Tummy tuck options: How to know which is best
There are several options including full standard tummy tuck, mini, mini with an umbilical float, and reverse tummy tuck which places the scar along the lower edge of the breasts and pulls up instead of down.
I am sure you know that there is no way to get useful advice without an in-person consultation, and your situation is not typical.
Your contour looks reasonably smooth when fully upright, but rolls appear when you flex forward; you belly button (umbi) is high, so a mini with a float might be considered; and most of your skin laxity is in the upper abdomen which in combination with the high umbi makes a standard tummy tuck more challenging without a high scar or a T-scar. (Richard Baxter, MD)
Types of tummy tuck needed?
I am sure you will generate debate with your question and pics. Let me separate some issues to make it easier. First the skin issue. The amount of skin removed is variable from patient to patient. The surgeon uses his best judgment to remove as much as needed for the cosmetic improvement without putting undue tension on the closure. You appear to have a moderate amount of redundant skin, with a small amount of fat.
The second issue is the abdominal strength layer. This is like an internal girdle, and generally weakens over time, and gets stretched during pregnancy. The best I can tell, you have some laxity that extends above the umbilicus. Given this appearance, I would opt for a full tummy tuck to give you the best result.
Think of the strength layer as a foundation on which the rest of the tissues sit. A mini or modified tummy tuck addresses excess skin and stretched strength layer below the umbilicus (Scott E. Kasden, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
You need full tummy tuck. You have more than enough skin and there will be no problem.
Need a tummy tuck?
I am not sure you would benefit from a tummy tuck. You have to consider the drawback of a scar along your lower abdomen from hip to hip roughly. You have a nice lower abdominal wall that would not benefit from this. Maybe some very conservative liposuction to accentuate your musculature would be adequate. (John Michael Thomassen, MD, Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon)
What type of tummy tuck do I need?
Over the internet NOT sure you need a tummy tuck. Not enough excess skin is shown in my over the internet review. (Darryl J. Blinski, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
What type of Tummy Tuck?
It is difficult to tell for sure from your photos because they are limited views. I find that in my San Antonio Plastic Surgery office, generally speaking, a mini Tummy Tuck is OK if you have a very limited amount of skin excess. But, if you have any significant amounts of extra skin, you are better off with a full Tummy Tuck. Scar placement is something you should discuss with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. My recommendation is that you always visit a few surgeons and select the one you are most comfortable with. (Suresh Koneru, MD, San Antonio Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck may be reasonable, but I would have to examine you to make that determination.
Good candidate for a conventional abdominoplasty.
From the photograph it looks as though you would get an excellent result from an abdominoplasty. This will tighten the abdominal wall and by removing surplus skin generate the proper surface area from the sternum to the pubic area. (Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)