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There aren't enough abdominal workouts in the world to solve some of our stubborn stomach problems. If your situation isn't extreme enough to warrant a full Abdominoplasty, a mini tummy tuck may be the answer for you! This procedure is ideal for patients who don't have a lot of excess skin, want to remove fat from only the lower abdominal area, and need to address a lack of elasticity below the navel. Another name for this procedure is a partial abdominoplasty.

Many patients who choose to follow this route cannot resolve their issues with liposuction alone. Mini tummy tucks are also quite beneficial for abdominal issues following pregnancy. How will you know which procedure is right for you? A good surgeon will discuss all of your options with you, but there are some criteria that should give you a clue about what you need. If your fat lies mostly below your navel, mini is probably the way to go. However, if you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your hips, thighs, and backside, you may opt for full abdominoplasty and/or liposuction.

Some patients with moderate abdominal laxity have opted for Body by Thermage to address their concerns without undergoing surgery.

The mini tummy tuck will involve several different surgical elements depending on your individual needs and desires. Your surgeon may employ liposuction, skin excision sculpting below the navel, tightening of the lower or upper part of the abdominal rectus muscles, and/or a slight adjustment of the skin above the belly button when moving the belly button as needed.

Your doctor will make a small incision at the lowest point of the abdominal area to facilitate muscle repair and redraping of the excess skin. Liposuction may be used to remove excess fat and reshape the abdominal area. The bellybutton is usually detached and then placed lower than its previous location, allowing the skin above the navel to be tightened and improving the appearance of the entire area.

Mini tummy tuck patients typically recover faster than traditional tummy tuck patients, due to the isolated area of the surgery and the small singular incision. You may be under a local or general anesthetic for the duration of the procedure. It might be a good idea to plan for a few days of rest as well. However, it is still surgery and requires certain measures to be taken before and after surgery that your surgeon will discuss with you. Be sure to discuss the risks and your expectations during your consultation with the physician.