Treatments / Mini-tummy tuck (abdominal mini-correction)
Mini-tummy tuck - Abdominal mini-correction - Mini-abdominplasty
With age, after pregnancy or following a significant weight loss, skin can lose its elasticity. This leads to loose excess skin on the lower stomach (an overhang of skin) or folds of the skin on the upper stomach. Sport can strengthen the abdomen but can never make up for this surplus of distended skin.
A mini tummy tuck is favourable in cases where there is a small excess of skin. There will be only a short scar above the pubic area because the navel does not have to be repositioned.
What happens?
A mini-tummy tuck has 3 distinct characteristics:
1. The plastic surgeon removes the excess skin from the bottom of the stomach by cutting it. This represents about 7 cm in height. Next, the remaining skin from the lower stomach is tightened again and sewn. Unlike a full tummy tuck the navel is not detached or re-positioned.
2. There is no muscle correction; technically this is not possible in a mini-tummy tuck. Therefore a mini-tummy tuck is much lighter than a full tummy tuck.
3. The plastic surgeon often carries out liposculpture on the upper and lower stomach. Result? Resulting in a brand new figure!
Scar
The incision is made in least visible place, this is to say a precise position in the natural fold just above the groin. Therefore the scar can be found at panty level, thus hidden. This scar is less than half long as the one for the full tummy tuck. Because the navel does not have to be re-positioned, there is no scar around the belly button. All stitches are deep and not visible and the skin is glued with strips to obtain a neat scar.
The first few months the scar may be red and hard but this will progressively disappear and the hardness will soften within the year that follows your surgery. Your plastic surgeon will give you advice in order to accelerate the process. It is recommended that you care for your scar in the first weeks by using an oily cream (hand cream, day cream, bio oil, almond oil, a balm for scars).
Anaesthetic
Thanks to a refinement in operation techniques and a constant progress in the anesthetic field these last few years, the correction of the stomach is carried out under a mild local anesthetic. After the operation, you will feel fit and well. It is not necessary to envisage a night’s stay at the clinic.
Care and safety
The plastic surgeon proceeds with these operations in conditions of optimal security, surrounded by a professional team.
Even though the mini-tummy tuck is generally done under local anaesthetic, you are constantly monitored by the anaesthetist (automatic and repetitive measures of the blood pressure, constant measuring of the oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram). One or two highly qualified nurses will equally supervise. This environment will guarantee that you have faultless safety.
The local anaesthetic allows not only an operation without pain but also a minimal risk of blood loss and bruising.
Your operation is carried out exclusively in a sterile environment. During the operation you will receive a mild antibiotic.
If you are taking anti-coagulant drugs please inform your plastic surgeon of this first (for ex. acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin, asaflow, cardioaspirine, dipiridamole, plavix, sintrom, marevan and others).
After the operation you are able to contact your plastic surgeon at all times on his personal mobile number, if you have the slightest question.
Recovery
After a mini-tummy tuck a night’s stay at the clinic is not necessary, in contrast with the full tummy tuck with muscle correction.
All sutures dissolve by themselves. Thus no stitches to be removed. You will not be able to shower for the first two weeks following your surgery.
You will be able to change your bandage after one week by yourself. Your plastic surgeon will show you how to do this.
Two months following the operation the surgeon will assess the results, based on the photos taken pre-operatively. He will recommend to you exercises that will allow you to keep your great abdominal result for the long term.
Eventual risks and complications
This is a very safe operation. This intervention is also much lighter than a full tummy tuck.
Infections are rare.
Related subjects
Contact
Surgery and consultations (after appointment)
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A.Z. Jan Portaels Gendarmeriestraat 65 B-1800 Vilvoorde Belgium T: +32 (0)2 257 59 74 |  |
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VITAZ campus Lokeren Lepelstraat 2 9160 Lokeren Belgium T: +32 (0)9 432 17 88 |  |
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