If you just have a “belly pooch” that you like to eliminate, then a mini-tummy tuck might be for you. A mini-tummy tuck is an ideal procedure for patients that have an excess of abdominal skin and fat below the belly button and some muscle weakness but do not require a full restructuring of the abdominal wall.
Typical Timing/Age
30-65 years old
Problem
Excess abdominal skin and subcutaneous fat below the belly button and/or abdominal wall muscle laxity. This is usually caused by pregnancy, weight fluctuations and aging. Excess abdominal skin above the belly button and/or more significant abdominal wall muscle laxity is more effectively addressed with traditional abdominoplasty, not a mini-abdominoplasty.
Procedure
Through a horizontal incision on your lower abdomen excess skin and subcutaneous fat are removed. Also through this incision, your abdominal wall muscles are sutured together to improve your abdominal contour. There are no sutures to remove, as they are all internal. The resultant scars are a horizontal scar across your lower abdomen. A mini-abdominoplasty leaves no scar around your belly button because only the tissues below the belly button are addressed. Depending on your abdomen, drains may or may not be used.
Goal
To improve lower abdominal contour.
Facility
Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Patients should be at a stable weight and should avoid using any nicotine-containing substances.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Recovery
Hospital stay
A mini-abdominoplasty is out-patient surgery. A hospital stay is not required.
Positioning
After a mini-abdominoplasty, you will need to keep your hips flexed at all times for 1-2 weeks to help minimize the tension on your skin incision. This means walking around a little hunched over and sleeping in a recliner or in bed with pillows under your back and under your knees.
Assistance
You will need someone to help take care of you after surgery as you will not be able to lift children, heavy items, etc.
Walking
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
After 48 hours you should remove your dressings and take a shower.
Exercise
1 week for light exercise. 3 weeks for regular exercise. 6 weeks for abdominal exercises.
Sex
Wait 3 weeks because you don’t want to stress your incisions or increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.
Work
1-2 weeks depending on your type of work
Swelling
Can persist for 3-6 months
Bruising
Usually subsides after 2-3 weeks
Risks & Complications
Hematoma, Seroma, Infection, Poor scarring, Dehiscence, Delayed wound healing, Skin necrosis, Asymmetry, Numbness, Thromboembolism, Contour irregularities, Need for revision, Complications related to anesthesia.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, Dr. Patterson
