Mini Tuck - will this provide an improvement from what I currently have? (Photo)

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!

Given your photos and expectations, liposuction with a mini-tummy tuck will make a dramatic difference and I would not hesitate to offer. This is done with local tumescent anesthesia and an oral cocktail of pills so you do not have to go asleep, no drains and a very reasonable recovery with return to work in 3-5 days. This is an excellent option for you. Thank you.

Dear VictoriaSanchez,
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

Hi Victoria,
For a subset of patients with more skin laxity and excess in the lower abdomen than the upper, a mini tummy tuck can be a great alternative with a shorter scar and quicker recovery. Results can be further enhanced with sculpting liposuction combined with tightening of the remaining abdominal skin using a radiofrequency energy device such as Renuvion (J-Plasma). While the results will not be quite the same as a full tummy tuck, the procedure can provide great enhancement and deliver a smooth abdominal silhouette when performed properly in the right patient.
Best,
Dr. Zamani

Thanks for your question and the photos you provided. If you want a mini tuck, you will sacrifice loose skin to the upper abdomen that may hood over your belly button. This can happen after liposuction. Since your natural belly button will obscured, you might as well get the full tummy tuck as recommended. Good luck! Make sure you have your procedure performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.

You need a complete tummy tuck, you have to repair muscles and remove all the skin, a less invasive procedure will leave a very bad result

With a mini tummy tuck alone, you will most likely be left with a bulge of fat and sagging skin above your belly button.

I am not sure which of two series of photos represent your current situation. A personson on first 2 photos would need a full TT and aggressive liposuction; condition on next 3 photos could, probably, be resolved with mini TT (without BB transposition) and agressive liposuction. Your photos look confusing but I hope this info will help.

The best result is with a tummy tuck. It will remove all the excess skin and tighten your muscle for a flat profile. However it has the drawbacks of a scar around the umbilicus and across the lower abdomen. The mini tummy tuck scar may be slightly smaller but not much. A mini tummy tuck with lipo 360 would be the 2nd best option.

'Airsculpt Ellite Body Sculpture' is a fancy name for liposuction. Long ago companies eager to get into the cosmetic surgery business realized that fancy names sound 'better' to consumers making them more apt to use a surgeon who markets their machine. Remember, it's not the machine, it's the surgeon that matters. So, it's just a 'debulking' the tissue like liposuction, and it will leave you with even more relative skin excess like liposuction. As for mini vs full, you have significant muscle wall laxity and skin laxity that extends both above and below your belly button. Your belly button already is being obscured by excess skin, making it look like a slit. These are all contraindications for a mini tuck, but you would have a amazing transformation with a full tuck. Go to a surgeon who will give you a super low incision, and a small and deep belly button.