What Is A Mini Tummy Tuck?

A mini tummy tuck or miniplasty is a cosmetic procedure that removes slightly excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. The term “mini” refers to the small size of the incision along the bikini line. 

Both men and women can have their abdomens contoured to make them tight and flat with this surgery. And it is especially popular since it leaves less noticeable scars and allows for a quick recovery. 

Still, this surgery isn’t just for everyone. That’s because a mini tummy tuck isn’t as extensive as a full tummy tuck. Therefore, there are certain limits to what it can achieve. 

In this guide, we’ll explore what a mini tummy tuck is and whether or not it’s the right choice for you. 

What’s A Mini Tummy Tuck?

A mini tummy tuck is a body contouring surgery best suited for those who have a slight belly pooch. 

Additionally, the ideal candidates for this surgery don’t have:

• A large amount of hanging skin 
• Separated abdominal muscles 
• Plans to have more children 

A mini tummy tuck can only remove excess skin and fat below the belly button. It doesn’t repair separated abdominal muscles or diastasis recti – a condition that commonly affects women after childbirth, leaving them with a visible bulge. 

With a mini (or full) tummy tuck, you should also keep in mind that you won’t be losing weight with this surgery. It’s not for weight loss. In fact, ideal candidates have already achieved their desired weight before surgery.

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Mini Tummy Tuck?

Before deciding on a mini tummy tuck, it’s a good idea to take its advantages and disadvantages into consideration. These are as follows: 

Advantages Of A Mini Tummy Tuck

The pros of a mini tummy tuck include:

• Sleeker and sculpted abdomen
• Improved shape of the abdomen 
• Replacement of C-section scar with a new, neater scar
• Removal of stretch marks below the navel (only in the target area)

Because this surgery is less invasive than a full tummy tuck, patients also feel more comfortable about having it. 

Disadvantages Of A Mini Tummy Tuck

As far as the cons of a mini tummy tuck are concerned, these are as follows: 

• Less dramatic results 
• No change in the upper abdomen 
• No stitching of separated muscles 

You shouldn’t go for a mini tummy tuck just because it’s less invasive. If you have sagging skin with stretch marks in the upper abdomen and muscle separation, it’s better to opt for a full tummy tuck. That will give you more satisfactory results. 

What Will The Procedure For A Mini Tummy Tuck Be Like?

The procedure for a mini tummy tuck includes three stages: consultation, operation and aftercare. Let’s take a closer look at each one of them. 

Consultation

One day before the surgery, you’ll have a face-to-face consultation with your plastic surgeon. During this, he’ll explain the surgery to you and answer any questions that you might have. 

It’s also when he’ll go over your treatment goals and expectations. 

In addition to the plastic surgeon, your anaesthesiologist will also examine you. They’ll also assess your overall health to ensure your safety during the surgery. 

In this pre-op consultation, blood tests are necessary. And if required, you might also be requested to get an EKG (electrocardiogram). 

If all goes well, you’ll be scheduled for your surgery the next day.

Operation

For your mini tummy tuck surgery, your surgeon will begin by administering general anaesthesia. 

Once it takes effect, an incision (less than 6 inches long) will be made above your pubic area. 

Although if you already have a scar from your C-section, the surgeon will reuse that. They might make it longer depending on how much skin and fat need to be removed. 

After that, excess fat and skin are also trimmed off. Following that, the skin is joined back together with sutures, tape or glue. 

The entire surgery takes around 1-3 hours. However, it can take longer if you’re also getting liposuction and/or breast surgery (as in a mommy makeover). 

Aftercare

A mini tummy tuck is an inpatient procedure, so you’ll be discharged the day after surgery. 

You will receive aftercare instructions and medications (painkillers and antibiotics) from your surgeon before you are discharged.

You might leave also with a drain in your surgical area (although it’s not so common). It’s important that you keep the skin around it clean. It can usually be removed after a week. 

Keep in mind that since you can’t drive for a few weeks after the surgery, it’s better to have a transfer arranged in advance. 

Additionally, while recovering, you’ll have to avoid any vigorous physical activity for at least 6 weeks. During this time (or even longer), make sure to wear your compression garment, as it may help with swelling and other post-op complications. 

Some surgeons also recommend lymphatic drainage massages to their patients. However, they can have different recommendations on when you should start performing them. Make sure to follow their advice. 

How Should You Prepare For A Mini Tummy Tuck?

Before you have your mini tummy tuck, you might have to make the following preparations: 

• Refrain from smoking for 2 weeks 
• Don’t drink alcohol for 1 week
• Don’t take any blood thinners 
• Do not eat or drink after midnight (on the night of the surgery) 
• Wear loose clothes and remove any accessories
• Make sure that your body is clean 

For household chores, you might want to consider arranging help in advance. That’s because moving around can be a bit difficult soon after a mini tummy tuck.  

How Long Will The Recovery Process Be?

Usually, the recovery period for a mini tummy tuck is 1 week. However, it can be 2-3 weeks long if you had other surgeries with it. 

And while you’re recovering, you can experience the following week or even months after the surgery: 

• Swelling 
• Bruising 
• Pain 
• Redness 
• Numbness
• Tightness 
• Itchiness 
• Scarring

They should subside on their own (provided you take your medications too). 

However, this surgery also carries certain risks. Therefore, if you have any complications (infection, bleeding, seroma formation, dehiscence, sensation changes, etc.) during recovery, contact Longevita’s Aftercare team. 

What Will The Cost Be For A Mini Tummy Tuck?

In the UK, the mini tummy tuck cost can be anywhere from £6,000 to £10,000. Since it’s a cosmetic procedure, it’s not available on the NHS. 

You can only get it privately, and there, you have to account for the costs of consultation, medication, garments, and follow-ups separately. 

The price can further vary depending on the location of the clinic, the type of anaesthesia, and the experience of the surgeon. 

Mini tummy tucks are also quite expensive in the US, ranging from $5,000 to $6,000. 

Therefore, to save costs, you can consider getting a mini abdominoplasty in Turkey, which costs around £2,200 for an all-inclusive treatment plan. 

It’s only cheaper because of exchange rates and differences in the cost of living. The surgery itself, with the right surgeon, can be very high-quality. 

What’s The Difference Between A Tummy Tuck And A Mini Tummy Tuck?

A full tummy tuck targets the upper and lower abdomen, whereas a mini tummy tuck only targets the lower abdomen. This is the main difference between the two procedures. 

As a result, the surgeon is able to remove twice as much skin and fat in a full abdominoplasty. Additionally, they can repair abdominal muscle separation.

However, its incision lines are longer (running from hip to hip), and it also cuts around the belly button. To get a better idea, make sure to check out our tummy tuck gallery. 

Since a full tummy tuck is more aggressive and invasive, it has a longer downtime. But it can give better results to those who have more sagging skin and fat deposits. 

Here’s a detailed summary of the differences between the two surgeries: 

	Full Tummy Tuck	Mini Tummy Tuck
Procedure	Removal of excess skin and fat from the upper and lower abdomen with muscle repair (if needed)	Removal of excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen
Incision	Extends horizontally from hip to hip (can be up to 12 inches) and around the belly button	Less than 6 inches above the pubic area
Suitable Candidates	Moderate to severe sagging skin with extensive abdominal muscle separation	Slight stomach pooch with fat deposits
Anaesthesia	General	General
Downtime	2-3 weeks	1 week
Cost	UK: £7,000 to £12,000 Turkey: £2,200-£2,500	UK: £6,000 to £10,000 Turkey: £1,900 to £2,000

Longevita Has Experienced Mini Tummy Tuck Surgeons 

Longevita is an award-winning provider of cosmetic surgeries to medical tourists. Having an experience of over a decade, we work with world-class surgeons to offer the best care and results to our patients. 

Our tummy tuck specialists are members of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) and the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. And they have a combined experience of over 40 years.

They are registered with the Ministry of Health and operate in state-of-the-art facilities to give our patients the best experience. 

If you have any questions or want our surgeons to prepare a customised treatment plan for free, don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Reviewed and Approved by Prof Dr Fuat Yuksel

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