If you’re bothered by loose skin, fat, and stretch marks below your belly button only, a mini tummy tuck is a great option. This less extensive tummy tuck targets only your lower abdomen, with a slightly shorter recovery time and scar, than a full tummy tuck. With so many types of tummy tucks to choose from, understanding how they differ can be confusing. And this is especially true for a mini tummy tuck. Therefore, we created this overview to give you all the important information so that you can better understand this surgery.
What It Treats
A mini tummy tuck treats a lot of issues but there are four main problems it addresses:
- Excess skin and fat below the belly button
- Some, but not all of the stretch marks on the lower belly
- Separation of the abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
- Contour of surrounding areas if liposuction is added
The Mini Tuck Difference
Don’t be fooled by the mini moniker, this surgery makes a BIG difference. But when you compare it to a full tummy tuck, there are some notable differences. A mini:
- Has a shorter incision
- Only addresses problem areas below your belly button
- Is not great at addressing belly button issues
- Has a slightly shorter recovery than a full, especially with no muscle repair
Your Health Matters!
For you to be considered a good candidate for this procedure, you must be:
- Healthy with no uncontrolled medical conditions
- At or near a maintainable and healthy weight
- Non-smoking and living a healthy lifestyle
What Happens During Surgery
This surgery takes several hours depending on the amount of skin/fat removed and if a muscle repair or liposuction is added. Here are the surgery details:
- An incision is made at the level of your pubic hair a little less wide than your hip bones
- In most cases, all the excess skin and fat are removed below your belly button
- The abdominal muscles may be tightened at the same time
- Can be combined with waist and back lipo
- A surgical drain is commonly needed
Recovery Basics
Recovering from a mini tummy tuck is not much different than recovery from a full tummy tuck. Here are the details:
- For the first 1-2 weeks, no work duties and you will need help around the house
- Avoid exercise/strenuous activity for at least 4, maybe up to 8 weeks
- Swelling and bruising are common and can persist for weeks to months
- Compression garments are typically worn for 2-3 weeks
- Expect a longer recovery if a muscle repair is completed or liposuction is added
The Takeaway
A mini tummy tuck is ideal for addressing concerns below the belly button. It requires slightly less downtime than a full tummy tuck if a muscle repair is not added. You now understand what the procedure can address and the extent of recovery. Now that you know the truth, don’t be afraid to take the next step. Schedule an appointment with us today to determine if you are a good candidate.