19 Aug 2024 | by Dr. Sean Doherty
Life can certainly wreak havoc on your mid-section! Pregnancy, weight gain/loss
and menopause may all stretch the skin and tissues of your abdomen past the point
where diet and exercise can help. This is incredibly frustrating for many of my
Boston area patients. A tummy tuck is an excellent procedure for addressing lax
skin, excess fat and loose muscle at once. It can deliver serious rejuvenation to not
just your mid-section, but your entire torso. However, it also requires a
commitment in terms of recovery. This is why many prospective body contouring
patients will come to me asking for a mini-tummy tuck. I get it. Anything with the
word “mini” in front of it just sounds better. The problem is that most women are
not actually ideal candidates for this procedure because it won’t address everything
that bothers them. So, here are some guidelines for understanding the difference
between a full tummy tuck and a mini-tummy tuck.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for a Mini-Tummy Tuck in Boston?
The ideal candidate for a mini-tummy tuck is any woman in:
• Good overall health
• Within 10 pounds of a maintainable goal weight
• Skin laxity ONLY located below the belly button
The latter is the kicker for most patients. Anyone who has had a child, gained and
lost more than 10 pounds during their lifetime, or is older is most likely going to
have excess skin located both below and above the belly button. Furthermore, just
because this procedure has the word “mini” in front of it does not mean that it’s a
tummy tuck lite. Spending the money and recovery time on a procedure that will
not deliver your ideal body contour is a waste. A typical ideal patient for this
procedure is in shape, has had a previous Cesarean section and is really only
bothered by loose, hanging skin above the scar or a shelf-like appearance to there
scar.
Full Tummy Tuck Does It All
So, while a full tummy tuck may require a little more downtime and be slightly
more expensive than a mini-tummy tuck, it’s also the only procedure for
addressing all of the issues that may be causing a dissatisfaction with the
appearance of your abdomen. These include:
• Excess fatty deposits
• Skin laxity both above and below the belly button
• Loose abdominal muscles
The latter can be a common problem for women who’ve had children and/or
undergone massive weight loss. This procedure is done under general anesthesia.
Determining the right tummy tuck choice for you should always start with an inperson consultation. This will allow me to perform a physical exam and assess
your individual needs.
To find out more about a tummy tuck, mini-tummy tuck, or any other surgical or
non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office,
contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
