Mini tummy tucks
You appear from your photos to have a good deal of pooching of the central abdomen which comes from diastasis and/or muscle laxity.
The muscle repair which is a part of the full abdominoplasty is needed to correct this. I do not think that you will be pleased with the results of a mini tummy tucks. (John Whitt, MD, Louisville Plastic Surgeon)
Mini tummy tucks vs full tummy tuck
Mini tummy tucks removes the loose skin seen in your pictures. The rest of the abdomen looks ok. Naturally, without a full examination it is difficult to say, but in my opinion a mini tummy tuck should give you a nice result in removing the loose wrinkly skin seen in the pictures. (Martin Jugenburg, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)
Mini tummy tucks image before
It is tough to say without an examination; however, both can yield a good result for you, but that will depend on the laxity of the upper abdominal skin. Under the right conditions, the full tummy tuck gives the best result. (Shahin Javaheri, MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)
Mini-Tuck and Lipo Works Well In Correct Patient
In the correct patient, a mini-abdominoplasty and liposuction is a better option then a full abdominoplasty, with a much easier recovery. Whenever a patient has skin laxity in the lower abdominal area, but the rest of the abdomen is fairly firm and not sagging, then a mini-tuck/lipo usually does well. This allows fat to be removed from the upper abdomen and the skin to retract over time, while directly excising the lower abdominal skin. Based on your photograph, I think this would work well for you. (Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD, Barrington Plastic Surgeon)
Full versus mini tummy tucks
Mini tummy tucks photo before
When deciding between the full versus mini tummy tucks it is important to consider the following:
1. stretch marks that extend above the belly button
2. loosened abdominal muscles typically following 2 child births If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you should consider doing the full tummy tuck. (Arian Mowlavi, MD, Laguna Beach Plastic Surgeon)
In my opinion, your best longterm result will be with a full tummy tuck. You will see a more substantial result and more complete contouring of the trunk. I would recommend viewing before/after photos of patients similar to you to see your expected result. As your surgeon, I would be concerned that a mini tummy tuck would not produce a substantial improvement that I, as your surgeon, or you, as the patient, would be happy with.
The mini tummy tucks
The incision length and recovery time will not be important 10 years from now, but the quality of your result will be. I wish you a safe and happy recovery. (Paul S. Gill, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
Mini vs full tummy tuck
I asume your photos show your abdomen relaxed and with the muscles sucked in. I am rarely an advocate for a mini tummy tucksbut in your case it might be reasonable because the scar would be lower, and your skin that would be left behind would be pretty decent.
The upper abdominal skin issue you see in the second photo would not change with the mini. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
