The vast majority of women require a full tummy tuck as more excess loose tissue with any stretchmarks can be removed. A mini tummy tuck is more appropriate when there is no loose skin above the belly button and you have just a small overhang of excess tissue in the lower part of your tummy just above the pelvis.
Miss Sujatha Tadiparthi will go through your concerns and expectations and assess your body to see which type of tummy tuck would give you the best results.
In a mini tummy tuck, only a small horizontal ellipse of skin just above the pubic area is removed. The belly button is kept in its position, there is no surgery to the upper part of the tummy and the abdominal muscles are generally not repaired.
In a full tummy tuck, the skin and fat in the whole of the lower part of the abdomen is removed. A cut is then made around the belly button and it is kept on a stalk. The skin from the upper part of the tummy is then raised and pulled down to cover the area below that has been removed. Any abdominal muscles that are weak and separated due to pregnancies or general ageing can be repaired and brought together – this reinforces the muscles and gives a flatter, more contoured tummy. When the main wound is closed, the belly button is repositioned in its natural position by making a hole in the upper tummy skin and bringing it through the hole and closed with stitches.
In a full tummy tuck, there is a scar around the belly button and a low horizontal scar running across the pelvis from hip to hip. The long horizontal scar will be hidden under your underwear.
In a mini tummy tuck, there is NO scar around the belly button but there is the low horizontal scar running across the pelvis from hip to hip. The horizontal scar may be shorter than in a full tummy tuck.
You can go home the same day after a mini abdominoplasty whereas after a full tummy tuck, you are likely to go home the next day.
A full tummy tuck takes 2.5 hours to 4 hours depending on the amount of tissue removed, the extent of muscle repair needed and whether liposuction is also performed.
Mini tummy tuck surgery is of a much shorter duration and usually takes 60 to 90 minutes.
The vast majority of women require a full tummy tuck as more excess loose tissue with any stretchmarks can be removed. If you have loose skin above the belly button, then a full abdominoplasty will make your abdomen look taut. If you have muscle separation and muscle weakness after pregnancy and child birth, then a full tummy tuck can help to repair the weak separated muscles and give you a flat, more contoured abdomen.
A mini tummy tuck is more appropriate when there is no loose skin above the belly button and you have just a small overhang of excess tissue in the lower part of your tummy just above the pelvis. If you have a flat tummy with good quality abdominal muscles, then you do not require muscle repair.
Miss Sujatha Tadiparthi will go through your concerns and expectations and assess your body to see which type of tummy tuck would give you the best results.
The recovery is usually faster after a mini tummy tuck as less tissue is removed, the muscles are usually not repaired and it is overall less invasive. The initial recovery is 10 to 14 days. You should be able to drive after 2 weeks if you are able to drive comfortably and do an emergency stop. You should be able to return to full and normal activity such as swimming, high intensity exercise and carrying heavy weights after 4 to 6 weeks if the wounds are all healed well.
After a full tummy tuck, the initial recovery is 2 to 3 weeks. You should be able to drive after 3 weeks if you are able to drive comfortably and do an emergency stop. You should be able to return to full and normal activity such as swimming, high intensity exercise and carrying heavy weights after 6 weeks.
Drains are plastic tubes that are connected to plastic bottles. They drain fluid from within the wound and help to reduce tissue fluid accumulating within the wound and forming a fluid collection called a ‘seroma’. Although the thought of drains is daunting, they are not that painful to have in or to have removed. Our patients are able to recover and mobilise well with the drains in the first few days after surgery. Make sure you have a long handled bag where you can put your 2 drain bottles and put over your shoulder – so that you are not holding your drain bottles. This frees up your hands and helps you mobilise more easily when the drains are in.
In a full abdominoplasty, usually 2 drains are put in – one on each side and come out through skin at the top of your thigh. Some surgeons prefer to bring the drains out through your pubic area but this can be quite painful. You will be sent home with the drains and they can stay in for 3 to 5 days. They are removed once the daily drainage amount is low. Miss Tadiparthi will confirm when it is time for the drains to be removed and they can be removed by the nurses in her clinic.
Drains may not be needed in a mini tummy tuck or if they are used, may only be kept in for 1 to 2 days. This is because less tissue is removed and the wound is smaller compared to a full tummy tuck.
An abdominal binder or garment helps give your tummy support and reduce the swelling after a tummy tuck. This will need to be worn for 6 weeks continuously although a few short breaks are allowed during washing or in periods of very hot weather.
Miss Tadiparthi prefers the MACOM™ side fastening girdle as the hooks are at one side of the tummy to take the pressure of the belly button and muscle repair. The seams are on the outside and it is adjustable with 2 levels of hooks for fastening. This she finds helps maximise her patient’s comfort after surgery.
Click here to view Miss Tadiparthi's recommended garment for abdominoplasty.
Both mini and full abdominoplasty are safe when performed by a fully qualified and experienced plastic surgeon at a safe, reputable hospital or clinic. It is important to check that your surgeon is on the GMC specialist register for plastic surgery so that have had suitable training and are members of a plastic surgery regulatory body such as BAPRAS or BAAPS.
Costs vary depending on where you have your surgery but the package prices for a full tummy tuck is around £8000.00 and above and a mini tummy tuck is £5600.00 and above. The prices should include the pre-op tests, surgery, anaesthetic, dressings and follow up in clinic after surgery.
To find more detailed information about abdominoplasty surgery, view our tummy tuck information leaflet here.
To find out more about tummy tuck surgery in Harley Street, tummy tuck surgery Surrey or tummy tuck surgery Kent, get in touch.
Tel / WhatsApp: 07767728108
Email: info@choiceaesthetics.uk
Tummy Tuck Harley Street - 152 Harley Street, London
Tummy Tuck London - Cadogan Clinic in Sloane Square, London
Tummy Tuck Surrey and Kent - Shirley Oaks Hospital, South Croydon and North Downs Hospital, Caterham
Online consultations also available
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