Excess skin is often a common side effect of dramatic weight loss or pregnancy. Skin is elastic and versatile, but skin that has been excessively stretched simply won’t retract irrespective of your fitness regime. Unfortunately, the only solution for stubborn excess skin is surgery.
Mini-abdominoplasty differs from a full abdominoplasty in that the scar is shorter, there is no second scar around the belly button, and recovery is quicker. However, the belly button is pulled downwards a little, it may not be possible to tighten your tummy muscles, and it does not address excess skin above the belly button at all.
An ellipse of skin and fat is cut from the lower tummy, leaving a horizontal scar similar to but longer than that from a Caesarean Section. Liposuction is performed on the upper part of the abdominal wall, the waist and the flanks. Muscles below the belly-button are also tightened if necessary. The belly-button itself is stretched slightly to become more elongated, and generally more attractive.
Mini-abdominoplasty is a good option for selected patients – usually slim patients with a mild lower abdominal bulge that has not responded to exercise. You should not to try to ‘get away with’ a mini-abdominoplasty if you would be better suited to a fully tummy tuck, as under those circumstances it is likely you would be unhappy with the results. You will be advised about your best option following a consultation.
General Anaesthetic
Reasonably mobile: 1 day
Corset: 2 weeks
Hospital stay: 0-1 nights
Washing: Keep dressings dry for one week
Full recovery: 2-4 weeks
Surgery time: 1.5 hours
Driving: 2 weeks
We advise patients to stop smoking 2 week before and after any surgery
Time off work: 2 weeks
Exercise: 4 weeks
Price: £5000 to £6000