First of all, your insurance won’t cover either so that is not a deciding point. It is all about the skin and muscles ABOVE the umbilicus.
Virtually all post pregnancy abdomens have issues up there, so mini’s are really rare. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
A mini TT will cost almost as much as a full one ( you still have to pay for the doctor’s time, the OR staff, the supplies and medications and the anesthesiologist and take time out of your life to recover) but will give you absolutely no correction in the upper abdomen where you definitely can get improvement with the full TT.
Insurance never covers this surgery in my experience. (Ronald V. DeMars, MD, Portland Plastic Surgeon)
Given the appearance of your abdomen, which demonstrates the classic post C-section bulging, a mini-tuck would not be appropriate. You need a full abdominoplasty.
Insurance will not cover this procedure and does not consider depression to be a basis to support a surgical, rather than, psychiatric authorization.
I think that if you take a look at some of the other preop photos on the site, you may realize that, notwithstanding the effects of the pregnancies, weight gain and C-sections on your abdomen, there are other women out there with similar or far worse scenarios. (Robert L. Kraft, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
First off your surgeon needs to make sure your risks of aesthetic surgery are acceptable low. Assumng that is the case, only after a formal examination can a surgeon offer you your options with clarity and insight. However, it is certainly hard to ignore the skin laxity seen on your flexion photo as well as your history of 100 pound weight loss. I would be prepared for a full abdominoplasty if I were you. (Michael B. Tantillo, MD, Boston Plastic Surgeon)
You are a perfect candidate for Full Tummy Tuck because you do have flaccid skin above and below the navel and I definitely would recommend to do muscle repair in order to tighten your muscle and create a tapered small waist. I have find out through my practice if I do not achieve a nice and small waist, the shape will not be as curvy. Mini TT is mainly designed for patients who do not have flaccid skin above navel and need minimum of skin resection below navel.
I also would highly recommend to do some liposuction to lower back just to enhance your curvaceous result.Be encouraged. You will be loving your results!
You have a skin overhang with evident stretch marks. I can not evaluate your diastasis from the pictures. Assuming that you lost that much weight, your muscles will need repair during the procedure. You will be a good candidate for a full abdominoplasty with liposuction to your hips and flanks. I recommend you wait at least 12-18 months after your weight has plateaued for optimal results. (Maan Kattash, MD, FRCS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
Full tummy tuck a better option
It is best to follow the advice of a plastic surgeon who has examined you. However based on your photo, and after your weight loss you will likely need a full tummy tuck. The surgeon may find muscle laxity or split which requires repair. (Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS, Boston Plastic Surgeon)
Advantages of the full tummy tuck
Your abdomen has been seriously stressed from your pregnancies and the full tummy tuck offers you advantages as only the full will adequately correct the laxity around the belly button and upper abdomen. Insurance will not be on your side, and as far as embarrassment, your abdomen is not of your doing, just a fact of genetics and nature.
The full tummy tuck though can help set things straight. (Peter E. Johnson, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
tummy tuck insurance paid
Abdominoplasty options
It is difficult to tell from the photographs which option would be best for you. You really should be evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss these options. The best choice depends on your goals and desired look and the amount of soft tissue laxity in the upper abdomen. (Todd C. Case, MD, Tucson Plastic Surgeon)
With your degree of skin laxity you need a full tummy tuck to achieve the best result – a small amount of additional liposuction on your flanks would give you additional benefit. All the best with your surgery. Regards Dr Charles Cope (Charles Cope, MD, Sydney Plastic Surgeon)