Patients frequently ask about mini tummy tuck vs full tummy tuck surgery when they are considering abdominoplasty. While both procedures are very similar, there are some special differences that patients should know about.
Mini vs Full Tummy Tuck: 6 Key Differences
1. Mini tummy tucks address small amounts of excess lower abdominal skin.
Any tummy tuck procedure is going to cater to patients who have excess abdominal skin and also a modest amount of excess abdominal fat. But if you have a lot of excess abdominal skin — all the way around your waist and/or on your upper abdomen — you’ll need a full tummy tuck to address these problem areas.
Mini tummy tuck procedures are for patients who have a small amount of excess skin (and general skin laxity) on the lower abdomen only.
2. A mini tummy tuck surgery can tighten the lower abdominal muscles only.
Just as with skin laxity, loose skin muscles can only be located on the lower abdomen for a mini tummy tuck procedure as well. This is the central area where your plastic surgeon is going to work and improve your appearance.
If you have separated abdominal muscles (also known as diastasis recti) from the top of your stomach to the lower stomach area, a full tummy tuck procedure may be better suited to you.
3. Mini tummy tucks require a shorter incision.
3. Mini tummy tucks require a shorter incision.One of the great things about mini plastic surgery tummy tucks is that they come with a shorter scar. The initial incision used for any mini tummy tuck surgery will be located in the same region as full tummy tuck incisions. This is on the lower abdomen just above the pubic area, and the incision runs laterally.
But the key difference is that a full tummy tuck incision will run roughly from hip to hip. Conversely, a mini tummy tuck incision (and the subsequent mini tummy tuck scar) will be a bit shorter on either side.
4. Mini tummy tucks do not reposition the belly button.
There is no belly button incision required for a mini tummy tuck. Belly button incisions are required for full tummy tucks, extended tummy tucks, flour de lis tummy tucks, and other types of tummy tucks.
For a mini tummy tuck, however, a belly button incision is not required, and this means we’re not changing the position of the belly button with a mini tummy tuck. Everything is done below the navel, so there’s no need to adjust the belly button’s position.
5. Recovery is often shorter and easier with a mini tummy tuck.
Because only one lower abdominal incision is required for a mini tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck recovery tends to be a bit easier.
You’re not getting that extra belly button incision. There’s no need to adjust the abdominal muscles above the belly button or to reduce excess skin there. Usually, less skin overall is removed, and even the incision size is smaller.
Basically, a mini tummy tuck involves much less surgery. And for these reasons, mini tummy tuck patients often report having a smoother and faster recovery.
6. Mini tummy tucks are rarely performed.
Chances are, if you’re wondering if you’re a good candidate for a full vs mini tummy tuck, you’d be better suited to the former. This is simply because full tummy tucks are far more common than mini tummy tucks.
In order to be a mini tummy tuck candidate, you must only have a bit of excess skin that you want to remove, and again, this needs to be just on the lower abdomen. In truth, this issue is rather rare.
Tummy tuck patients, in general, are either moms who are done being pregnant and having children or men or women who have lost a considerable amount of weight either through lifestyle changes, weight loss surgery, or prescription weight loss medications.
In all of these situations, weight gain (either from excess body fat and/or a baby and placenta) will occur all around the front of the abdomen. So, you’re going to have the skin stretching both below the naval and above the naval.
Naturally, this means that you’ll be left with wrinkly folds of excess skin all along the midsection. And correcting this issue requires a full abdominoplasty procedure.
FAQ: Mini Tummy Tuck vs Full Procedure
FAQ: Mini Tummy Tuck vs Full ProcedureWhat qualifies you for a mini tummy tuck?
If you have loose skin on your upper abdomen that you would like to get rid of, you are probably not a good candidate for mini abdominoplasty. Mini tummy tuck surgery is for patients who only have a modest amount of excess skin on their lower abdomens.
Is a full tummy tuck better than a mini tummy tuck?
Not necessarily. It’s all about the best procedure for you and your unique needs.
If you look over mini tummy tuck vs full tummy tuck pictures, you’ll see that both can achieve amazing outcomes. Where you’re starting out is what matters.
Those with a lot of excess abdominal skin all over their abdomen will require a full tummy tuck. But if you only have a little bit of excess skin on your lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck may be ideal for you.
Schedule Your Mini Tummy Tuck Consultation Today
Transform your look and boost your confidence with a mini tummy tuck Beverly Hills. Discover how a more toned and contoured abdomen can enhance your overall appearance.
Call today to schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Charles Galanis. Let Dr. Galanis and our skilled team guide you through the process.
