What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
04.05.10
A mini tummy tuck is, as the name implies, a mini, or partial, version of the traditional tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck may include liposuction to remove excess fat, the lower abdominal muscles may be tightened and limited skin excision may be done to give the abdomen a flatter, smoother appearance. The mini tummy tuck is a far less invasive plastic surgery than the traditional abdominoplasty, which involves repositioning and tightening the entire span of the rectus muscles, fat removal and extensive excision of extra skin.
Because the mini tummy tuck is less invasive, the incision is smaller than in a regular tummy tuck. A short incision is made just above the pubis, and below the bikini line if possible. The procedure does not involve removing the tissue surrounding the navel. In many cases, the navel is left in its original location. The lower abdominal muscles and fascia are tightened, and liposuction is done to remove excess fat and contour the body. This surgery is intended to correct problems that are not severe enough for a traditional tummy tuck, yet more extensive than liposuction alone can correct.
A mini tummy tuck does not remove as much excess skin as the full abdominoplasty, and does not tighten the muscles in the upper abdomen. It is, however, an option for people with localized sagging or fullness in the lower abdomen, as is common after pregnancy.
This procedure, also called a partial abdominoplasty, typically takes 1 to 2 hours. The recovery time depends on the health of the patient, and the extent of the procedures done. Patients can expect to be off work from one to four weeks.
The risks of this plastic surgery are bruising, swelling, bleeding, infection, numbness or change in feeling in the surgery area, irregularities from the liposuction.
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