Mini Tummy Tuck

A Mini Tummy Tuck is also known as a Mini Abdominoplasty procedure. This procedure is suitable for people who do not have sufficient excess skin and fatty tissue in the abdomen to have a full Tummy Tuck operation. 

What is involved?

• A Mini Tummy Tuck is usually used for people who do not have sufficient excess skin in their lower tummy to allow them to have a full Tummy Tuck.
• You can assess whether you would be suitable for a Mini Tummy Tuck by gently pinching your tummy skin whilst leaning forward:
  • If you can get the skin around your tummy button down to the area around your pubic skin, you would probably be better suited to a Full Tummy Tuck
  • If, however, the skin does not stretch this far, you may well be suitable for a Mini Tummy Tuck
• The scars from a Mini Tummy Tuck are slightly smaller than for a Full Tummy Tuck and you will not have a scar around the tummy button.
• In both cases, the muscles of the tummy (rectus-abdominis muscles) can be repaired and stitched together.
• During the procedure (as illustrated on our Mini Tummy Tuck video), approximately half of the skin between your tummy button and your pubic area is removed.
• The muscles can then be tightened up underneath this.
• Unlike a Full Tummy Tuck, the tummy button is divided from the inside and brought downwards.
• No incision is made around the tummy button in a Mini Tummy Tuck, unlike the Full Tummy Tuck procedure.
• Your incision will then be closed in three layers with absorbable sutures which will need to be trimmed 1 week following surgery.

YOUR RECOVERY

• A Mini Tummy Tuck recovery is generally slightly quicker than that of a Full Tummy Tuck.
• The surgery takes approximately 1.5 hours and can be combined with liposuction to your upper tummy and flank area as appropriate.
• The recovery is slightly longer if you do have your muscles repaired as this will be slightly more tender following your operation.
• You will stay in hospital for 1-2 days following surgery and may have 1-2 small drainage tubes inserted under the skin to remove any excess fluid in your recovery period.
• On the day following your surgery, you will be fitted with a surgical compression garment which produces gentle pressure on your tummy area to reduce swelling and bruising.
• Your drainage tubes will normally be removed on the day following surgery and you will be encouraged to mobilise gently in the hospital.
• You will be discharged home 1-2 days following surgery, depending on your recovery and during the week, prior to your Dressings Clinic appointment, should mobilise gently around the house including short trips outside the house.
• During this recovery period, we would advise you against performing any activities such as lifting or performing any manual work.
• If you have young children it is best to organise extra help with them during this time to avoid any lifting activities.
• At your Dressings Clinic appointment (1 week following surgery) the wounds will be checked and the ends of the absorbable sutures trimmed.
• Brown micropore tape will then be applied to the incisions to support them and help your scars heal.
• We will see you regularly following this and will take your postoperative photographs at your appointment 6 weeks following surgery.

Your results

• Mini Tummy Tuck surgery is ideally suited to people of relatively normal weight who have excess skin in the lower part of their abdomen.
• It could also be used to repair the muscles of your tummy if they have split apart significantly.
• The scars following your surgery will initially be pink but will, in most cases, fade to a silvery colour within 1 year following surgery.
• Our surgeons will aim to locate any scars within any underwear or swimwear that you tend to wear.