Mini-tummy Tuck

Don't let the "mini" part mislead you. This style of tummy tuck is no lightweight. It still produces the lovely results of a full tummy tuck, but leaves a smaller scar—about the length of a cesarean section, or 12cm—and requires less time to recover.

The mini-tummy tuck was designed for women who have moderate excess fat and loose skin below the navel, as well as a separation of the abdominal muscles (called diastasis), and for whom the extent of a full tummy tuck would be unnecessary.

Mini-tummy tuck procedure

Dr. Shapiro, a Scottsdale mini-tummy tuck specialist, performs the procedure through an incision just above the pubic region, through the skin and fat layers until it reaches the fascia.

The abdominal flap is lifted to below the belly button, where the abdominal muscles are then anchored into a tight, athletic alignment. Surgical stitches are placed in the fascia, the super-strong connective tissue that separates the abdominal muscles from the fat and skin layers.

Once the abdominal muscles have been re-aligned, the fat and skin are pulled down to meet the incision site and sutured into place. Any excess tissue is removed and is gone forever. This stretching and removal of extra skin and fat effectively creates a beautiful, stretch mark-free tummy. In a mini-tummy tuck, a new navel may be required, but often the old one can be kept.

Mini-tummy tuck with abdominal liposuction

A mini-tummy tuck is often combined with abdominal liposuction. In many cases, the mini-tummy tuck alone will not remove fat on the hips and flanks. Dr. Shapiro, a Scottsdale surgeon, uses liposuction in this case to create a beautifully balanced waistline, from front to back.

Liposuction also induces skin retraction to form fit over the top of your new, tight abdominal wall. Imagine that your skin is like shrink wrap. When the foundation beneath it (fat) is removed, it shrinks to the new foundation beneath it (muscle). Dr. Shapiro most often uses ultrasonic liposuction to help the skin retract for the optimal, most lovely results possible.

Results

The mini-tummy tuck scar is effectively hidden beneath the waistline of a bikini, and can appear as no more than a cesarean section scar. The scar is in no way a sign of surgical presence, as the c-section scar is very socially acceptable. Dr. Shapiro will always work with you to place the scar in an ideal place beneath your usual swimwear and undergarments for the ultimate restoration of self-confidence.

The results of a mini-tummy tuck are typically incredible, especially when combined with liposuction. The waistline is contoured, long and well-proportioned, while the abdominal wall has been tightened back into a flat, athletic looking tummy.

Recovery

Because the miniabdominoplasty involves a shorter scar and less removal of skin and fat, the recovery time is proportionally faster and more comfortable.

Recovery from a mini-tummy tuck has become much more bearable over the past few years with complications at an all-time minimum. Dr. Shapiro offers a pain pump to his patients that delivers pain relief instantly into the bloodstream for fast relief during recovery. Patients typically return to their normal routines within 2 to 3 weeks of surgery.