Cosmetic surgeries can encompass a large number of procedures and affect many parts of the body. One of the areas that are most required by patients is the abdomen. Removing excess skin below the navel is one of the concerns to achieve a more youthful and attractive appearance. For this, there are some interesting techniques, among which abdominoplasty stands out. But in some cases, the best solution is to perform a less complex, faster and less invasive procedure. In this blog post we will answer the question of what a mini tummy tuck is and what cases it is used for.

Definitions of what a mini tummy tuck is

In principle, we must clarify that the mini tummy tuck is a variation of the more complex surgery called abdominoplasty. In this intervention, the skin and excess fat are dried from the area that goes from the navel to the pubis. It is also possible to strengthen the muscles of the abdominal wall. In the mini tummy tuck, a small amount of tissue is removed from the upper part of the pubis and allows to reduce muscle flaccidity in the lower part of the abdomen. For this reason, it is considered a minor intervention than the regular variant, although it is important to clarify that they do not replace each other and are used to deal with different issues. Indicating one or another intervention will depend on many issues, such as the amount of excess skin, the patient’s wishes and the surgeon’s decision.

The mini tummy tuck process consists of an incision in the suprapubic area and the removal of a small portion of fat through liposuction. Excess skin and fat will be removed using these techniques and sutured back together, preserving the navel location in place. The duration of the entire process is approximately 2 or 3 hours and can be performed with local or general anesthesia depending on the patient and the medical decision. It is usually performed on an outpatient basis, so in most cases it does not require hospitalization. The risks of this surgery are considered low in young patients and in good general health.

Beyond knowing what a mini tummy tuck is, we must also mention what the recovery process is like. It is likely that some pain will be perceived in the area the following days, but these can be easily reduced with analgesics. For 7 to 10 days it is advisable to take the precautions of any surgery, resting and resting for a good recovery. A compression garment is recommended for the first 4 weeks. It is important to clarify that the results are permanent, so there will be several years of an improved image. Of course, as long as you don’t gain weight quickly, nullifying the effects of the operation.

For whom is a mini tummy tuck indicated

In general, the candidates for this intervention are women who, for some reason, cannot recover their figure and the firmness of their abdomen. This may be due to a post-pregnancy situation or significant changes in weight. Dr. Anne-Sophie Lessard has extensive experience in this type of treatment and also has the advantage of being a woman and understanding the needs of her patients. Do not hesitate to make an appointment to begin evaluating her case, obtain a diagnosis and start a treatment to improve her image and her confidence.</ Span>

In any case, it should be noted that the operation can also be performed on men. It is indicated for people who suffer from excessive distension of the skin and muscles of the abdomen, generally due to weight loss or due to the aging of the body in general and of the skin in particular.

What is a mini tummy tuck: differences from a regular tummy tuck

When thinking about what a mini tummy tuck is, we inevitably have to differentiate it from a regular tummy tuck. There are several differences in these procedures, mainly the following:

• The first thing to consider is the amount of excess skin, which will be removed later. In case it is a very important amount, it is advisable to carry out a regular procedure. Instead, if it is a small but unsightly amount, a mini tummy tuck is recommended.
• The second difference has to do with the scar resulting from the intervention. The mini tummy tuck it has the advantage of leaving only a small scar just above the pubis, in the lower abdomen, similar to a caesarean section. On the contrary, abdominoplasty usually leaves a longer scar, always depending on the amount of skin removed in each patient. It is even possible to extract skin up to the back area, so the scar in those cases will surround the entire hip.
• Another issue that differentiates what a mini tummy tuck is from the regular procedure is the reconstruction of the navel. In the mini tummy tuck it is very infrequent that it is necessary to touch that part of the abdomen. In contrast, the regular tummy tuck process requires re-tightening all of the skin on the abdomen, so the navel is often misshapen and needs to be reconstructed. It may require changing the shape, size or location of it through an umbilicoplasty.
• Finally, another fundamental difference between both procedures is the time they require. While the tummy tuck usually takes about 4 hours, the mini tummy tuck can be done in half the time. In both cases, it is performed in an equipped operating room, with anesthesia and on an outpatient basis.

Conclusions

As you can see, the mini tummy tuck is a very useful procedure for patients who want to improve the appearance of the abdomen but do not have a large amount of excess skin in that area. Women after pregnancy, who are unable to recover their previous appearance in terms of skin tension, are excellent candidates for this intervention. In any case, it is also worth mentioning that this intervention is not a weight loss surgery. It is an intervention that can help improve the appearance of the abdominal skin.

The decision of what type of procedure to perform cannot be made by simple intuition. Despite knowing what a mini tummy tuck in Miami is, medical evaluation is essential to decide if this is the right procedure or if a different treatment is needed. Dr. Sophie has extensive experience and recognition in this area, so she will have no problem evaluating her case and developing a treatment tailored to her. Make an appointment at our clinic to receive a diagnosis, start treatment, and start improving your appearance and confidence.