Occasionally it can be an option in patients who have lost weight although the pros and cons of this procedure need to be carefully discussed with your surgeon.
Who is it suitable for?
For those of normal stable body weight who have developed excess skin and / or fat. The common causes are pregnancy, weight loss, aging, genetic or due to prior surgery.
Who is it Not Suitable For?
It’s important to note that those who plan on having more children in the future should consider the pros and cons of an operation. It may also be unsuitable for those who have been persuaded by others to improve their body. Anyone who smokes, has unrealistic expectations and those with a significant medical history.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of a mini tummy tuck will be disclosed on a case by case basis, as it depends on what exactly is required. After the initial consultation if the surgeon believes you are suitable for a mini tummy tuck, you will be given a quote for surgery that will include the surgeon, anaesthetic and hospital fees.
The success of the consultation depends on your openness and honesty in relation to what troubles you and your expectations of surgery. You will be asked questions about your health, desires and lifestyle. Different operations can be tailored to your needs and the potential outcomes and the risks and complications will be discussed with you. The operation removes excess tissue from the lower abdominal area and needs to be tailored to the individual. Various types of mini tummy tuck procedures are available and may be combined with liposuction. It may involve lifting the whole abdominal skin and tightening of the abdominal muscles. A consultation regarding the risks and limitations of surgery will help you to choose a procedure that will meet your expectations.
In preparation for your surgery we invite you to have an initial consultation with Paul to ensure you are an appropriate candidate for this procedure. Your initial consultation may be via Zoom, especially if you live far away, or you may book straight in for a face to face consultation lasting 45 minutes.
In preparation for your consultation, we will ask you about your reasons for seeking aesthetic surgery, what it means to you and how it will impact upon your life. We will also ask you about your past medical history and social history.
You will be examined, in the presence of a chaperone, and pre-operative photographs will be taken with your consent. For certain procedures, 3D pictures are also taken.
We will ensure that you are fully informed about your procedure in ample time, with a cooling off period for you to digest the information given to you, and time to ask as many questions as you like.
It is not unusual for a patient to have two or three consultations prior to their planned procedure.
Further information relating to your procedure is found on this web page.
The hospital where you will have your procedure will also undertake a pre-operative assessment.
Currently, this will also include a COVID test within 5 days of your procedure.
It is important to stop any medications which thin the blood prior to your procedure. You will be guided on this. You must also stop any herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements 2 weeks prior to your operation to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Most procedures are performed under a general anaesthetic, or sedation. You must not eat or drink for 6 hours prior to your procedure. Sips of water may be taken up to 2 hours before.
You will be brought in to hospital 1-2 hours prior to your operation, at which point you will be seen by the nursing staff, anaesthetist and surgeon.
It is common practice to complete the informed consent process prior to your hospital visit, and ensure you have been informed about all of the material facts relevant to your surgery. You will be fully informed of the risks and complications of the surgery, and the financial implications of any revision surgery required.
Surgery may be as a day case or you may be required to stay overnight in hospital.
A mini tummy tuck often takes between 1 and 1.5 hours. Usually, an incision is made just above the pubic region. The longer the scar the more tissue can be removed and you will need to discuss the length, position and expected quality of your scar at a consultation. The skin is separated from the underlying tissue from the pubic region upwards. The extent of dissection will vary from patient to patient. It is sometimes possible to tighten the abdominal wall and again the pros and cons need to be discussed at a consultation. Classically, the skin is then stretched down and the excess removed. In a mini tummy tuck, one would not relocate the tummy button. The incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches and the skin is repositioned. It is unusual to require drains and a compressive dressing is almost always required.
You will usually return to the ward within an hour following surgery and you will be encouraged to mobilize. You will not have a catheter in place and it is unusual to require drains. You will be able to eat/drink and mobilize as soon as the anaesthetic wears off. You will feel swollen and have abdominal discomfort that will usually require analgesia. You will be able to go home the next day and can shower daily with waterproof dressings. You should arrange for someone to pick you up following surgery and have some support at home on discharge. You will be reviewed in clinic and the wounds checked at a week. You should avoid excessive straining in the first week and should continue to wear a support garment for 4-6 weeks after surgery. You will be able to resume light exercises after a week and normal exercise by 3-4 weeks. You should begin massage to the scar once healed.
The vast majority of patients are delighted with the procedure although common complaints include numbness, bruising, swelling especially around the scar line and often there is a slight difference between the two sides of the abdomen. Uncommon complications include infection, haematoma, delayed healing/skin necrosis/skin loss, seroma formation and thickened scar. There are uncommon risks of general anaesthesia such as respiratory/cardiac compromise and deep vein thrombosis.
Sensation usually changes following a mini tummy tuck. Although permanent numbness is uncommon, the sensation can take a number of months to return. The scars following a mini tummy tuck can be red for a number of weeks/months after surgery and it can take some time before the scars start turning purple/pink and then start fading into a white line. It is unusual to develop abnormal scars and unusual to have irregularities requiring a scar revision. Any revisions to the scars should not be considered for at least a year following surgery. The scar is often not symmetrical and the scar can move slightly with time. The abdomen can become lax with time and the result can fluctuate with fluctuations in weight.
