Individuals who are considering abdominal contouring usually ask about a mini tummy tuck. It may sound more appealing to many patients, but it is essential to understand what a mini tummy tuck involves to appreciate what aesthetic goals it may achieve.

A mini tummy tuck is a modified version of the standard abdominoplasty. Surgery is limited to the lower abdomen. It is unable to address an underlying muscle separation or excess skin or soft tissue higher than the level of the navel (belly button).

Here are four fundamental differences between a mini and standard tummy tuck:

A mini tummy tuck is less extensive

Surgery is limited to the lower abdomen below the level of the navel. The incision is much less extensive than in a standard tummy tuck, which includes undermining the soft tissues in the abdomen to the upper abdomen following the rib cage margin. The risk of developing a fluid collection following a mini tuck vs a standard tuck is lower since surgery is less invasive.

There is less scarring from a mini tummy tuck

The transverse scar of the lower abdomen is shorter following a mini vs standard tummy tuck. The mini tummy tuck is sometimes a great option for toned and athletic women who have loose skin and minimal soft tissue in the lower abdomen after pregnancy visit (cliquez ici pour suivre le lien).

Since the scar is shorter, this limits how much redundant skin may be removed. One more advantage is that there is no additional scarring is placed around the navel.

A mini tummy tuck may be less painful

The rectus muscles are not tightened during a mini tummy tuck. The most appropriate candidate for this surgery generally presents with a mild rectus diastasis. Because a mini tuck doesn’t cut beyond the navel, muscle gapping that is present at the time of surgery cannot be corrected any higher than the navel.

If a muscle repair is performed only below the level of the navel, the appearance may be quite unnatural and is generally not recommended. The muscle application is often the most sensitive part of the surgery due to the nerve supply of the rectus sheath which is why it’s so important that you have your surgery administered by experienced and qualified surgeons like Dr Safvat plastic cosmetic surgery. A mini-abdominoplasty may, therefore, be less painful than the standard technique.

Recovery time is often shorter

Following a standard tummy tuck procedure, it is recommended to avoid strenuous activity and exercise for six weeks to reduce the risk of healing complications. Given that a mini tummy tuck is less extensive and that a rectus application is not performed, recovery time may be shorter. Exercise may be gently resumed at one month postoperatively.