A mini tummy tuck is also known as a partial abdominoplasty. This procedure involves removing excess fat and skin from the abdomen. The surgeon will remove fat from the hips, back, and thighs as well to give you a more hourglass figure. The muscle beneath the skin will be tightened so that it does not sag in later years.
The surgery itself lasts about 2 hours and is done under general anesthesia in an operating room. Patients will have drains attached to their body during this time to allow fluid to flow out of their incisions so they don’t get infected or have fluid build up inside them after surgery. These drains are removed when they are no longer needed, which could be anywhere from a few days up until several weeks after surgery depending on how much fluid was produced during surgery and how quickly your body absorbs it naturally over time.”
Fast facts
About
- Mini tummy tucks tighten the area of the stomach between your belly button and pubic area.
- They’re most effective for people who are within their recommended weight range but have a little pooch — maybe from pregnancy or quick weight gain — that doesn’t seem to flatten with diet or exercise.
Safety
- Mini tummy tucks are typically considered safe.
- However, risks include infection, irregular scarring, or fluid accumulation under your skin.
Convenience
- Mini tummy tucks are an in-office procedure that should only be done by a certified plastic surgeon.
- Recovery can take 6 weeks or more.
Cost
- A mini tummy tuck in the United States typically costs between $3,500 and $8,000.
- This cost depends on the surgeon and where you live.
Efficacy
- Mini tummy tucks are an effective way to flatten and tighten your lower stomach.
- The results are typically permanent.
What is a mini tummy tuck?
A mini tummy tuck is less invasive than a full tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty.
Mini tummy tucks target the area of your stomach under your belly button. They’re often effective for people who are within their recommended weight range but have extra skin or fat, sometimes called a pooch, that’s hard to get rid of with diet and exercise alone.
How much does a mini tummy tuck cost?
The price of a mini tummy tuck will vary depending on the surgeon you’re seeing and where you live.
Generally, a tummy tuck in the United States will fall somewhere between $3,500 and $8,000. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for a tummy tuck in 2019 was $6,092.
So, you may want to get several opinions to find a plastic surgeon who fits within your budget. Because it’s an elective cosmetic procedure, a mini tummy tuck won’t be covered by your insurance.
How does a mini tummy tuck work?
A mini tummy tuck flattens the lower abdomen and can help eliminate the pooch that often occurs in the lower belly.
During the procedure, the muscles in your lower abdomen may be sutured together, but this isn’t visible from the outside. Excess skin will be trimmed and laid flat.
In some cases, liposuction will be done to remove excess fat.
A mini tummy tuck may get rid of certain stretch marks, too. Whether or not your stretch marks will be removed really depends on their placement on your body and how much excess skin you have.
Diastasis recti, the separation of ab muscles, often occurs during pregnancy. It affects your full stomach above and below your belly button (think the six-pack muscles), so a full tummy tuck is a better course of action to
Procedure for a mini tummy tuck
During a mini tummy tuck procedure, an incision about 4 to 8 inches long will be made to your lower abdomen.
This is about the length of the average C-section scar. In fact, if you’ve had a C-section, they’ll likely use the same incision for a mini tummy tuck, although it may be longer.
The surgeon may tighten loose muscle and remove any excess skin, resulting in a flatter lower stomach. Results are best if you’re close to your original weight and not planning to get pregnant again.
Targeted areas for treatment
As you probably guessed from the name, a mini tummy tuck targets your tummy, specifically the lower part of your stomach between your belly button and pubic area.
Your belly button won’t be changed with a mini tummy tuck, whereas with a full abdominoplasty, it would change.
If you’re looking to flatten your entire stomach from the rib cage down, a full tummy tuck is likely the better option.
What to expect
You’ll likely wear an abdominal binder for several weeks to help support your abs as they heal.
You’ll see some results immediately, but you’ll see the full results once the swelling goes down, around 6 weeks.
Results should be permanent, barring weight gain or pregnancy.
Before-and-after pictures
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When deciding whether the procedure is right for you and your body, it can be helpful to see before-and-after photos of real people who’ve had tummy tucks. Below you’ll find some before-and-after pictures.
Preparing for a mini tummy tuck
Days before your scheduled mini tummy tuck, you’ll likely need to get a blood panel to make sure you’re in good health.
You may also be told to:
- stop smoking
- limit alcohol
- refrain from taking anti-inflammatory drugs (like aspirin) and certain herbal supplements, which may worsen bleeding or prevent proper clotting
Mini tummy tuck vs. full tummy tuck
During a full tummy tuck, your doctor will put you under anesthesia. They’ll then make a horizontal incision above your pubic hairline.
If your muscles have stretched, they’ll be sewed together so they tighten. Sometimes liposuction will also be done to remove excess fat.
Then the skin will be pulled taut around your abdomen to create a flat stomach. Excess skin will be cut off. In some cases, a surgeon will reshape your belly button.
A full tummy tuck can better correct diastasis recti, a splitting of the ab muscles that often occurs during pregnancy.
The difference is that a mini tummy tuck is only performed on the lower abdomen, while a full tummy tuck is done on a larger area of the stomach.
What Is The Recovery Time For A Mini Tummy Tuck
The recovery time for a mini tummy tuck is around 6 weeks. Patients with strong abdominal muscles may even feel back to normal in as little as 2 weeks. As everyone heals at a different rate, some patients may recover faster or slower than others. Here’s what to expect after your mini tummy tuck:
- 4-5 days – some mild to moderate pain and discomfort. Your surgeon will advise you on how to manage any pain you have.
- 1 week – in the first week, try to avoid unnecessary straining.
- 1-2 weeks – resume light exercise like walking
- 3-4 weeks – most of the swelling will subside.
- 6 weeks – avoid strenuous exercise and activity for at least 6 weeks. You will need to wear your compression garment for up this time.
There will be swelling and discomfort after your procedure, so it’s important that you arrange for someone to pick you up and drive you home after the surgery. You will need to avoid driving until further down the recovery timeline. You will also need some help getting to your follow up appointments before you can start driving comfortably.
In the first week, you will be wearing a compression garment. A post-operative compression garment helps to reduce swelling, take the pressure off the wound site, and aid recovery. It can take a little time to get used to wearing it, but it’s important you wear your compression garment for optimal results.
It’s difficult to give a precise time for recovery, but this timeline gives you a good idea of what to expect. Even though you’re still healing after several weeks, the main recovery time is about 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, you can mostly return to normal activities, except for very strenuous exercise.
In general, the recovery time for a mini tummy tuck is shorter than a full tummy tuck. But, if you need your muscles repaired, then it may take a little longer. Without muscle repair, you could be driving again after 1 week, and with muscle repair, you would be looking at waiting 2 weeks until you can drive.
Mini Tummy Tuck Before and After
Preparing for Your Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery
For a smooth and seamless recovery, it’s a good idea to prepare your recovery space ahead of time. Here are some tips to help set you up for a comfortable mini tummy recovery:
- Stop smoking
- Book time off work
- Prep healthy meals
- Stock up on extra pillows
- Eat well
- Follow your doctor’s instructions before and after the procedure
Following your mini tummy tuck, you may have to sleep on an incline for the first few days. Keeping the upper body slightly raised with the knees bent at an angle helps minimise swelling. Stacking up pillows underneath your knees can also help ease the pressure on your abdomen. Your doctor should advise you on how to sleep after your surgery.
Once you get home and begin recovery, try and move as much as possible, even if it means walking around the house. Moving helps keep the blood flowing, reducing the risk of blood clots in the legs and maximising recovery.
Your doctor will also advise on the optimal resting position to avoid straining your incision. Make sure you rest as much as possible to aid in recovery. It may take a few weeks to feel fully back to normal. You won’t be able to do some things like driving following your procedure for a few weeks. Your activities will also be limited to only light activities until after four to six weeks.
What are the Possible Side Effects of a Mini Tummy Tuck?
You will experience the most intense pain the first few days following the procedure. You can manage the pain through pain medication prescribed by your doctor. You might also experience swelling that can take up to three months to resolve. Due to the incision, your abdomen may also feel like it’s being pulled whenever you try standing up straight.
Some people also experience numbness in the abdomen for months. It’s normal to have bruising along the incision and the surrounding areas. You might also have fluid-filled swelling above your tummy tuck scar. This should go away as you recover. A tummy tuck will often result in a scar which may appear raised and red at first but should continue fading over the next year, becoming almost invisible.
How to find a provider
A mini tummy tuck should be performed only by a board-certified plastic surgeon — and if the price for the procedure seems too good to be true, it probably is.
You may want to meet with the surgeon beforehand to talk about your desired results and what to expect from the procedure, as well as to see before-and-after photos of real clients.