A partial abdominoplasty, or mini tummy tuck, is mostly useful to those candidates with a small amount of excess skin in the lower abdominal region that needs removal. These people do not have excessive, protruding, or highly slack muscles in the stomach.
Individuals who possess a stomach area that is beginning to sag due to aging or who have slimmer abdomens wishing for a more attractive shape can decide if the mini tummy tuck is a suitable option.
Procedure
A mini tummy tuck is performed in a surgical facility or hospital, and it requires general anesthesia, but local anesthesia and a mild sedative have been proven methods that work effectively. The incision length is based on the amount of skin a surgeon plans to remove. The length on average runs no more than the length of a regular tummy tuck.
In a traditional tummy tuck, the surgeon generally repositions the navel, but this is not necessary for this procedure. The mini tummy tuck requires that a less significant area of the abdominal wall be exposed. The treatment area will run from the incision point to the belly button. After fat has been suctioned out, the muscles of the stomach will be tightened.
Then the cosmetic surgeon will stretch the skin down, removing any excess tissue and securing the rest of the skin back into position. A temporary drainage tube is then placed into the incision site.
Cost
A mini tummy tuck will cost from approximately $2,650 to $8,250, depending on the seve
rity of the problem, the location, and the experience of the plastic surgeon.
Risks and Complications
Serious complications after a partial abdominoplasty surgery are uncommon. However, there are risks with any surgerical procedure. Complications such as blood clots and infection are rare, but do occur. Infection can usually be managed through drainage and antibiotics.
Moving around as soon as possible after the mini tummy tuck will minimize the risk of blood clots. If wounds develop, regions of the skin could die, and slough off, resulting in a delay in the healing process.
To decrease the risk of complications, be sure to always follow the surgeon’s directions. Surgical scars will be permanent; however, the incision is generally made below the swimsuit line, allowing the scar to remain undetected.
Recovery
The patient is then released just hours after the mini tummy tuck has been completed. The recovery period is usually about one week to several months, depending on the treated area.
Recovery will progress to a point where the individual can continue their normal activities after one to two weeks, and a full recovery is usually made within a few months. Post-operative pain can be managed through over-the-counter medications such as Advil or Ibuprofen.
With modern treatment, an individual can achieve an attractive, more youthful appearance after receiving a mini tummy tuck.