Am I a suitable candidate for a Mini Tummy Tuck?

The mini tummy tuck (or partial abdominoplasty) is for men and women who have a small amount of abdominal skin to be removed and do not have a significantly protruding abdominal muscle wall. If your tummy is beginning to sag due to ageing or you have a slim abdomen that you wish to sculpt into a more desirable shape, then you may find that a mini tummy tuck is ideal for you.

What else should I know?

A mini-tummy tuck may be a good option for you if you have:

1. Realistic expectations - An optimal candidate will understand not only what a mini tummy tuck can accomplish, but also the limitations of the procedure.
2. Good overall health - An optimal candidate will be generally healthy and will inform his or her surgeon of any pre-existing medical conditions well in advance. A mini tummy tuck is an invasive surgical procedure that requires significant healing and recovery, so it is essential that the patient be physically prepared for surgery.
3. Consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon can help a patient attain the information needed to make the right decision about mini tummy tuck surgery.

What is my first step?

Your initial consultation should clearly set out your expectations and whether the operation can give you the results you desire.

Your reasons for wanting a mini tummy tuck, and your suitability for this type of procedure will be carefully discussed. Also, your medical history will be taken to ensure that there are no reasons why you shouldn't have this operation.

Fortunately, significant complications from mini tummy tuck are extremely rare. Every year, this surgery has produced satisfying results for an increasing amount of men and women.

Patients should be aware that risks may more often occur among persons who smoke, are overweight, have diabetes or other health problems, or have scarring from previous abdominal surgery.

The complications associated with the procedure include:

1. Bleeding and haematoma - Blood may accumulate under the skin and the tubes may not drain all the blood. Sometimes, a blood clot (haematoma) is formed. If this occurs the patient has to undergo another operation in order to have the haematoma drained and the bleeding stopped.
2. Wound infection - This type of complication may occur after any surgery, although it is quite infrequent. Prior to the operation, the patient can be given antibiotics.
3. Skin or fat necrosis (death) - Tissue loss along portions of the horizontal incision is a rare complication. This risk, which delays healing, is more common in patients who smoke.
4. Serum collection - Removal of this serum is a painless process but may require several visits to the plastic surgeon's office.
5. Pulmonary embolism - This means that a blood clot travels to the lungs. Various prophylactic techniques are used to prevent this uncommon risk and cessation of hormone treatment may be necessary. Additionally, the surgeon recommends early mobility and anti-coagulant medication.

Tummy Tuck Surgery

The best candidates for Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck procedure) are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.

Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the surgery. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy. If you have scarring from previous abdominal surgery, your doctor may recommend against abdominoplasty or may caution you that scars could be unusually prominent.

Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr Mounir.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty And Risk

Thousands of abdominoplasties are performed successfully each year. When done by a qualified plastic surgeon who is trained in body contouring, the results are generally quite positive. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.

Post-operative complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics, but will prolong your hospital stay. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible.

Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation. Smokers should be advised to stop, as smoking may increase the risk of complications and delay healing.

You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.

The Surgery

Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to five hours, depending on the extent of work required. Partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.

Most commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, ,just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.

Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.

The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.

In partial abdominoplasty, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.

After Your Surgery

For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you're likely to feel some pain and discomfort which can be controlled by medication. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be released within a few hours or you may have to remain hospitalized for two to three days.

Your doctor will give you instructions for showering and changing your dressings. And though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible.

Surface stitches will be removed in five to seven days, and deeper sutures, with ends that protrude through the skin, will come out in two to three weeks. The dressing on your incision may be replaced by a support garment

For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you're likely to feel some pain and discomfort which can be controlled by medication. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be released within a few hours or you may have to remain hospitalized for two to three days.

Your doctor will give you instructions for showering and changing your dressings. And though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible.

Surface stitches will be removed in five to seven days, and deeper sutures, with ends that protrude through the skin, will come out in two to three weeks. The dressing on your incision may be replaced by a support garment.