Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

The decision of whether to do a full tummy tuck or mini-abdominoplasty is based on how much extra skin you have on you abdomen that needs to be removed.

Most people with extra skin and stretch marks can benefit from a standard abdominoplasty but there some people who just don’t have that much loose skin to be removed and pulled down.

The location of your belly button on your abdomen is also important. A mini-tuck will often pull down the belly button about an inch, so woman who have a low belly button position to start off with should not have the mini procedure.

In that case if not enough skin is available to do a standard tummy tuck then liposuction alone can be considered. It is important that an experienced plastic surgeon physically examine you to determine how much skin laxity you have and then review the appropriate options based on that exam. (Adam Hamawy, MD)

Patient Should Decide On Mini vs Full Tummy Tuck

Full Tummy tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck image

You should seek one or more consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons (who preferably are members of ASAPS). During these consultations you will hopefully be presented with the benefits and risks of both a full and a mini tummy tuck. Following this you should be able to make the choice for which procedure si better suited for you.

I will say that from your photo it appears that, if you elect to have a full tummy tuck, you have little enough excess skin that a vertical incision as well as the normal horizontal incision may be necessary. (John Whitt, MD, Princeton Plastic Surgeon)

Full Tummy Tuck vs. Mini – How Does One Decide?

The full Tummy tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

Congratulations on a great body after 2 pregnancies. It looks like you have worked very hard to stay in shape. In my practice, I have the patient lay flat on the table, bend their knees up, and I grasp the tissue from the belly button to the pubic area to see how much laxity there is. I am very often surprised at how lax the skin can be even though, when the patient stands up, it looks so good.

A full abdominoplasty is almost always the right choice, but only a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon experienced in all forms of abdominoplasty and having done a complete physical exam can determine what type of abdominoplasty will give you the best results. (S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS, Honolulu Plastic Surgeon)

Based on your description and photo, it sounds very tempting to say that you can get away with a mini tummy tuck, but the fact is that you may still be a candidate for a full tummy tuck. If I can pull the skin just above your belly buttom down to your pubic bone area and if you have abdominal wall laxity or diastasis, I would not feel right offering you a mini tummy tuck. (Joseph Ku, MD, Riverside Plastic Surgeon)

Mini-tummy tuck indicated for thin patients with minimal excess skin

Full Tummy tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck photo

If you have loose skin limited to the lower half of your abdomen and do not have too much laxity of the tissues, you may qualify for a mini-tummy tuck. This procedure does not involve any surgical incisions around the belly button and limits the skin removal to the lower half of the abdomen only. A board certified plastic surgeon can evaluate you to determine which procedure is best for you. The scar for the mini-tummy tuck is not really that “mini”, it’s probably 2 inches shorter on each side. A full tummy tuck allows for better and more complete muscle tightening and typically a better outcome. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno (William Bruno, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

Looking at your picture you have already done great job of getting back into shape. The decision as to whether you need a mini or full tummy tuck depends on how tight you want your skin to be afterward and how much loose skin you have above your belly button. If the skin above your belly button is not too loose I would recommend a mini. This would have the advantage of a shorter scar and be able to tighten the skin of your lower tummy.

Full Tummy tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck operation

If your lower muscles are weak they can be tightened at the same time. If you have a lot of loose skin above your belly button, which does not seem to be the case, than you would do best with a full tummy tuck. This would leave you with a longer scar and also a scar around your belly button though. Hope this helps. (Ronald Schuster, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)

Based upon the posted photo I would either not offer a surgery or a very minor mini mini tuck. We all might think about your realistic expectations. (Darryl J. Blinski, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

Mini tummy tuck for lower abdomen only

A tummy tuck is done to tighten loose skin, repair a muscle separation if any, and remove localized fat if necessary. These are of course the things that can’t be accomplished with diet and exercise alone.

Full Tummy tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck surgery

If the skin laxity is limited to the lower part of the abdomen only, then a mini could work but in general it has no effect on the upper abdomen, at least as far as skin tightening goes. Most patients do best with the standard abdominoplasty but only a surgeon examining you can make that determination for sure. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

No one can tell you for sure what you need over the internet. That is why I offer a complimentary consultation, I have been doing tummy tucks for years and will tell you what you need. After that it is your choice. (William B. Rosenblatt, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon) Your Plastic Surgeon will evaluate the following in determining which is the best procedure for you Skin quality and elasticity Location and amount of excess skin and fat Muscle laxity and location Patients with good skin quality , few stretch marks, excess skin and muscle laxity confined to the area below the belly button are good candidates for a mini tummy tuck the muscles are tightened from the pubic region up to belly button.

Full Tummy tuck surgery vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

The incision is shorter and only a portion of skin in this area is removed without making an incision around the belly button. Liposuction is performed in when indicated in the abdomen. If your upper abdominal skin and tone are good, this procedure is a good choice. For patients with large amounts of loose skin and poor muscle tone extending above the belly button, a full tummy tuck may be indicated. The scar is longer but all loose skin and fat from the pubic region to the belly button is removed and laxity in the upper abdomen is corrected. This patient appears to be a very good candidate for a mini tummy tuck (Richard Linderman, MD, Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon)

How do I know if I need a mini tummy tuck or a full

A mini-tummy tuck tightens the lower abdomen. The muscles can be repaired bellow the ubilicus. The amount of skin and stretch marks that can be removed and tightened is limited to less than half of the skin between the pubic area and umbilicus. Stretch marks above the skin that is removed would still remain. Loose skin and muscle separation above the umbilicus are not treated. Based on the picutures, you may not have enough excess skin to recommend a full tummy tuck. (York Jay Yates, MD, Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon)