Mini Tummy Tuck surgery is a good solution for patients suffering from excess saggy skin on the lower part of tummy caused by weight loss or pregnancy. The ideal patient for a Mini Tummy Tuck is someone with a lower abdominal over hang. It is less invasive than traditional Tummy Tuck.
Some Mini tummy tucks can be performed under local anaesthetic but there is a limit to how much can be removed without general anaesthetic. Surgery is normally performed as either a day case which means you are in and out on the same day or with a one night stay in hospital. The length of the incision involved in a mini tummy tuck depends on the amount of skin to be removed, but is generally smaller than the incision required by a traditional tummy tuck. The patient should ideally be at a weight that they are happy with when they have a mini tummy tuck as with all plastic surgical procedures. It is not advisable to either gain weight or lose weight prior to a plastic surgery procedure; generally plastic surgeons would insist that your BMI is at 30 or below before considering surgery. This is because it is an elective procedure and your safety is above the most important. Studies have shown that there is an increased risk of complications following surgery for people with a BMI over 30.
After the surgery the dissolvable stitches are inserted.
Patients should refrain from swimming pool, bath and sun exposure.
The recovery time is much shorter for a mini tummy tuck but it also depends on whether you have had your muscles repaired or not. As a guide, if you have had your muscles repaired you will not be able to drive for 2 weeks whereas if you haven’t had your muscles repaired many people can return to driving after 1 week
Most patients experience some postoperative pain, but it can be controlled with over-the-counter medication. Return to work is usually possible within a few days after the surgery but refraining from strenuous activities for a few weeks is recommended.
The results of a tummy tuck either mini or full are considered relatively permanent unless you have extensive weight gain or become pregnant. In these situations the skin and tummy muscles will be stretched and this is not ideally recommended after a tummy tuck.
