Tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck or lipo - Which procedure is more recommended with a skinny BBL? (Photos)

Question

I am 46 and delivered two kids via c-section. Im fair skinned and my scars fade to pale and dont show real well. I wanted lipo with abdominal etching and skinny BBL. As I have it perimenopause, i have lost by backside. One doctor recommended a tummy tuck, another recommended a mini tummy tuck, another a circular tummy tuck and another said he could do what I want with lipo. Which would you recommend?

John LoMonaco, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the photos.  I see excess skin going from hip to hip, and would avoid a mini tummy tuck and go with a regular tummy tuck to get the most sculpted, tight result.  If the pubic fullness bothers you, I'd probably add a bit of lipo and a lift to that area too.

The only excess fat you have in the waist/love handle area so a full, round backside will be harder to obtain.  Active, fit individuals tend to melt the fat grafts, so I like to be upfront about what you can realistically expect.

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Any one of these options can achieve your desired result. An in person evaluation is always best to assess for skin laxity when considering possible skin removal procedures but based on your photos, a mini TT with 360 Lipo and BBL would be my recommendation.

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The appropriate procedure depends on the location of the skin laxity identified during the examination. If the laxity is mild, with good skin recoil and no significant diastasis, a Lipo 360 with conservative etching, along with a small BBL is suitable. However, if the laxity extends above and below the umbilicus or if diastasis is present, a full tummy tuck is the best option. A mini tummy tuck is considered only when there is limited excess skin below the navel. Have an in-person examination with a board-certified surgeon to confirm skin distribution, evaluate diastasis, assess donor fat availability, and determine whether liposuction is necessary to ensure that your goals align with safety. ALS considers staging your BBL first to maximize fat transfer survival, then do your stomach skin excision, because after a BBL, you should avoid sitting or sleeping on your buttocks to improve fat transfer survival. If you do an abdominal skin excision at the same time it's hard to avoid putting pressure on your backside because you usually need to recover in a flexed position and cannot sleep on your stomach.

Laura Roider, MD · Answer

Based on your photos to obtain the BEST result, I would recommend a standard tummy tuck with lipo360 and fat grafting to the buttock. This would allow us to address the muscle wall weakness (from pregnancy), remove excess skin, and shape and contour your torso all the way around.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear adr75050,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

Wayne I. Yamahata, MD · Answer

Your photos suggest a mini tummy tuck or liposuction alone would be inadequate. A more standard tummy appears indicated. This can be confirmed during a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

It is difficult to give you an exact answer without examining you. You have excess fat and the skin quality appears very good. Since you are worried about the scars, a good option is to perform liposuction of the abdomen, flanks, and back. The skin should contract well.

Emily C. Wirtz, MD · Answer

There are several factors that go into whether a mini or full abdominoplasty skin removal is recommended. The best way to determine which is best for you is to have an examination by a board certified plastic surgeon. This will show where the belly button is relative to aesthetic ideals, how much skin laxity and skin excess there is both above and below the belly button, as well as whether there is muscle separation. Either abdominoplasty technique will replace your c section scar with a longer scar hidden in the bikini line. A mini will remove less skin, and can potentially place your belly button too low. A circumferential abdominoplasty will place a scar around the front and back of your lower torso, and can provide a modest buttocks lift, which can help with mild skin laxity in the buttocks but involves more recovery. I usually will recommend separating the front and back skin removals into separate surgeries because of this. A full abdominoplasty may be the best option based on your photographs, but this does depend on your examination. The benefit of skin removal is that all of the fat that attached to that skin removal can be harvested and used for transfer, in addition to liposuction of the flanks, lower back and upper abdomen at the time of an abdominoplasty.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. As a Total Definer plastic surgeon, I would recommend VASER Hi Def Lipo 360 of your torso including the large pubic area, VASER lipo of your arms and fat transfer to the buttocks to fill out the collapsed lateral areas. The need for a tummy tuck is hard to determine from these photos without an in person examination. This certainly can be done with abdominal etching at the same time. See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for the question. From the photos, the two best options are a full extended TT or a body list (360 tuck). 
I wish you the best. 
Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACSDouble Board Certified Plastic SurgeonHouston, TX.

Tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck or lipo - Which procedure is more recommended with a skinny BBL? (Photos)

Answers (12)

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