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A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY
What is a mini tummy tuck procedure?
Also known as a mini-abdominoplasty or partial abdominoplasty, a mini tummy tuck tightens the bottom half of your abdomen by removing excess skin. Although it is not a substitute for weight loss and exercise programs, this procedure can improve the appearance of a protruding or sagging abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and restoring weakened or separated muscles in the abdominal wall.
Full Tummy Tuck
Mini Tummy Tuck
No-Drain Tuck
Dr. Nesmith and his staff are trained to ensure every patient receives the highest quality medical care with a personal touch. Our goal is to help patients achieve their ideal image and improve their self-confidence. If you are considering a mini tummy tuck in Gainesville, contact Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center to schedule a consultation with our surgeons.
Benefits of a mini tummy tuck
in Gainesville
In most cases, a mini tummy tuck results in a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is proportionate with the patient’s weight. This procedure can correct some of the effects of aging or weight fluctuations as well as pregnancy or prior surgeries like a C-section.
It can help you achieve a slimmer profile that can boost your self-confidence. The best results are seen following proper aftercare of the healing tissue and with a long-term commitment to healthy weight control.
A mini tummy tuck procedure generally costs less than a full tummy tuck. Patients can often return to work sooner after this less aggressive surgery. This procedure does not address stretch marks or skin laxity of your upper abdomen.
Ideal candidates for a
mini tummy tuck
As with any type of plastic surgery, the ideal candidates for a mini tummy tuck are physically healthy and do not smoke. They have realistic expectations about what plastic surgery can achieve for them. You should be near your ideal body weight prior to surgery. Women considering a mini tummy tuck should not intend to get pregnant again.
Mini tummy tucks are popular among men and women alike. A patient’s decision to have a mini tummy tuck is personal and can stem from a variety of reasons. If any of the following describe your case, a mini tummy tuck is an option to consider:
- You feel that your belly sticks out or has a slight pooch, even when you are in good shape.
- Diet and exercise have helped you lose weight, but your abdomen still protrudes and lacks tone.
- After significant weight loss, you now have loose excess skin hanging around your abdomen.
- Your abdominal muscles and skin are stretched and sagging after pregnancy.
- You need scar revision following a C-section.
When can moms have a mini tummy tuck?
Similar to other plastic surgery procedures, it is best to wait until you have completed your family before having a mini tummy tuck. Pregnancy after a mini tummy tuck can greatly reduce the results of your procedure.
If you have just given birth, our board-certified plastic surgeons recommend waiting 6 months to a year before your mini-abdominoplasty. You should allow your body time to recover on its own after pregnancy and childbirth – and this could take more or less time for different women.
If you have had two or more children, you may want to consider the more extensive results of a full tummy tuck. You can discuss your goals for surgery with Dr. Nesmith at a consultation.
Mini tummy tuck procedure
In general, this procedure takes two to three hours. First, medication is administered in the form of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. A mini tummy tuck requires a single horizontal incision made above the pubic area.
The surgeon removes excess skin and/or fat and tightens loose muscles to flatten the area. If you have a C-section scar, this is often a part of the excess skin removed. The resulting scar from a mini tummy tuck will often be thinner, lower, and less visible.
In some cases, liposuction techniques may be used to sculpt the abdomen into the desired shape. At the end of the procedure, the surgeon pulls down the remaining skin and sutures the incisions.
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How long do I need to recover from a mini tummy tuck?
Most mini tummy tucks can be performed as outpatient procedures, allowing you to go home on the day of the surgery. You should expect some soreness and discomfort for the first week or two. Many patients can return to work after one week. If your job is physically demanding, you may be advised to wait two weeks or longer.
Our plastic surgeons will give you instructions for post-op care tailored to the specifics of your case. Generally, patients are required to spend the first few days at home resting. Some walking around the house is encouraged to maintain healthy circulation. Your surgeon may place a drain to remove excess fluid or recommend a compression garment to reduce swelling.
Patients who undergo post-pregnancy tummy tuck surgery will need full-time help taking care of small children. You should refrain from lifting and straining – it could stretch the incision and possibly lead to swelling and bleeding.
Results of a mini tummy tuck surgery
It can take a few weeks to a few months for the swelling from your surgery to go down completely and for your skin to relax and look more natural.
The improvements made during a mini tummy tuck are meant to last, but they can be disrupted by things like:
- pregnancies
- weight gain
- aging
You should maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise to ensure the best results.
Mini Tummy Tuck Scar Length
With a traditional tummy tuck, the incision goes from hip to hip. This incision is typically in a “V” or a “U” shape. Additionally, there may be an incision around the belly button.
With a mini tummy tuck, scar length may be significantly reduced. It all depends on the amount of skin the surgeon must remove to get the desired result. Mini tummy tucks don’t typically include an incision around the belly button so that you won’t have a belly button scar.
Expect a scar of 4 to 8 inches across the pubic area in a “smile” shape. These scars are usually easy to hide, even in a bikini swimsuit bottom.
However, if your surgeon must remove a significant amount of skin, you may have a hip-to-hip scar as you would with a full tummy tuck. Usually, though, mini tummy tuck scar length is less.
If a surgeon attempts to make a shorter incision work when a longer one would be better, the skin at the ends of the incision can bunch up. This looks worse than a longer scar would. Your surgeon can advise you on mini tummy tuck scar length based on experience.
Whatever length of scar your incision produces, you can help minimize the prominence of the scar by following aftercare instructions carefully. Take all incision care steps that your team advises, and attend all follow-up appointments.
Do I need a full or mini tummy tuck?
During your initial consultation at Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center, you will discuss your goals, concerns, and expectations with your surgeon. The surgeon and the patient together decide which procedure is best based on factors like:
- Patients’ underlying anatomies
- Location and amount of extra skin
- Clothing preferences
- Any scar-related concerns
A full tummy tuck procedure might be a better fit for you if:
- A roll of skin forms above your waist when you bend at the waist
- You need significant muscle repair or tightening, especially above the belly button
- You've lost massive amounts of weight
See more about full tummy tucks in Gainesville here.
What is the difference between a full tummy tuck and a partial tummy tuck?
A full tummy tuck is a much more extensive procedure than a mini tummy tuck because it targets the entire abdominal area. Often, the full procedure removes twice as much abdominal skin. Due to the more extensive muscle tightening, it requires a longer recovery time.
An advantage of a mini tummy tuck is that the length of the scar is often much shorter. A full tummy tuck may require an incision from hip to hip. Additionally, the mini procedures are easier to revise later if weight fluctuations or pregnancy affect the results.
Can a mini tummy tuck fix diastasis recti?
Diastasis recti is a condition in which muscles in the abdominal wall separate and cause the stomach to protrude. This can result in an unpleasant abdominal contour that persists despite maximizing diet and exercise. This can occur in both men and women and can occur above or below your belly button. Because a mini tummy tuck procedure is performed below your belly button, this surgery would not correct diastasis recti in your upper abdomen.
Dr. Nesmith will recommend the surgical procedure that is best suited to your body condition and your goals.
How much is a mini tummy tuck?
A mini tummy tuck is less expensive than a full tummy tuck, but it is also a less aggressive surgery with more limited results. You can view pricing for all our procedures, including a mini tummy tuck and full tummy tuck, on our pricing page.
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Board-certified plastic surgeons
If you are unhappy with your breasts and considering plastic surgery, stop by our office in Gainesville, Florida.
We offer a variety of facial plastic surgery procedures so that you can be happy with the skin you’re in.
We perform body contouring procedures on men and women for a variety of aesthetic and health reasons.
If you prefer the non-surgical route, we have many options that can help you look young and feel more confident in your appearance.
Plastic surgery is not a gender-specific industry. At Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center, we often find that men have unique concerns.