement from a full tummy tuck.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear Modest901890,
a mini tummy tuck is great if you are just looking to flatten the skin below the belly button. It does nothing for the skin above the belly button.
A full tummy tuck address all of the skin laxity and abdominal wall laxity. It repositions your umbilicus as well. It costs more and has more downtime associated then either of the above.
I would recommend consulting with a plastic surgeon that can go over in detail these three options and spends time answering your questions.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It is possible (though hard to tell from photos alone) that you could get the improvement you want from a mini tummy tuck without muscle repair. However the recovery and cost won't be much different than with a full tummy tuck (assuming no muscle repair) and the mini won't improve the upper abdomen at all.

A mini tummy tuck can eliminate the hanging skin and fat that forms your “shelf”, however it may leave you with a mid-section that bulges above your belly button. If you’re okay with this, then a mini tummy tuck may be sufficient.

Yes, you seem to be excellent candidate for abdominoplasty and liposuction of abdomen. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon or a teleconference, should be your next step. Good luck.

Thank you for your question. I think that your results with a mini tummy tuck would not be ideal and, if you are not concerned about bulging from not having a muscle repair, an abdominoplasty without muscle repair could get rid of the most skin possible while still offering you a more comfortable recovery.

it sounds like you may be a good candidate for a mini tuck (also known as a mini abdominoplasty) procedure to address the shelf that you are experiencing in your lower abdomen.

During a mini tuck, the surgeon will make a small incision above the pubic area and remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. The abdominal muscles may also be tightened to create a flatter and smoother appearance. The procedure is less invasive than a full tummy tuck, and it typically involves a shorter recovery period.

However, it is important to have a consultation with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon to assess your specific case and determine whether a mini tuck is the best option for you. They can evaluate your overall health, skin elasticity, and other factors to recommend the most appropriate treatment plan to help you achieve your desired results.

I hope this helps,
best of luck !