After pregnancy and other weight gain women often work hard to lose weight quickly.  What they forget is lost weight does not always equal lost skin so after losing a great deal of weight many women find that they have a lot of lose skin around their stomachs.  Tummy tucks are a great way to get rid of this problem but they can be expensive, invasive, and leave a large scar.  By taking advantage of a mini tummy tuck women can benefit from a tummy tuck without dealing with many of its disadvantages.

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

A mini tummy tuck is a tummy tuck that is performed on a small scale.  The procedure involves a patient receiving either a general or a local anesthesia.  During the one hour surgery the plastic surgeon will make a small incision above the pubic area and then stitches the muscles of the lower abdomen together.  The stitches remain in for approximately seven days and are then removed by the surgeon.  The scar left is often determined by skill the surgeon uses when replacing and removing the stitches.

Recovery after a Mini Tummy Tuck

The recovery period after a mini tummy tuck is usually much shorter than a standard tummy tuck.  An individual receiving a mini tummy tuck or abdominoplasty should expect to stay off of their feet for at least seven days.  When the stitches are removed the surgeon will usually tell you which activities can be resumed and which should be avoid. Some patients are not able to return to their normal routine until six weeks after surgery.  During the period immediately after the surgery patients will need someone to take care of them for 24 to 48 hours while the anesthesia wears off.

Costs of a Mini Tummy Tuck

The cost of an abdominoplasty varies from location to location and often depends on the plastic surgeon performing the procedure.  A partial tummy tuck could easily cost between $2,000 and $5,000 especially if there are complications that require a hospital stay.  Most surgeons will finance this procedure or at least let you set up payment plans with them.  These terms are decided by the plastic surgeon performing the procedure.

Risks When Getting a Partial Tummy Tuck

Mini tummy tucks are much less risky than full tummy tucks but they can still be dangerous.  There is a chance that there will be excessive scarring which will not fade if the plastic surgeon is not careful during the surgery.  Allergic reactions might be caused by the anesthetics used during the surgery.  Pain and bleeding might also occur or infection.  After the surgery, follow the surgeon’s advice closely and report any bleeding or severe pain immediately since this could be a sign of serious problems.