Aurora Clinics: Aurora Ambassador for Tummy Tuck Surgery
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Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty)

Considering Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Mini tummy tuck surgery or mini abdominioplasty, is ideally suited to people of relatively normal weight who have excess skin in the lower part of their abdomen. It can also be used to repair the muscles of your tummy if they have split apart significantly. The scars following your surgery will initially be pink but will, in most cases, fade to a silvery colour within a year. Our surgeons will aim to locate any scars within any underwear or swimwear that you usually wear.

You can assess whether you would be suitable for a mini tummy tuck by gently pinching your tummy skin whilst leaning forward.

  • If you can get the skin around your tummy button down to the area around your pubic skin, you would probably be better suited to a full tummy tuck.
  • If, however, the skin does not stretch this far, you may be suitable for a mini tummy tuck.

The scars from a mini tummy tuck are slightly smaller than for a full tummy tuck. In addition, you will not have a scar around the tummy button. In both cases, the muscles of the tummy (rectus-abdominis muscles) can be repaired and stitched together.

How will it impact your life?

If you have lost weight or have had children, you may find that the skin of the abdomen has stretched and the muscles have become loose or slightly separated, giving you an overhang of excess skin. This can be difficult finding clothes to fit properly and can make you feel self conscious when getting undressed or being naked. The aim of the mini tummy tuck is to remove all excess skin and tighten up the lower part of the tummy, giving you back your confidence.

Is Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery right for you?

A mini tummy tuck recovery is generally quicker than that of a full tummy tuck. The surgery takes around 1.5 hours and can be combined with liposuction to your upper tummy and flank areas as appropriate. During the procedure, about half of the skin between your tummy button and your pubic area is removed. The muscles can then be tightened up underneath this. Unlike a full tummy tuck, the tummy button is divided from the inside and brought downwards. No incision is made around the tummy button in a mini tummy tuck, unlike the full tummy tuck procedure. Your incision will be closed in three layers with absorbable sutures which will need to be trimmed 1 week after surgery.

After your surgery and beyond…

Recovery is slightly longer if you do have your muscles repaired. You will also feel slightly more tender following your operation. You will stay in hospital for 1-2 days following surgery and may have 1-2 small drainage tubes inserted under the skin to remove any excess fluid in your recovery period. On the day after surgery, you will be fitted with a compression garment which produces gentle pressure on your tummy area to reduce swelling and bruising. Your drainage tubes will normally be removed on the day following surgery and you will be encouraged to carefully start regaining mobility.

You may return home 1-2 days after surgery, depending on your recovery. During the first week, you should move gently around the house including short trips out. We would advise you to avoid any lifting or manual work. If you have young children it is best to organise extra help with them during this time.

At your follow up appointment (1 week after surgery) the wounds will be checked and the ends of the absorbable sutures trimmed. Brown micropore tape will be applied to the incisions to support them and help your scars heal. We will see you regularly after this and take photographs at your appointment 6 weeks following surgery.

The next step

We always encourage people to do as much research as they can when considering cosmetic surgery, so for more information on mini tummy tuck surgery:

Aurora is now part of The Private Clinic, a nationwide group of clinics with over 35 years of experience specialising in Cosmetic Surgery and Skin and a Trust Pilot 5 star rating. For comprehensive information, before and after photos and costs on Tummy Tuck procedures click here

Our expert Plastic Surgeon Adrian Richards is the Medical Director for The Private Clinic. Clinics are located in Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Glasgow, London Harley Street, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.