A mini tummy tuck involves a much smaller incision along the bikini line, usually up to about 20cm in length. While a mini abdominoplasty tightens and flattens the skin below the belly button, the smaller incision does not allow me to address loose skin or separated muscles in the middle or upper abdomen.
Mini tucks are ideal for people at normal body weight, with just a small, lower belly pooch. If you have excess fat, saggy skin above your belly button, or have lost a lot of weight and have a lot of excess skin, you'll need a full tummy tuck.
Cost. A mini tummy tuck costs between $4000 and $5000. The cost of a tummy tuck varies, but is usually between $4000 and $20,000.
In general, the recovery time for a full Tummy Tuck is about four weeks; a Mini Tummy Tuck takes about two weeks, as it's not as major of a surgery. During this time, you'll need plenty of assistance at home, as you won't be able to lift objects or do strenuous exercise.
Understanding a Mini Tummy Tuck
Just like a full version, an incision is placed a few inches below the navel, allowing Dr. Ortiz to repair the lower muscles and remove the loose skin. Then, the skin is pulled tightly over the lower abdomen, eliminating signs of a lower belly pooch.
Most women lose between 2 and 3 pants sizes after a tuck, but there are patients who lose even more. If you had a lot of loose skin before the procedure, for example, you could go down 4 more pants sizes.
While there are no standard weight requirements for a tummy tuck, there are some guidelines most cosmetic surgeons follow. If your BMI is not over 35 and you are within about 30% of your ideal weight and in overall good health, you should be a viable candidate for plus-size tummy tuck surgery.
The most likely reason your stomach is not completely flat following tummy tuck surgery is swelling. This tends to get worse in the days after surgery and then slowly go down. With a tummy tuck, it can take months for swelling to fully resolve. Though, visible swelling usually should resolve within about two months.
The best candidates for a mini tummy tuck will have minimal amounts of loose skin or muscle tissue that they'd like to have tightened to create a firmer, more toned look. Thus, men and women with very thin, slender builds, or those who are very active and physically fit can typically benefit from a mini abdominoplasty.
Swelling after a Tummy Tuck Is Normal
Swelling in the abdominal area is perfectly normal and expected after a tummy tuck. In this area of the body, the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels work as a drainage system for fluids. During a tummy tuck, these vessels are cut.
Patients do not experience pain during their procedure. After the skin and muscles of the lower abdomen are tightened, patients may feel sore, tight, and tender for several days. Comfort can be maintained with rest, limited activity, and appropriate medication.
Fortunately, a tummy tuck can help to reduce your waist size by removing excess skin and fat. For patients struggling with a pooch or pouch-like appearance on the lower abdomen, tightening the abdominal fascia and repairing diastasis recti can further slim their contour.
While a tummy tuck incision is similar to a C-section, the intra abdominal component of the operation is not there. This essentially means that a tummy tuck is less invasive procedure compared to the cesarean section.
2023 Melbourne Tummy Tuck price ranges
$11,000 – $15,000 for a low-cost cheaper Tummy Tuck surgery – sometimes a mini tummy tuck “skin-only” with no muscle repair. $15,000 – $19,000 for mid-range Tummy Tuck surgery. $19,000 and above for premier Tummy Tuck surgery.
It is important to note that this procedure does not involve abdominal muscle tightening or any belly button relocation. Hence, the Mini Tummy Tuck can be carried out safely in a day surgery set-up under local or twilight sedation, without the need for hospitalisation.
Mini-abdominoplasty can most always be performed under conscious sedation straight local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Standard abdominoplasty tightens all of the abdominal wall skin and abdominal muscles using a standard incision.
Expect to be at a stable weight before your tummy tuck
Most surgeons will recommend patients be between 10-15 pounds from their goal weight. This is important as gaining or losing additional weight can undo the contoured shape achieved through your surgery.
One of the main benefits of a mini tummy tuck is that the procedure itself is less complicated and recovery is typically faster than with a full tummy tuck. However, the drawback to a mini tummy tuck is that it only addresses loose skin located below the belly button.
Like any other surgical procedure, a partial abdominoplasty has its fair share of risks. These may include excess bleeding, infection at the incision site, damaged muscles or nerves, blood clots, numbness, tingling, excessive scarring, edema in the legs, and changes in skin color.
A tummy tuck doesn't include a pubic lift because it focuses on contouring the belly region, tightening the skin and muscles in your midsection. In some cases, the general trimming and contouring of your midsection can improve your pubic region's general appearance, though that isn't intentional.
Whether you're contemplating a Mommy Makeover package or just want to undergo a tummy tuck, you'll be relieved to know that any pain from this cosmetic procedure is far less than that experienced after a C-section.
If you opt for a mini truck, you can expect to lose around three pounds of excess skin and fat. If you opt for an extended tuck, you can expect to lose around five pounds of excess skin and fat.
Additionally, the skin, muscles, and fat of the abdomen were all repaired or altered during the procedure. These structures need time to heal and settle into their new positions. This causes inflammation, swelling, and other temporary side effects that can contribute to the look of the stomach.
During a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen. The skin is then draped back over the newly repositioned contours to create a smoother and more toned look. A tummy tuck — also known as abdominoplasty — is a cosmetic surgical procedure to improve the shape and appearance of the abdomen.
A mini tummy tuck is a great option for patients with a smaller amount of loose skin around their middle to be removed. It gets rid of loose skin from below the belly button instead of the whole stomach, allowing the original belly button to stay intact.