What’s the Difference Between a Mini Tummy Tuck and a Tummy Tuck?
Patients often experience confusion over the differences between a mini tummy tuck and a standard tummy tuck. The names can be a bit misleading when it comes to explaining the real differences.
About Tummy Tucks
Tummy tucks are ideal for the patient who is looking to remove loose or sagging skin from the abdominal area that may not be responding to diet and exercise. The surgery can help women who have recently experienced pregnancy or weight loss that may have caused a weakening in the abdominal tissues. It’s important to already be at your desired weight prior to the surgery as a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure.
The procedure itself will constitute of an incision from hip bone to hip bone, which allows Dr. Y. Anthony Nakamura to repair the abdominal muscles and extract any excess skin or fats from the body to create a flatter and more toned abdomen. The recovery for a standard tummy tuck is longer than its sister procedure (the mini tummy tuck).
- Anesthesia: General
- Length of surgery: Two to four hours
- Scaring: Yes, from hip bone to hip bone
- Recovery: Three to six months
- Cost: Varies by patient
Mini Tummy Tuck
The two major differences between a mini tummy tuck and a standard tummy tuck are the smaller incision and the fact that the belly button does not need re-positioning. Whether or not this procedure is best for is decided during your consultation with input from you and the doctor.
You may be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck if you experience loose skin under the naval and/or skin that has lost its elasticity and therefore cannot respond to exercise or diet. The excess skin will be tightened and toned during the procedure, so that it may, in the future, respond to exercise and diet in a way it never did before. A mini tummy tuck is less invasive than a standard tummy tuck, and, therefore, has a shorter recovery time.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthetic and mild sedation
- Length of surgery: One to two hours
- Scaring: Minimal above the pubic area
- Recovery: One month
- Cost: Varies by patient
Learn More About Abdominoplasty
If you have any more questions about tummy tucks and/or mini tummy tucks, please contact our office, which serves the areas of Arlington, Dallas Fort Worth, and the surrounding communities. Dr. Nakamura is one of the only board certified plastic surgeons in Dallas Fort Worth. Schedule your free consultation today!
Dr. Y. Anthony Nakamura is a recognized expert in plastic surgery and body contouring, providing excellent care while taking a personal approach with each and every patient.
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