What is the Mini Abdominoplasty and for whom it is performed?
The Mini Abdominoplasty is one of the abdominal aesthetic surgeries. It is applied to the patients who have adipose in the lower abdomen and a small amount of excess skin, who will not only benefit from the liposuction, but for whom full tummy tuck is unnecessary.
Is it necessary to lose weight before the mini tummy tuck surgery?
Since the Mini Abdominoplasty is performed in a selected patient group, this patient group does not need to lose extra weight. However, the patients who were previously suitable for the full tummy tuck surgery can become eligible for the mini tummy tuck if they lose weight and get tighter with the sports.
How is the Mini Abdominoplasty performed?
Before the mini tummy tuck surgery, the liposuction is performed on the entire abdomen and waist area in the patients who are needed. A shorter horizontal incision is made from the lower part of the abdomen, remaining inside the underwear, compared to the abdominoplasty operation, and the skin and subcutaneous tissues up to the navel are removed. If the muscles under the belly button are loose, the firming stitches can be removed. These tissues under the belly button are stretched and the excess is cut off.
What is the different of the Mini Abdominoplasty than the Full Abdominoplasty?
First of all, the patient population it addresses is different. Its incision is shorter. The belly button is not displaced by this surgery. The recovery is much faster. The pain is less.
What should be done and what should not be done before the operation?
As it is in all surgeries, the smoking should be stopped 3 weeks in advance. The smoking is one of the most important factors that increase the wound healing problems. Aspirin and blood thinners should be stopped at least 1 week before. The constipation should be avoided by feeding with the soft foods, by starting 3 days before the planned date of the surgery. Those being inconvenient to use before surgery:
-The painkillers such as Apranax, Voltaren, Vermidon (Minoset, Novalgin can be used when pain relief is required),
-The multivitamin pills containing substances such as ginseng, gingko biloba, co-enzyme Q,
-Green tea, flaxseed, cherry stalk, tomato seed herbal products
-All weight loss products
How long does the Mini Abdominoplasty take and does it require anesthesia?
The procedure is performed in the operating room and under the general anesthesia. It takes 1-1.5 hours, depending on the size of the abdomen.
Is pain felt after the mini tummy tuck surgery?
Since long-acting local anesthetics are applied to all incision areas and abdominal muscles, the first day is not very painful. In the following days, the feeling of tension in the abdomen is more disturbing than the pain.
What happens after the surgery?
During the surgery, the drains are placed in the surgical area of the patient. When the surgery is over, a corset is attached to the abdomen that the patient will use for 2 weeks. The patient can eat and drink in the 3rd hour after the surgery. When she feels well, she is asked to walk the same night. There is no need to walk as obliquely as in the full tummy tuck, but it is not desirable to reach a full upright position for a shorter time. The patient is discharged the day after the surgery. After 2 days, the dressing is opened and she is asked to take a bath and then come to the control. There is no need for the suture removal as the absorbable sutures are placed. After 3 weeks, she can start exercises except for the abdominal movements. No restrictions apply after the 6th week.
What are the Complications of the Surgery?
No serious complications are expected after the Mini Abdominoplasty. The wound healing problems and bad shar are observed more frequently in the smoking patients. In case of the bad clumsiness, the scar revision procedure can be applied after 1 year.
Are the results permanent?
The results of the surgery are permanent and if the diet is not taken care of after the surgery and excessive weight is gained and pregnancy occurs again, the results can deteriorate.
Does the Mini Abdominoplasty constitute an impediment for the pregnancy?
The Mini Abdominoplasty surgery does not constitute an impediment for getting pregnant again. However, since the pregnancy will cause deterioration in the results of the surgery, if there is a planned pregnancy, it is recommended to leave the surgery until after the pregnancy.