What type of abdominal procedure would work best? Tummy tuck versus mini tummy tuck versus liposuction? (Photo)

A tummy tuck is an operation designed to correct loose abdominal skin of the entire abdomen. The vast majority of the times the abdominal muscles are tied together and some liposuction is done to contour. A mini tummy tuck is more of a lower abdominal skin operation. Based on the pictures, you have a significant amount of lax in your entire abdomen. You have a very marked crease in your lower abdomen. If you were to try to “force “a mini tummy, tuck, would most likely end up abnormally low and additionally, you would not get a significant improvement in your upper abdominal loose skin. I would strongly recommend a full tummy tuck with reconstruction of the abdominal muscles, removal of all excess skin of the entire abdomen, as well as liposuction of the waist for contour.

Full tummy tuck with liposuction will give best results, the flattest abdomen and contoured waist.

Liposuction alone will reduce fat under the skin but will not tighten muscle and will not remove all the excess skin.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to discuss your options and expectations.

With the degree of skin laxity you have, a full abdominoplasty is recommended. The muscles can be repaired at the same time. Liposuction is useful and I do it routinely at the same time as the tummy tuck, but you need skin resection. A mini-tummy tuck provides much less skin removal. I do it rarely. I use a drain for 3 or 4 days. It is not a problem. You can elect to have no drain but there is a greater risk of a fluid buildup (seroma) that will require aspiration (drainage with a needle in the office). I make a point of keeping the incision very low so that the resulting scar may be contained below your panty line. If the scar is kept low, it is not a problem. Be sure to view plenty of before and after photos provided by your surgeon.

Thank you for your question.
It looks like you are a candidate for a full tummy tuck with possible liposuction. Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Best wishes!

You need a full tummy tuck, as do most women after full term pregnancy. Nothing short of this will give you the result you are looking for. Best wishes.

Thank you for your question. Based on your history (two C-sections, completed childbearing, and your goal to regain a pre-pregnancy body), the best procedure will likely be a full tummy tuck because you have loose skin both above and below the belly button, significant abdominal muscle separation from pregnancy, and stretch marks in the lower abdomen. Some surgeons offer a drainless tummy tuck by using progressive tension sutures to eliminate the need for surgical drains. Liposuction can be combined with full tummy tuck to enhance contouring, especially around the waistline. Consult a surgeon to assess your anatomy and discuss your preferences, including the drainless technique. They can recommend the best approach to help you achieve your desired results.

Dear RMD88,
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

Thank you for your question. I strongly recommend a full tummy tuck to remove excess skin from the entire abdominal area and tighten the muscle separation, which is common after multiple pregnancies, particularly with C-sections. Also, you can combine the tummy tuck with liposuction of the waist to enhance your overall body contour and create a more defined waistline. Liposuction alone removes fat and does not address skin laxity or muscle separation. A mini tummy tuck addresses excess skin below the belly button and does not tighten muscles or remove excess skin from the upper abdomen. This would not fully meet your goals of restoring your pre-pregnancy body.

You are an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck with flank liposuction. The only way to eliminate the loose skin of your abdomen is to remove it. Liposuction would not correct the loose and hanging skin. I would make an appointment with a plastic surgeon who will go over this in detail.

Thank you for your question and for providing your photos. Based on your photos and history, I would recommend a full tummy tuck combined with liposuction for the best outcome. A mini tummy tuck wouldn’t fully address the excess skin, especially in the upper abdomen, and wouldn’t provide the overall tightness and contouring you're looking for.

Given that you’ve had two pregnancies, muscle plication (or muscle repair) will be beneficial as well. During pregnancy, the rectus muscles (the “six-pack” muscles) often become distended, and bringing them back together can significantly improve the appearance of your abdomen by giving it a flatter, more toned look.

A full tummy tuck, possibly with a drainless technique if available, can help achieve your pre-pregnancy body goals by removing excess skin, tightening the abdominal wall, and creating a more contoured waistline. I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can discuss drainless options with you to enhance your comfort during recovery.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

It would be important first to determine how much visceral fat you have. If there is more subcutaneous fat, then a full tummy tuck may be suitable since you appear to have loose skin and the area of concern is above and below your belly button. A tummy tuck would remove the excess subcutaneous fat, tighten the loose skin and repair abdominal muscle separation if necessary. If there is an excess of visceral fat, then a healthy diet and exercise regimen would be more suitable.