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For those with lax skin and possibly some excess fat in the lower abdomen, the mini tummy tuck may be a good solution. This is also a great choice for those who want to avoid a long recovery. Mini tummy tuck surgery is less invasive than the traditional tummy tuck surgery, called abdominoplasty.

Mini Tummy Tuck Candidates

A mini tummy tuck, also referred to as a partial abdominoplasty, can frequently be a terrific alternative for those individuals with a small amount of excess skin in t he lower abdomen that they wish to be removed. These individuals do not have greatly protruding or highly slack stomach muscles. Persons whose stomach area is beginning to sag from aging or who have slimmer abdomens that they want to shape into a more attractive shape may decide that the mini tummy tuck is their ideal solution.

The Mini Tummy Tuck Procedure

General anesthesia is sometimes used for mini tummy tuck surgery, but local anesthetic and a mild sedative are usually sufficient. The incision length used for a mini tummy tuck will be based on the amount of skin a physician plans to remove; the length will typically be shorter than an incision needed for a traditional tummy tuck. Whereas in a traditional tummy tuck the surgeon usually must reposition the navel, this is not generally necessary in a mini abdominoplasty. Sometimes liposuction is used as a complementary treatment to shape the stomach.

In the same way as a mini tummy tuck procedure requires a smaller incision than the traditional tummy tuck, the mini tummy tuck also requires that a less significant section of the abdominal wall is exposed; typically, the treatment area runs from the incision point to the belly button. After fat has been taken out, and the stomach muscles have been tightened, the doctor stretches the skin down, incising any extra tissue and securing the rest of the skin into place. A temporary drainage tube may be placed in the incision site.

Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery

The patient usually is released from the surgical facility or hospital only a few hours post mini tummy tuck surgery. The recovery period is very similar to that of liposuction. Post operative pain is experienced but can generally be kept under control with over-the-counter medication. Patients can typically get back to work after a few days of having the mini abdominoplasty procedure but should not engage in strenuous activities for at least a few weeks.

If you are in the La Jolla/San Diego area and are considering a mini or traditional tummy tuck procedure, please visit the Web site of Dr. John Smoot, Dr. Wendell Smoot, and Dr. Richard Chaffoo to schedule a tummy tuck consultation.