Mini Tummy Tuck Procedure & Recovery
Have you ever looked at your tummy, and while your tummy muscles are in good shape, you can’t stand that there is some extra skin present in the lower tummy? I have seen this in many of my patients. They come to me asking for a solution to remove the skin from the lower tummy that prevents them from feeling great in a bikini or even wearing a bikini. A tummy tuck is too aggressive for these ladies and includes muscle repair known as rectus diastasis repair. This is not needed for these patients, and because of that, I have modified the tummy tuck procedure to leave the muscles alone and address the extra skin that distorts the lower tummy. This procedure allows me to restore balance and shape to the lower tummy in my patients, which boosts core confidence.
By focusing on reshaping the lower tummy by removing excess skin and fat in the lower tummy, I am able to enhance the pubic region and bikini line. This minimizes the downtime in moms who have a great shape to the upper tummy. Oftentimes, I can further enhance your waistline with liposuction to further sculpt the sides of the waist area, also known as the flanks love handles or muffin tops. The procedure takes between 1.5 to 2.0 hours and is performed as an outpatient procedure.
I always plan the incision so that it is located along the bikini line in the lower tummy and close it with dissolvable sutures. I use little white tapes called steri-strips as a dressing. A compressive binder will be placed around the abdomen, and I like for my patients to remain in a flexed or “beach chair” position for the first 7 to 10 days, even when upright, for optimal healing.
Recovery time ranges between 7 to 10 days on average. If a drain is used, it will be removed along with the steri-strips between days #5 to #7. Swelling and tightness of the lower tummy can be expected in the first few weeks. Patients remain in a flexed or “beach chair” position for the first 7 to 10 days, even when upright. At day #7 most patients begin to stand more upright as the swelling and tightness have decreased. I find that the Skin Pinch™ Procedure is perfect for addressing the extra skin that plagues many of the moms I meet each year. I think that this procedure is a powerful confidence builder. Email us today to set up a phone consultation with our Patient Consultant to see if this procedure is right for you.
Goal: Improve the appearance of the tummy by removing excess skin and fat from the lower tummy.
Procedure: Incisions are hidden along the bikini line, and the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures.
Anesthesia: General anesthesia.
Procedure Length: The procedure takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
After procedure: The incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures and covered with small white steri-strips. A compressive binder is placed on the abdomen. Patients remain in a flexed position for 7 to 10 days for optimal healing.
Recovery: During the first few days after this procedure, the patient may have a drain in the incision and the lower tummy will feel swollen and tight for the first few weeks. You may start to stand upright after 7 days.
Timeline After The Skin Pinch™ Procedure:
SUTURE REMOVAL: None as they are all dissolvable.
DRAIN REMOVAL: Day #6 – 14
RETURN TO WORK/SOCIAL LIFE: 2 weeks
80% HEALED: 6 weeks
100% HEALED: 6 months
