Massive weight loss or pregnancy causes stretch marks and sagging skin that can be very hard to remove. The skin around the midsection is often loose and sagging, making women self-conscious of their appearance. Either a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck can remove the excess skin and fat, and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall to create a smoother, more toned appearance.
What Is Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall.
This surgery is usually performed on people who have undergone massive weight loss or women who have had multiple pregnancies. It can also be done to correct muscle laxity that has occurred due to age or genetics.
What Is A Mini-Tummy Tuck?
There are two types of tummy tucks: a full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck. A full tuck is more extensive, and usually requires a longer incision than a mini tuck. The mini tuck is less invasive and may be an option for patients who have a small amount of excess skin and fat.
The mini tummy tuck does not involve the removal of any vertical skin incisions, unlike a full tuck. As such, the mini tuck scar is shorter than that of a full tummy tuck. The mini tummy tuck can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.
Who Often Gets This Treatment?
This procedure is ideal for men or women who are in good shape but have excess skin and fat around the abdomen that they would like removed. Candidates for surgery should be at a stable weight and be committed to maintaining their weight through diet and exercise. A tummy tuck is not an alternative to weight loss but can help patients achieve their desired shape.
Most people who opt for a tuck are women who, after one or more pregnancies, have developed excess skin and fatty deposits in the abdominal area that diet and exercise alone cannot get rid of. People who have undergone massive weight loss — 100 pounds or more — often also opt for a treatment to remove the hanging and loose skin.
Men can also benefit from the procedure, especially if they have developed a potbelly or “beer gut.” Age is not necessarily a factor in deciding whether or not to have a tummy tuck; the key is whether the individual has excess skin and fat that they want to be removed.
What To Expect From The Procedure?
The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, so you will be asleep during the surgery. Incisions are made along the lower abdomen, from hip to hip. Through these incisions, your surgeon will access the underlying tissue and muscle, which will then be tightened with sutures. Excess skin and fat will be removed, and the remaining skin will be pulled down and re-draped over the newly tightened muscles. A new opening for the belly button will be created, and the incisions will be closed with sutures.
You can expect some degree of swelling and bruising following surgery, which should dissipate over the course of a few weeks. You will also have drains in place to help remove excess fluids from the surgical site. These drains will be removed after a few days. Recovery times vary from patient to patient, but most people take approximately two weeks before they feel well enough to return to their normal activities.
Advantages Of A Tummy Tuck
This treatment can give you a flatter, firmer abdominal area. It can also narrow your waist and improve your body contours. In addition, the procedure can help to:
- Relieve abdominal discomfort caused by stretched skin and muscles
- Remove stretch marks below the navel
- Restore weakened or separated abdominal muscles
- Remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen
- Improve the appearance of a C-section scar
- Improve the appearance of loose, hanging skin in the lower abdomen
What Are The Downsides Of The Treatment?
The main disadvantage of this procedure is that it leaves a permanent scar. The scar will be located just above the pubic area and will extend from hip to hip. The scar can usually be hidden by clothing, but it will be visible when you are naked.
Another potential downside of this procedure is that it can sometimes result in problems with sensation in the skin around the incision site. This is generally not a major problem, but it is something to be aware of.
Finally, these procedures are major surgery and, like any other surgery, there are potential risks involved, such as infection, bleeding, and blood clots. These risks are relatively small, but they do exist.
Should You Get A Tummy Tuck Or Mini Tummy Tuck?
Your surgeon will be able to help you decide whether a mini tuck or a full tuck is right for you. In general, a mini tummy tuck is best for those who have a small amount of excess skin and fat and who are looking for a more modest improvement in their appearance. A full tuck is best for those who have a large amount of excess skin and fat and who are looking for a more dramatic improvement.
Where To Get This Procedure?
If you are considering a tuck, it is important to consult with board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure. They will be able to perform a physical examination and give you a better idea of what kind of results you can expect.
The best place to get a full tuck or a mini tuck is The Nikolov Center For Plastic Surgery. Dr. Nicholas Nikolov is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in these procedures. He has over 15 years of experience performing the procedure and has helped countless patients achieve a more toned and sculpted abdomen. He has been performing both full and mini tummy tucks for years, and he can help you decide which type of surgery is right for you based on your individual needs and goals.
Give us a call or contact us if you’re interested in getting either one of the two procedures.
