What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Are you frustrated with excess fat or skin around your lower abdomen beneath your belly button? Have you tried diet and exercise as a solution and they’re not working?
Perhaps you’re already familiar with the tummy tuck procedure and feel like that’s more than you need.
If so, then you’re one of the countless folks who could benefit from a mini tummy tuck.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
In a previous post we discussed the difference between a full abdominoplasty (the fancy way of saying tummy tuck) and a mini tummy tuck.
This post will strictly address the mini tummy tuck – a procedure that’s less invasive than a full tummy tuck and aims to lessen or eliminate that troublesome pooch dwelling on the lower belly.
How does it work?
With the ultimate goal of flattening the lower abdomen, a board-certified plastic surgeon makes an incision about 4-8 inches long in the lower abdomen. From there, he or she may tighten loose muscle, remove flabby skin, and/or possibly use liposuction to remove excess fat. The procedure varies from patient to patient depending on their specific situation.
In there is excess skin, it will be trimmed and laid flat. Depending on where and how much excess skin is in the area, this can potentially remove stretch marks. In addition, the lower abdomen muscles may be sutured together in a way that isn’t visible on the outside.
Once the procedure is complete and the patient recovers, he or she will have an enhanced lower abdomen contour.
Who Should Get a Mini Tummy Tuck?
It’s important to understand that the purpose of ANY tummy tuck is not as a weight loss measure. This procedure is used to alleviate imperfections that are confined to the lower belly area.
The ideal candidate for a mini tummy tuck struggles with the above-mentioned pooch, has tried diet and exercise as a solution (but to no avail), is in good overall health, and is at a weight that’s in a healthy range.
Patients most often seek out a mini tummy tuck to do the following:
- Address Age-Related Issues
Many female patients seek the counsel of plastic surgeons during menopause or their later years when weight gain becomes more common in the midsection. Some of this is hormone related.
Often times though, it’s the result of the natural decline of muscles as the body ages. As the body becomes more prone to weight loss, stubborn abdominal fat settles onto the belly.
- Smooth Out Post-Pregnancy Changes
After giving birth, many women feel like they’re living in somebody else’s body. For these women, getting their bellies back to pre-pregnancy shape is impossible. No matter how hard they try.
A mini tummy tuck can go the distance in tightening and flattening that post-pregnancy trouble spot. This is one of the main reasons that it or a full tummy tuck is often part of the whole Mommy Makeover package.
- Correct a Ventral Hernia
Sometimes massive weight loss, an appendectomy, or a C-section can cause a ventral hernia. This is when the intestinal tissue breaks through the abdominal wall and creates a pooch. A plastic surgeon may recommend a mini tummy tuck in this situation to flatten and reshape the belly.
Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery
Compared to other procedures, the mini tummy tuck recovery process is fairly simple. Most patients require an abdominal binder for at least a few weeks to support the abs as they heal.
Fortunately, since the mini tummy tuck is less invasive than the full version, there is minimal swelling and healing happens faster. Most patients see some immediate results. Within six weeks, the full results appear.
And as long as there is no weight gain or pregnancy, the results are permanent.
Are You Considering a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Now that you’ve been schooled on the mini tummy tuck, you may be ready to take advantage of all it has to offer. Of course, you’ll want to explore all your options with a plastic surgeon.
So contact us for a free consultation.
We’ll guide you on the most effective route to a firmer, flatter belly that will help restore your youthful confidence.
