A tummy tuck procedure will help you get rid of excess fat or skin, but while you think you don’t have much fat or skin that requires getting rid of, hence not eligible for a tummy tuck surgery, you still have the option of a mini tummy tuck. What is a mini tummy tuck, and what makes it different from a full tummy tuck procedure you may be aware of?
This article contains answers that you will find as you continue to read.
WHAT IS MINI TUMMY TUCK?
A mini-tummy tuck is a less invasive surgery, but with the same procedure as a full tummy tuck, performed on patients with less fat or skin to remove, hence the name -mini.
The procedure aims to tightened the area of your stomach under your belly button, by removing the extra skin or fat, sometimes called pooch, that often occurs in the lower abdomen that makes it difficult for you to have a flat tummy regardless of the dieting and exercises you may perform.
A mini tummy tuck may get rid of some stretch marks also, depending on the placement of these stretch marks and how much excess skin you have.
PROCEDURES FOR A MINI TUMMY TUCK
To get a mini tummy tuck, you must first have an appointment with a doctor, and days before your scheduled mini tummy tuck, to be sure you are in good health before the procedure is done, your doctor may ask you to stop smoking, limit alcohol consumption and not take any anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or certain herbal supplement as they can worsen bleeding and prevent proper clotting after the procedure.
Procedures for a mini-tummy tuck may typically take 1-3 hours and involves:
- You will be given anesthesia to numb the pain.
- Then your doctor will make an incision of 4-8 inches long on your lower abdomen. The length of this incision is similar to that made during a C-section.
- Through the incision made, your doctor tightens the loose muscles and removes the small amount of excess fast and/or skin giving you a flatter lower abdomen.
- After the procedure, your doctor may give you some painkillers to help with managing the pain.
WHAT IS THE COST OF A MINI-TUMMY-TUCK?
The cost of a mini-tummy-tuck depends on the surgeon and where you live, however, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimated that the average cost of a mini-tummy-tuck stood at $6,092 in 2019, but with the increasing cost of living and considering the additional charges that come with the procedure, the average cost of a mini tummy tuck should be between the range of $3,000-$15,000.
WHO IS A MINI-TUMMY-TUCK CANDIDATE?
Anyone above 18 years can be eligible to get a mini tummy tuck provided you are in a very good physical healthy state, no longer having or intending to have more kids have a small amount of fat and/or skin that needs to be removed, and you are within the recommended weight range.
MINI-TUMMY-TUCK-SCAR
After a mini tummy tuck, you should expect to have a scar from the incision as it is inevitable with any surgical procedure and also a way our body heals. However, a mini tummy tuck will leave you with a small scar that is easily not noticeable because the incision made during the procedure is smaller than that made for a full tummy tuck surgery.
Although a mini tummy tuck scar is small and easily hidden, you should do well to make sure it doesn’t get infected. After the incision has been stitched up, your doctor bandages the area treated, to promote healing. Your doctor should provide instructions on how you are to properly change the bandage in the days that follow after the procedure. Listen to your doctor as those instructions will help reduce any risk of complications.
Also, do not expose your scar to the sun for too long, especially while you are still recovering. Doing that will result in a scar that will appear darker than the skin around it, making it more visible.
MINI TUMMY TUCK RECOVERY
Recovering from a mini-tummy-tuck takes a shorter time compared to a full tummy tuck recovery, however, recovery time differs for every person.
The first week of a mini tummy tuck recovery focuses on managing discomfort and symptoms such as swelling, tingling, or numbness.
You will likely be required to wear an abdominal under for several weeks after the procedure to help support your abs as they heal, and also reduce swelling.
Two weeks after the surgery, you may be advised by a physiotherapist to perform light abdominal crunches as it can help speed up recovery, reduce pain and stiffness, and minimize the mini tummy tuck scar. Going for a long walk is also known to help in mini Jimmy tuck recovery as it helps to reduce the chance of blood clots. Strenuous activities should be avoided for at least 6 weeks after the surgery.
HOW LONG DOES A MINI TUMMY TUCK RESULT LAST?
A mini tummy tuck is an effective procedure that helps flatten and tighten your lower abdomen. The result of a mini tummy tuck is permanent so long as you don’t put on extra weight after the procedure.
MINI TUMMY TUCK BEFORE AND AFTER
While considering if you should have a mini tummy tuck surgery, it may help to see some before and after pictures of patients who have had the procedure. Here are some pictures that may help you in deciding whether or not you should get a mini tummy tuck.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A MINI TUMMY TUCK AND A FULL TUMMY TUCK
Both the full tummy tuck and the mini tummy tuck are procedures that help in removing excess fat and tighten the muscles of the abdomen, giving you a flat and a more contoured abdomen.
Although they both follow a similar procedure, there are yet some basic differences between the two procedures such as:
- A full tummy tuck targets the skin and muscles of the entire abdominal area, above and below the belly buttons, and repairs separate muscles in the mid and upper abdomen. While a mini tummy tuck targets to tighten and flatten the skin below the belly button and does not address loose skin or separated muscles in the middle or upper abdomen.
- The incision made during a full tummy tuck procedure usually runs from hip to hip, while that made during a mini tummy tuck procedure is 6-12 inches shorter than that of a full tummy tuck procedure.
- A full tummy tuck procedure may require the creation of a new belly button, but since a mini tummy tuck does not affect the skin in the upper and middle abdomen, creating a new belly button will not be required as the belly button will not be affected.
- Recovery time for a mini tummy tuck is usually shorter than that of a full tummy tuck and the scar from the incision made is also less visible than the scar from a full tummy tuck.
RISKS INVOLVED IN A MINI TUMMY TUCK SURGERY
Like every plastic surgery procedure, some of the common risks associated with a mini tummy tuck include:
- Infection of the incision area
- Excessive and prolonged bleeding
- Blood clots
- Prolonged numbness
- Prolonged or permanent skin color change
- Damaged blood vessels, nerves, or muscles.
UMBILICAL HERNIA REPAIR WITH MINI TUMMY TUCK
An umbilical hernia appears as a bulge near your belly button, and this will make you experience discomfort and pressure in your abdomen.
During your consultation with your doctor about getting a mini tummy tuck, if he or she finds that you have an umbilical hernia, you will be referred to a general surgeon who will determine if you can have an umbilical hernia repair with a mini tummy tuck.
If the general surgeon finds that it will be safe to perform both procedures, he or she will be there at your mini tummy tuck surgery to also perform your umbilical hernia repair.
The combined procedure will involve your surgeon making an incision below your abdomen, the general surgeon will place your herniated tissue behind your abdominal wall to perform the umbilical hernia repair.
Following that, excess skin and fat will be removed, and then the skin and tissues are placed in a smoother and firmer position, creating a flatter and toner abdomen, after the incision is closed.
FINDING A MINI TUMMY TUCK PROVIDER
A mini tummy tuck should be performed only by a board-certified plastic surgeon, and finding the perfect plastic surgeon to perform the procedure might be difficult.
To make this easier for you, you can use the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ surgeon finder to find a list of board-certified plastic surgeons near you.
You may want to meet with the surgeon before the procedure to talk about what to expect, the cost and as well to see before and after photos of real clients they have treated.
CONCLUSION
A mini tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that helps you to achieve a flatter and firmer abdomen just like the full tummy tuck.
But unlike the full tummy tuck, the mini tummy tuck is only for individuals with a small amount of fat and skin that needs to be removed. Speak with your doctor to know if you are eligible for the procedure.
REFERENCES
Can I Combine a Tummy Tuck And Umbilical Hernia Repair? www.revella.com Date fetched: June 3, 2022
Everything You Want To Know About a Mini Tummy Tuck. www.healthline.com Date fetched: June 3, 2022
Difference Between a Full Tummy Tuck and a Mini Tummy Tuck. www.drbresnick.com Date fetched: June 3, 2022