In general, patients are usually free to return to work from a mini tummy tuck in 5-7 days, while patients who undergo a full tummy tuck may require 10-14 days to recover.Īt ArtfulSurgery, a mini tummy tuck is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. With a mini tummy tuck, the corrections are not so extreme that the belly button needs to be repositioned.įinally, the surgery and recovery time will be shorter with a mini tummy tuck than with a full tummy tuck. Since the full tummy tuck offers such comprehensive results across the entire abdomen, it is often necessary to reposition the belly button during the procedure for natural-looking results.
MINI TUMMY TUCK RECOVERY WEEK BY WEEK SKIN
For patients suffering from skin or muscle laxity in their upper abdomen, a full tummy tuck will be necessary to achieve their desired results. Lee to access the abdominal muscle, tissue, and skin from the breast to the pelvis. The larger incisions utilized in a full tummy tuck allow Dr. The smaller incision in a mini tummy tuck means that the corrections will take place below the belly button. However, the full tummy tuck will offer more comprehensive results than the mini tummy tuck. Lee less access to the patient’s muscle wall and will, therefore, minimize the corrections that she can perform.īoth a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck aim to give the patient a more toned and flatter stomach.
On the other hand, the full tummy tuck utilizes a longer incision running from hip to hip, as well as an incision around the belly button. A smaller scar will obviously be appealing to many patients, but it is important to keep in mind that the smaller incision will give Dr. The resulting scar is very easy to cover up and will fade over time. The mini tummy tuck utilizes a single incision that runs across the pubic line. It is also a popular procedure for mothers who are having trouble regaining their pre-baby belly. However, women who wish to undergo a tummy tuck should be aware that future pregnancies may reverse the results of their operation. Lee recommends that patients wait until they are done having children to undergo a tummy tuck operation.īoth men and women are good candidates for a mini tummy tuck, especially if they have lost weight and have excess skin that won’t “bounce back” to their newly contoured shape. While a mini tummy tuck procedure is faster and requires less recovery time than a full tummy tuck procedure, it is still a serious operation. Patients must be in good health prior to undergoing surgery. This means that they should be at a stable weight and be nonsmokers, as well as be able to heal properly.ĭr. If they have muscle and skin laxity above their belly button as well, then they may be better suited for a full tummy tuck procedure. Ideal patients for a mini tummy tuck have muscle and skin laxity below their belly button that is not responsive to diet and exercise. From this incision, muscles below the belly button can be tightened and excess skin can be removed in order to give the patient a more contoured and attractive stomach.
The mini tummy tuck utilizes a small incision across the pubic line, similar to the incision used in a cesarean section, that can be easily covered up with a bathing suit or shorts. However, it will not offer the same comprehensive results as a full tummy tuck. Lee provides each of her patients with top notch care.Ī Mini Tummy Tuck is less invasive than a standard abdominoplasty and will, therefore, require less recovery time. With a surgeon’s hands and a woman’s touch, Dr. Elizabeth Lee approaches tummy tucks and mini tummy tucks in terms of what is most appropriate for the patient’s goals and body. This technique variation can be very beneficial for patients who have an overall good physique, but the area below the belly button is not responding to diet and exercise.Īt ArtfulSurgery, Dr. If sagging, stretched skin is limited to the area around your belly button, you may be best served by a mini tummy tuck.Ī mini tummy tuck is a variation of abdominoplasty for patients who only need to remove excess skin and tighten muscles below the belly button. The tummy tuck is the gold-standard treatment for removing excess skin from the abdomen to restore a flat, taut stomach.įor those who desire a flatter,tighter abdomen, but would prefer a shorter recovery time, the mini tummy tuck may be ideal.