Small tummy tuck

Candidate for small or full tummy tuck?

I say full based upon the images that I see here. You have laxity and excess of skin and fatty tissues above and below your belly button, and laxity of your muscle wall above your belly button, and people with those findings do better with a full tummy tuck in my hands. (Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)

Small or Full?

With a small-tummy tuck, the area of improvement is limited to the part of the abdomen lower than the navel, and only an occasional patient is a suitable candidate for that procedure. The laxity of your abdominal wall extends well above the navel, so a full tummy tuck would be the right choice.

Small tummy tuck photo

What I can’t tell from the photos is how much skin excess there is, and that will determine how the skin portion of the procedure is managed. This is a good time to start the consultation process, while you have plenty time to consider your options as you work on getting back to your desired weight. (Jourdan Gottlieb, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

In my opinion, Small. Your bulge and extra skin are below the belly button, otherwise abdomen looks good. Full tummy tuck will be problematic, and results will not justify the scar, extended recovery, and expense. (Steve Laverson, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)

Meeting expectations in body contouring surgery

Small tummy tuck image

When considering a limited procedure like a small-abdominoplasty you have to recognize that you will get a limited result. With your degree of skin laxity and stretch marks above the umbilicus you are a good candidate for a full abdominoplasty. Educate yourself in the differences between the two procedures and pick the one that will ultimately meed your expectations. (Jeffrey Zwiren, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)

Small tummy tuck is a seldom indicated operation.

I think you would be disappointed with a small tummy tuck even though the incision is shorter than a full abdominoplasty. Loose skin involves entire abdomen so the entire abdomen needs to be involved in the operation. (Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)

Small or Full abdominoplasty

Small tummy tuck surgery

Based on your photos, you have laxity of the abdominal wall both above and below the umbilicus, and therefore would benefit from a full abdominoplasty.

A small tummy tuck addresses the abdomen below the umbilicus, and has minimal impact on the upper two thirds of the tummy – and therefore would not be a great choice for you. (Wilfred Brown, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)