The mini tummy tuck is a procedure that only makes small cuts and can be done with local anesthesia. It’s meant to tighten the abdominal muscles and get rid of extra skin, but it doesn’t get rid of fat or change the shape of your stomach. For this procedure, the doctor makes small cuts around your belly button and cuts away fat and extra skin from your lower abdomen. Then, the surgeon tightens the muscles by sewing them together at certain points to make them look firmer.
A mini tummy tuck takes about 3 weeks to heal, and during that time, you will need to wear an elastic bandage over the cuts. After surgery, you might also have some swelling and bruises, as well as pain in your lower back or abdomen when you exercise or do something hard, like coughing or sneezing.
Read on to learn more about How Is A Mini Tummy Tuck Done, Who is a candidate for tummy tuck surgery and What Affects the Cost of a Tummy Tuck?
How Is A Mini Tummy Tuck Done
You’d love to have a flat, trim tummy, but no matter how much you diet or how many crunches you do, you still have a “pooch.” Often caused by pregnancy or weight loss, this slack area of loose skin and stretched muscle can usually only be fixed with a tummy tuck. The question is: Do you need a full or a mini tummy tuck? Renowned Raleigh plastic surgeon, Dr. Ortiz, is breaking down the difference and factors that may affect your choice so you know which one may be right for you.
Understanding a Full Tummy Tuck
For a full tummy tuck, the goal is to smooth and tone the entire front abdominal from just below the rib cage to the pubic area. The procedure begins with an incision between the navel and pubic area and a second incision above the navel. Then, excess skin is removed from the belly, and the muscles are repaired and tightened. The skin is then pulled taut over the mid section, creating a smoother, slimmer shape. Often, a new belly button will be shaped or moved higher on the belly.
Understanding a Mini Tummy Tuck
For a mini tummy tuck, the area of focus is solely underneath the navel. 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.
Choosing Which Tummy Tuck Is Right for You
Now that you have a better understanding of the procedures, you probably have a better idea of which one will align with your goals.
A mini tummy tuck is generally ideal for people who just have a small area of concern below the navel where there is a “pooch” that protrudes. It’s a less invasive procedure that is often easier to heal from while still providing you with the flatter, more toned tummy that looks great in fitted outfits and swimwear.
A full tummy tuck is the right choice for people who have excess skin, sagging, and/or roundness both above and below the navel. While it’s a more involved procedure, most patients are very happy with the results and are up and around quickly.
Regardless of which procedure you choose, both are designed for women who are done having children as future pregnancies will compromise the results. Additionally, you’ll want to maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise after Dr. Ortiz clears you to ensure your results last.
Combining Your Tummy Tuck with Other Procedures
While a tummy tuck will take care of loose skin and slack muscles, it may not remove stretch marks, unless they’re located on the part of the excess skin to be removed. Additionally, fat is not removed from the area during the procedure. However, if you have stubborn areas of fat along your abdomen or in other areas, such as your thighs, buttock, or back, Dr Ortiz can perform liposuction at the same time as you are having your tummy tuck performed.
Additionally, many women who are reclaiming their body after they are done having children will choose a “mommy makeover.” This is a customized set of procedures to help you look your best after having babies and may include a breast lift, breast augmentation, labiaplasty, or a Brazilian butt lift, depending on your goals.
What Affects the Cost of a Tummy Tuck?
Many factors come into play when determining the cost of a tummy tuck.
The extent of the procedure. In some cases, all that is involved in a tummy tuck is tightening the loose, sagging skin below the navel. However, the process is customizable to meet your needs and preferences. Depending on how much work the surgeon has to do, the procedure can either be a full, mini, or extended tummy tuck.
A mini tummy tuck that only addresses the loose skin may cost between $4,000 and $5,000. A traditional tummy tuck may cost between $8,000 and $10,000, while an extended tummy job may be worth up to $20,000.
The size of the area. If the procedure only entails tightening loose skin and eliminating fat from the lower abdomen, the cost will be relatively low. However, when you need a full tummy tuck, the procedure’s scope calls for more expenses. This is because it involves both the upper and lower abdomen. Extended tummy tucks are also more expensive because they involve the front side, back, and sides.
The volume of fat removed. The extent of the procedure can be fat removal, muscle tightening, skin lifting and tightening, and muscle reshaping or repairing. The more services you get during the process, the higher the cost will be.
The type of anesthesia used. The type and dosage of anesthesia you receive during a tummy tuck is another significant factor that affects the procedure’s cost. If you require a larger dose of anesthesia depending on the extent of the surgery, the price will be higher.
General anesthesia is usually more expensive than local anesthesia. The reason for this is that with local anesthesia, you may also have to take a sedative to help you sleep through the procedure, hence a lower dose. The cost of general anesthesia is between $425 and $1,800, while that of local anesthesia is between $500 and $3,500.
The number of procedures to be performed. In some cases, lifting and tightening your stomach skin is not enough to help you achieve your ideal aesthetic level. As such, you may be a good candidate for an extra procedure. Doing so will help to contour your body by removing excess fat. Liposuction is usually an ideal complementary procedure to tummy tuck as it draws more fat than a tummy tuck.
Who is a candidate for tummy tuck surgery?
Both men and women who desire improvement in the shape and appearance of their abdomen as well as their love handles are typically good candidates for this procedure. Men and women who have lost weight through bariatric surgery and have excess skin are also excellent candidates, and this can be an ideal procedure to include in a comprehensive Mommy Makeover for women who are looking to restore their bodies after pregnancy. It’s important to note that tummy tuck surgery is not designed to be a tool for weight loss; candidates for this treatment are usually at or near the ideal weight for their bodies. Patients must also be in reasonably good overall health and have realistic expectations for the final result.
During your initial consultation, one of our plastic surgeons will evaluate your needs and goals and determine whether you are a candidate for tummy tuck surgery.
Tummy Tuck Vs. Liposuction
Tummy tuck surgery and liposuction are similar in that they are both procedures that can effectively renew body contours; however, they are also distinct in many ways. While liposuction can be utilized to remove pockets of excess fat that have accumulated in the abdominal region, it cannot eliminate loose, inelastic skin. Tummy tuck surgery gets rid of excess skin, tightens the abdominal muscles, and redrapes the remaining skin for a firmer, flatter look. For some patients, liposuction may be all that’s necessary to achieve their goals for abdominal enhancement. For others, tummy tuck surgery or a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction will be necessary. In most cases we see here at Florida Plastic Surgery Group, the best technique for patients who can benefit from tummy tuck surgery often involves both liposuction and tummy tuck (lipoabdominoplasty), which can typically provide the most comprehensive outcome and the more ideal contour. Ultimately, it is all dependent on the individual patient’s unique needs and expectations. Our plastic surgeons will talk with you about your goals and help you determine whether liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, or a combination of the two will be the best option to optimize your results.
Tummy Tuck and Pregnancy
Many women who consider tummy tuck surgery may also be planning to have children sometime in the future. While it is still possible for most individuals to have a normal pregnancy after a tummy tuck, our doctors recommend waiting until you are sure that you are no longer planning to bear children before undergoing this procedure. A tummy tuck after pregnancy is typically the better option because it can reverse many effects that a pregnancy has on the abdomen, such as stretched abdominal muscles and the collection of excess skin in the area. If an individual undergoes a tummy tuck before pregnancy, many of the procedure’s benefits may be negated, and may require an additional tummy tuck surgery to restore the results of the initial procedure. This is one of the more prominent reasons why it is advisable for patients to be sure that they have completed their families prior to having tummy tuck surgery.
How do I prepare for tummy tuck surgery?
You should be nicotine-free for at least four weeks prior to undergoing a tummy tuck. Good nutrition in the weeks leading up to surgery and ensuring you have nothing to eat the night before surgery are also important. A member of our team will provide you with detailed pre-operative instructions before the procedure to make sure you are properly prepared for the operation and the recovery process.