Very few women benefit by a mini tummy tuck.
1) You will not be happy with a mini tummy tuck, even though it sounds appealing. Your upper abdomen will look even looser, because your lower abdomen will be tight.
2) Your navel is pretty high, so you probably are a good candidate for a floating belly button type of full abdominoplasty. (George J. Beraka, MD (retired), Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
Full or mini tummy tuck?
The photo that you submitted isn’t very helpful because of the shadows; it would also be helpful if you showed a side view.
However, I have found that when a patient needs a tummy tuck, then a full tummy tuck is the procedure of choice. The scar is not much longer but the resuts are usually much better. (George Lefkovits, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Full tummy tuck versus mini
It’s hard to determine without actually seeing you. A full tummy tuck will allow your entire abdomen to be flat from top to bottom while a mini will only concentrate on the area below your belly button. (Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)
Probably a full tummy tuck
It is impossible to say for sure, but in my experience of doing this for over 30 years, full tummy tucks give a much better result than minis. You have stretched out your muscles both above and below the belly button and a full tummy give a better muscle tightening. Minis are for tiny little poochie lower abdomens – not women who have had kids. (William B. Rosenblatt, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Full or mini tummy tuck?
Every surgeon reccomends what works best in his or her hands. Your photo is not the best, but I will side with the mini reccomendation including lipo of upper abdomen and waist/flanks. (Lawrence Foster, MD, Sacramento Plastic Surgeon)
Would You Like A Mini TT or a Good Result?
The question,”Doctor do I really need a full tummy tuck or can I get away with a mini?”, is one of the most common inquiries that I hear. Of course nobody wants a long scar if they think a shorter scar is possible! In my experience however, most patients interested in improving the shape and size of their waistline will require a complete tummy tuck, combined with appropriate liposuction to achieve the result they desire.
Patients have to realize that a mini tuck is basically just a liposuction of the tummy with the removal of a very small island of skin just above the pubic hairline and maybe a tightening of the lower abdominal muscles. At 5′ 10″ and 150lbs, and already having had lipo and working out regularly,you need a procedure that will tighten the entire length of your abdominal muscles, remove the excess skin which will not go away with exercise and improve your waistline. You already have a C section scar and a tummy tuck if done correctly will only make it a little longer. Most “mini” TT do not have a much shorter scar than a Full TT. In my opinion, a mini tuck will not give you the result you deserve! (Bernabe Vazquez, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)