Who Is a Candidate for a Mini Tummy Tuck?

The abdomen is a common area of concern for both men and women. Excess fat and sagging skin may be a result of aging, weight changes, pregnancy, hormonal changes, etc.

For those who fail to regain their ideal shape and confidence despite strict diet and exercise, plastic surgery may be a suitable option.

The most popular surgical procedure that addresses the problems in the stomach area is a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty.

You may have also heard about the less extensive variant of this intervention: mini-tummy tuck.

Who is a perfect candidate for mini-tummy tuck and what are the benefits of this approach? What is the difference between regular and mini tummy tuck procedures? Let’s find out

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck and How Does It Differ From a Full Abdominoplasty?

A mini tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that removes the excess subcutaneous fat and skin from the area below the navel. It is a simplified option and sometimes a good alternative to traditional abdominoplasty.

To understand why some people may benefit more and hence, are better candidates for a mini tummy tuck, we need to understand the distinctions between the latter two.

The goal of both procedures is the same, but they differ in a few important ways:

Treatment area – A full abdominoplasty is generally performed to address the entire abdomen region, both above and below the belly button, whereas the mini tummy tuck is confined to skin and fat between the navel and pubic area.
Less muscle repair – the same principle works with the muscles: while performing a mini tummy tuck, surgeons can only tighten lower abdominal muscles.
Scar – Although the incision of both types of abdominoplasty is located at the bikini line, at the same level as your pubic hair, the scar left after mini tummy tuck is a few inches shorter.
Belly button – remains intact during a mini tummy tuck, is relocated during a full abdominoplasty
Duration of surgery and recovery time – mini tummy tuck surgery is a relatively less invasive procedure. Therefore, its advantages include minor tissue trauma and, accordingly, a shorter and easier recovery period.

Perfect Candidate for Mini Tummy Tuck

In reality, very few people are ideal candidates for mini tummy tucks.

Taking into account the minimal scale of this intervention and the fact that it can not even affect the whole abdomen, this should not come as a surprise.

The perfect candidates for this intervention are people who are otherwise in good physical shape but have minimal amounts of loose skin or fat below the belly button, plus maybe poor lower abdominal muscle tone.

Mostly, the people who lost a lot of weight or are recovering from childbirth fall into the candidate list. As a result, mini tummy tucks are frequently a part of mommy makeover surgeries.

Here is the long list of indications and contraindications for mini-abdominoplasty.

When is Mini Tummy Tuck Indicated?

Sagging skin after childbirth
Small excess skin below the navel
Localized fat deposits
Excess skin after cesarean section
Striae (stretch marks) in the middle and lower abdomen
The decreased tone of the lower abdominal muscles
The desire to improve the appearance of the anterior abdominal wall without the use of large surgical intervention
The patient has achieved the target weight

All these flaws are quite common but easily eliminated after one short operation.

When is Mini Tummy Tuck contraindicated?

Contraindications to mini-abdominoplasty are typical as for other plastic surgeries. The patient should not have health problems, and at least 9 months should pass after childbirth.

This gap is needed to ensure that your tummy has recovered from the effects of pregnancy and returned to its initial state. The operation cannot be performed if the patient has:

Chronic cardiovascular diseases
Any other chronic disease associated with organ failure
Uncontrolled endocrine diseases, including diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease
Oncological diseases
Diseases of the blood (in particular, coagulation disorders)
Extremely low hemoglobin level (normal hemoglobin level -120)
Acute Respiratory Disorders
Some autoimmune diseases
Age less than eighteen years
Current pregnancy and pregnancy planning in the near future
An intention to lose a significant amount of weight (any future weight fluctuation can have a negative impact on the long-term results of surgery)

Some of these contraindications are temporal. For plastic surgery to pass without harm to the body, it is necessary to take time for the preparation.

You should keep in mind that there are situations in which doctors recommend postponing procedures until your health is normal.

Take-home points

Mini tummy tuck certainly offers benefits for the right candidate.

So if you are active, physically fit, have reached your desired weight, and feel the need to add the finishing touch for your ideal body shape, mini-abdominoplasty might be the perfect option.

Of course, the best way to know for sure and get more realistic expectations is to visit a certified cosmetic surgeon for a consultation.

Gvantsa Qvariani

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Who Is a Candidate for a Mini Tummy Tuck?

Published by Gvantsa Qvariani on November 9, 2021

Who Is a Candidate for a Mini Tummy Tuck?