A mini tummy tuck, or mini-abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure designed to address excess or lax skin of the lower abdomen, below the belly button or umbilicus. Most commonly requested by women post-pregnancy who are concerned with the lower belly ‘pouch’ or bulge just above their c-section scar, a mini tummy tuck can often be an ideal procedure to regain a patient’s desired abdominal contour. If you are self-conscious about sagging or loose skin on your lower stomach, a mini tummy tuck can help you quickly get rid of unwanted bulges and afford you a more toned and slim figure.
- What is a Mini Tummy Tuck and How Does a Mini Tummy Tuck Work?
A mini tummy tuck is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate lax or excess skin of the lower abdomen to achieve a slimmer, toner silhouette. A slightly modified version of a tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck is a procedure perfect for patients with very minimal excess skin and those patients who do not have any significant laxity or compromise to their abdominal wall muscles. A mini tummy tuck differs from a traditional tummy tuck in that it does not address the entire abdomen nor does it correct a diastasis recti, the separation of abdominal wall muscles most commonly experienced post-pregnancy and/or weight loss.
Unlike a full tummy tuck that requires two incisions, a mini tummy tuck simply requires a horizontal incision that is carefully and meticulously placed in the patient’s bikini line. This incision is often shorter than the bikini line incision required for a full tummy tuck and is carefully mapped out to rest in the patient’s bikini line to ensure that once healed the incision will be well-hidden in even the tiniest of bikini bottoms. This small horizontal incision allows your surgeon to remove any excess skin below the belly button (including any stretch marks in this area) and is most commonly closed with dissolvable and absorbable sutures. Moreover, a mini tummy tuck does not require the additional umbilical incision that is needed for a full tummy tuck.
- Am I a Good Candidate for a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Ideal candidates for a mini tummy tuck are those patients with minimal loose skin of the lower abdomen, who are otherwise healthy and at a stable and maintainable weight. If a patient has great amounts of excess skin both above and below the belly button, as well as laxity of their abdominal wall muscles, it is likely that they would be better suited for a full tummy tuck instead.
- What to Expect During a Mini Tummy Tuck?
A mini tummy tuck is an outpatient surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. As with any cosmetic plastic surgery procedure patients are encouraged to avoid all exercising and/or heavy lifting for the first 4 weeks following their procedure. During this time, we also recommend that our patients wear a lightweight compression surgical garment 24 hours a day to help reduce any post-operative swelling. While results can be seen the very next day when your surgical dressing is removed, final results can take 6-12 months to fully realize.
Schedule a Mini Abdominoplasty Consultation Today
At Blaine Plastic Surgery, we are experts in creating personalized treatment plans designed to achieve a patient’s desired result. With a qualified plastic surgeon on your side, you can have a more youthful body in no time. Don’t wait to get the results you’ve dreamed of! Contact us today to learn more about this procedure and schedule a free consultation.
