The body is open to losing its shape and deforming due to reasons such as aging, pregnancy, weight gain and loss. Skin laxity and stubborn adipose tissues that do not go away despite exercise further deteriorate the body form.
Mini tummy tuck surgery, on the other hand, is an aesthetic operation that provides a flat and taut abdomen developed to restore the body form.
What is Mini Abdominoplasty?
Mini tummy tuck surgery is an aesthetic operation performed by removing excess fat tissues and skin from the abdomen, and the purpose of which is to create a flat and tight abdomen. As a result of mini tummy tuck surgery, a natural and aesthetic abdominal appearance is obtained.
Why is Mini Abdominoplasty Needed?
Mini tummy tuck surgery is especially needed by those who have abdominal sagging problems due to excessive weight gain or pregnancy, those who have problems with looseness in the abdomen, those who have stubborn fat tissues in the abdomen and those who experience sagging.
What is the preparation process for Mini Abdominoplasty?
If the patient is taking blood thinners during the preparation period for the mini tummy tuck surgery, in order to avoid the risk of bleeding after the operation, the patient should be left under the control of the doctor and herbal products should not be consumed.
Smoking and alcohol consumption should be stopped 15 days before the surgery. In order for the surgery to give a successful result, life habits such as healthy nutrition and exercise should be integrated into the patient’s life during the preparation period. Before the operation, care should be taken not to have a cold, flu or any disease.
It is forbidden to consume anything from 12:00 on the night before the mini tummy tuck surgery. If something is consumed, there is a risk of aspiration, suffocation, due to the general anesthesia given to the patient during the surgery.
How is Mini Abdominoplasty performed?
Mini tummy tuck surgery consists of four stages.
In the first step, the necessary tissue removal from the lower abdomen is planned to remain in the inguinal region, and the surgical planning is created. In this surgery, the planned amount of skin is removed from the lower abdomen according to the patient’s needs. In mini tummy tuck surgery, where no incision is made around the navel, the navel is connected to the lower abdominal muscles and the remaining abdominal skin.
In the second step, the abdominal surface is lifted from the abdominal wall and the abdominal muscles are exposed. The skin of the abdomen is lifted just below the navel in the midline, slightly higher than the two sides of the navel, in order to ensure that the belly button adheres to the abdominal wall.
In the third step, the abdominal muscles are tightened with a special sewing thread and repaired. Then the muscles are brought together in the midline.
In the fourth and last step, the appropriate amount of abdominal skin is removed and a surgical scar is formed that will remain in the underwear. Mini tummy tuck surgery is completed in this way. Mini tummy tuck surgery is an operation that takes 1.5-2 hours on average, performed under general anesthesia.
Before the mini tummy tuck surgery, the whole body is shaped by performing liposuction. The aim of mini tummy tuck surgery is to obtain a taut and flat stomach.
What is the recovery process like after Mini Abdominoplasty?
It is normal for patients to feel tension in the abdomen during the recovery period after mini tummy tuck surgery. In order for the feeling of tension to disappear or decrease, the patient should take care to lie down with the legs slightly pulled to the abdomen instead of lying flat as a lying position.
During the recovery period, the patient should not force himself. Therefore, heavy exercises, heavy lifting and sudden movements should be avoided. In addition, these movements carry the risk of damaging the inner abdominal wall. Patients usually wear a corset after mini tummy tuck surgery.
It is okay for patients who wear corsets to take a shower the day after they come home. Care should be taken not to use only pressurized and hard water. How long the recovery process will take after mini tummy tuck surgery depends on the patient.
Patients should heed all the doctor’s warnings, use the medications prescribed by the doctor regularly, and pay attention to the surgical site care. Correct and regular care protects the patient from possible side effects and complications during the postoperative recovery period.
Who is a suitable candidate for Mini Abdominoplasty?
Mini tummy tuck surgery is performed for people who have regional excesses that do not decrease with a healthy diet and exercise, people who do not have any systemic diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart, kidney, and people who are not overweight but want to improve their body shape due to skin laxity and excess fat in the lower abdomen. There is no requirement to be male or female for this surgery.
Before mini tummy tuck surgery, the patient is asked to approach their ideal weight as much as possible.
Who cannot have Mini Abdominoplasty?
Mini tummy tuck surgery cannot be performed especially on people with systemic diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart, kidney, pregnant women or women considering pregnancy, mothers during breastfeeding, uncontrolled and uncontrolled diabetes patients, patients with bleeding disorders, cigarette and alcohol addicts.
Which surgeries can be combined with Mini Abdominoplasty?
Before mini tummy tuck surgery, liposuction methods are applied. Apart from liposuction methods, stretching operations such as arm stretching, leg stretching or breast aesthetics can be performed in combination with mini tummy tuck surgery. At this point, surgery planning and doctor’s permission are important.
If the doctor thinks that the patient will not be able to carry out these operations in combination, he may not allow the combined operations to be performed, he may only perform a mini tummy tuck and end the operation.
Frequently asked questions about Mini Abdominoplasty
What is the age limit for Mini Abdominoplasty?
Mini tummy tuck surgery can be performed on anyone over the age of 18. The age limit for this surgery is at least 18 years, and as with any surgery, the approval of the doctor is important. There is no upper age limit. Mini tummy tuck surgery is usually performed between the ages of 30-50.
When will you return to social life after Mini Abdominoplasty?
If the patient has not developed any complications after the mini tummy tuck surgery, it is possible to be discharged from the hospital on the day of the surgery. In the sixth hour after the mini tummy tuck surgery, light walks can be started and very short distances such as the toilet can be taken.
On the third day after the mini tummy tuck surgery, short-distance walks can be done, and at the end of the first week after the surgery, it is possible to return to social life completely.
What are the complications risks of Mini Abdominoplasty?
Possible complication risks of mini tummy tuck surgery are bleeding, infection, fluid collection and blood accumulation at the surgery site.
In order to avoid the risk of infection, patients should perform proper and clean care of the operation area, and regularly use the drugs prescribed by the doctor. In order to avoid the risk of bleeding, the patient should not exert himself too much, avoid sudden movements, and limit smoking and consumption of herbal products.
If the patient feels redness and warmth in the operation area, or if the patient himself has fever or chest tightness, he should apply to the nearest health institution. Apart from this, fluid collection or blood accumulation in the operation area is very rare, but it is one of the complications that can be experienced. In order to avoid these complications, a drain is placed in the abdominal region after surgery, but in some patients, the drain may not be sufficient. In this case, a second surgery may be planned.
