You can spend minutes in plank pose every day, or do hundreds of crunches a week, and still end up with a bit of a tummy pooch. A number of factors, from pregnancy to aging, cause the abdominal area to be rounder and less flat than you’d like it to be.
If you have excess fat and skin in the tummy area that you’d like to get rid of, abdominoplasty, aka a tummy tuck, can help. The surgery removes extra skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightens the muscles in that area too. There are two different types of abdominoplasty that are regularly performed by surgeons. A mini tummy tuck is a shorter and less involved version of the traditional tummy tuck surgery.
Depending on your needs and goals, a mini tummy tuck might be the better option for you. Learn more about each type of surgery so that you can make the right choice.
Mini Tummy Tuck vs. Traditional Tummy Tuck: Target Areas
A major difference between a traditional tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck is the size of the area treated and the amount of skin and fat removed. For example, a mini tummy tuck only focuses on the lower abdomen below belly button, without any incisions around the belly button. A full tummy tuck removes as much abdominal skin and fat as possible, by relocating the belly button and tightening the abdomoinal muscles as well.
The amount of fat and excess skin you have influences whether a mini or traditional tummy tuck is best for you. If you have just a small amount of loose skin or a bit of unwanted fat, a mini surgery is most likely a better choice. A mini tummy tuck can be comibined with liposuction to sculpt the upper abdomen and waistline as well. If you have a considerable amount of loose skin or unwanted fat, you most likely won’t get the results you want from a mini abdominoplasty. Although a mini procedure offer some benefits over a full tummy tuck, it’s better to choose the full procedure if that’s the surgery you’re better qualified for.
A traditional tummy tuck can also be used to reduce the appearance of C-section scars or to minimize the appearance of stretch marks in the abdominal area. If you have either, your surgeon might recommend the traditional procedure instead of a mini surgery.
Recovery After a Tummy Tuck
Admittedly, the recovery after a traditional tummy tuck can be long. Usually, you’ll need to take between a week or two off from work. You should expect discomfort in your abdominal area after the surgery. Patients typically experience swelling, bruising, a bit of pain, and difficulty standing up because it is hard to extend the tightened abdominal area at first. However within a week of surgery, many of those symptoms subside substantially.
This information isn’t meant to discourage you from the surgery if it’s the right option for you. Instead, it’s meant to help you fully understand what to expect after a tummy tuck. The good news is that many patients are able to control or reduce any discomfort with the use of pain medications.
To help your body heal after the surgery, it’s usually recommended that you wear a special control garment for several weeks. Taking a daily, short walk will also help you. A small amount of physical activity lowers your risk for blood clots and helps reduce swelling.
Recovery After a Mini Tummy Tuck
The recovery process after a mini tummy tuck is often much shorter than recovery after a traditional surgery. You’ll still want to take about a week off from work and should take it easy for a few weeks after your surgery. Your surgeon will also most likely recommend that you wear a compression or control garment for a few weeks to help shape the tummy area and to control swelling.
While it’s difficult to stand up straight right after a full tummy tuck, you’ll be able to extend to your full height almost immediately after a mini surgery.
Scarring After the Surgery
Scarring is always a concern after any type of surgery. The truth is that both a traditional and a mini tummy tuck require an incision and will leave some type of a scar. But in both cases, the scars can usually be easily concealed by your underwear, as they are located below the bikini line. The location of the scar from either type of surgery means you can wear a swimsuit and clothing without worrying that it will show.
Candidates for a Mini Tummy Tuck
Your health, your plans for the future and the size of your tummy pooch all determine if you’re a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck or not. It’s very important that you be in good health before the surgery. That means no uncontrolled medical conditions. It also means not smoking for several weeks before and after surgery.
Many women consider a mini tummy tuck after they’ve had kids. If you’re finished having children, the surgery might be right for you. But if you plan on having another child, it’s best to wait until after your last pregnancy.
Finally, the amount of extra skin and fat in the area might be the major determining factor for you. If you’ve just got a small pooch or a limited amount of extra fat and skin, the mini surgery is most likely your best pick. Otherwise, you’ll most likely get better results from a full tummy tuck.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you aren’t happy with the shape of your tummy due to extra sagging skin, contact the Aesthetic Surgery Center to learn more about a mini tummy tuck and traditional tummy tuck. Book an appointment with Dr. Ross. Dr. Ross believes that educating and communicating with patients are the keys to helping them achieve successful, natural-looking results. Schedule your appointment at the Aesthetic Surgery Center, located at 1175 Creekside Parkway #100 in Naples, FL, by calling 239-594-9100.