Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery
A mini tummy tuck involves removing excess skin and fat in the abdominal area to help restore a youthful contour to the upper body.
What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
The operation involves removing excess fat and skin found in the abdominal area. During the surgery the loose tissue found in the abdomen region is removed to improve overall aesthetic appearance. This type of procedure tends to be quite common with patients that have given birth, experienced significant weight loss or who have had issues with previous abdominal surgery.
Case Studies
Your Mini Tummy Tuck Consultation
As the mini tummy tuck procedure involves removing excess skin the operation will be tailored to each individual patient’s needs. For example, if there are large deposits of stubborn fat present also, the procedure can be combined with liposuction for better results. Which can achieve the results you are hoping for, so long as you remain open and honest about expectations during the consultation.
There will also be questions asked about your health and lifestyle to help cater the surgery to your needs and avoid any risks that could come with the surgery. This will also help to confirm whether or not an alternative form of surgery may be more suitable.
Mini Tummy Tuck Preparation
The preparation for your mini tummy tuck surgery will be discussed prior to the surgery. There are a number of standard precautions that we advise our patients to take. For example, if you smoke excessively this can interfere with your recovery, so it is advised you stop around 6 weeks prior to surgery. You may need to lose excess weight prior to surgery to ensure the best results. Anti-inflammatory medication, aspirin and some form of herbal supplements should also be avoided. This will be discussed fully during your consultation.
As the surgery is done using a general anaesthetic, avoid drinking or eating about 6 hours before the surgery. Be prepared to feel some form of discomfort after the surgery. It is advised you take at least 2 weeks off from work after the surgery, as every patient feels different following a procedure.
What to Expect During the Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery
The length of the procedure depends on how much excess skin needs to be removed. During a mini tummy tuck there will only be a small amount of skin removed, so you can expect the surgery to take around 1.5 hours. An incision will be made just below your belly button, around the pubic region. The length of the incision will depend on the amount of excess skin or tissue removed.
A mini tummy tuck often leads to a smaller scar than a full tummy tuck or the Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty surgery, which both remove much larger amounts of skin.
After Care
Due to the position of the surgery on your body, you will be taken to the ward in order to regain movement following the procedure. Once the anaesthesia has worn off you will be able to eat and drink again. You will also feel discomfort and swelling shortly after the surgery so a form of pain relief can be provided to help numb the pain. After the surgery it’s worth following these steps in order to ensure a speedy recovery:
- Arrange for a pick up from the hospital. Otherwise the area will be strained during driving.
- Have someone available to care for you whilst you’re at home for about a week or so. As you may struggle to manoeuvre for a while.
- You will require trips to the clinic for check-ups following the procedure. Having someone to help during these early check ups is advised.
- Avoid unnecessary straining in the first week of your recovery.
- Wear a support garment for around 4-6 weeks after the surgery (this will be provided).
- After a week or two, light exercise such as walking can resume.
- Normal exercise can begin around 3-4 weeks after your mini tummy tuck surgery.
- Once your scar has healed, begin to regularly massage it in order to improve it’s long-term appearance.
