When Can I Get A Mini Tummy Tuck?

Because full tummy tuck surgery does result in a visible scar, many patients ask if they may be eligible for a mini tummy tuck instead. While a mini tummy tuck may be appropriate for some patients, the majority of patients can benefit most from a full tummy tuck. As board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rolando Morales, owner of Morales Plastic Surgeon in Houston, TX, says, “A mini tummy tuck gives you mini results.” In this blog, Dr. Morales discusses the difference between a full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck, including who may benefit from each type of tummy tuck.

What does a tummy tuck do?

Full tummy tuck surgery is typically performed to reverse some of the physical and cosmetic changes sustained as a result of pregnancy, aging, and weight loss. These may include:

• Diastasis recti (separation of abdominal wall muscles and fascia)
• Loose abdominal skin
• Stretched-out skin
• Lower belly pooch
• Abdominal stretch marks

During a full tummy tuck, an incision is made on the lower abdomen. This allows Dr. Morales to excise a great deal of loose, excess skin above, around, and even below the belly button while also repairing the abdominal fascia from the bottom of the chest wall all the way down to the mons. Stubborn fat can be removed during a tummy tuck with the addition of liposuction. Ultimately, full tummy tuck surgery offers patients the opportunity to achieve a slimmer, smoother, more desirable shape.

Is a mini tummy tuck right for me?

Patients hoping to avoid the scar or recovery time associated with full tummy tuck surgery often ask whether they can undergo a mini tummy tuck instead. In most cases, the answer is that a mini tummy tuck will not be adequate for addressing the average patient’s complaints, which often include loose skin above and around the belly button. Mini tummy tuck surgery is limited in the sense that it only addresses the small area between the belly button and the mons, where a C-section scar is typically located. Additionally, a mini tummy tuck surgery is only used to remove a small amount of skin in that location and does not address the abdominal fascia, stubborn fat, and other common concerns.

Still, Dr. Morales will take ample time to evaluate the area, listen to your concerns and goals, and determine whether a mini tummy tuck vs. a full tummy tuck may be the most appropriate and effective option for you.

How long is a tummy tuck scar?

A mini tummy tuck scar is usually about the size of a C-section scar, while a full tummy tuck scar extends further out to each side, sometimes running from hip to hip. The exact length of the tummy tuck incision made by Dr. Morales will depend on several factors, including how much excess skin needs to be removed. Dr. Morales understands the importance of minimizing visible scarring and places his incisions in areas where they can be concealed beneath clothing and swimsuits as fully as possible. Even with a longer scar, most patients agree that the transformations that are possible with a full tummy tuck make it preferable over a mini tummy tuck.

Reshape your look and your life with tummy tuck surgery in Houston TX

Has life taken a toll on your body, leaving you with extra skin and stubborn fat? If so, a tummy tuck may be right for you. To learn more about all of your options for tummy tuck surgery in Houston, TX, call Morales Plastic Surgery to schedule your private consultation with premier board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rolando Morales today.