Have You Considered the Mini Tummy Tuck?

Extra belly fat can accumulate due to factors like pregnancy, the aging process, and a sedentary lifestyle. Among the various fat-reduction surgeries, the tummy tuck is one of the most popular options. For patients looking for a less-invasive version of the tummy tuck, we offer the mini tummy tuck. This variation may be ideal for your aesthetic needs and goals.

What to Expect from Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery

The mini tummy tuck is a minor version of the full tummy tuck. It is generally performed to tighten flabby areas of the lower abdomen.

For a mini tummy tuck, a small C-section-like incision is made in the lower abdomen, just above the pubic region. The incision is relatively smaller than the one created for a full tummy tuck. The navel is not disturbed during the mini tummy tuck.

After the incision has been created, the stomach muscles are tightened, and excess fat and sagging skin are removed and corrected as needed to give the patient a flatter and better-contoured lower abdomen.

The Right Patient for This Procedure

If you have just a small amount of belly fat localized below the navel, then a mini tummy tuck would be sufficient to correct it.

If you have tried modifying your diet and have incorporated a healthy exercise routine focusing on tightening the tummy muscles, this can be a good start. However, many people still can’t get rid of belly flab this way. For these people, a mini tummy tuck can help. This is because while the stomach muscles can be tightened with the right set of daily exercises, loose skin requires surgical correction.

This surgery is not recommended for anyone who is trying to get pregnant. It is advisable to wait until after delivery and then go in for a medical exam.

Choosing Between the Mini and the Full Tummy Tuck

Here are the main differences that make a mini tummy tuck stand apart from a full abdominoplasty:

• Incision length: In a mini tummy tuck, the incision length is almost half the size of that done in a full abdominoplasty.
• Navel repositioning: In a mini tummy tuck, as the muscles in the lower abdomen alone are repaired, belly button repositioning is not necessary.
• Recovery time: Given the smaller incision and the lower amounts of correction done, the recovery time for mini tummy tuck surgery is relatively lower than for a full tummy tuck. In most cases, seven to ten days is all it takes for the patient to get back to their normal life.
• Results: As this is a relatively minor procedure, it is not for those looking for a large degree of correction. The amount of belly fat that can be removed with a mini tummy tuck is just around 25% of the results you would obtain with a full abdominoplasty surgery.

Scheduling Your Consultation

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Moises Salama regularly performs body-contouring procedures like the tummy tuck and will be happy to help you resculpt your abdomen. After an examination, Dr. Salama will be able to recommend the tummy tuck or the mini tummy tuck procedure.

To schedule an abdominoplasty consultation with Dr. Salama, contact our office today.