While everyone wants to achieve a flat, toned tummy, that goal isn’t realistic for many people. If genetics, weight fluctuations, and the strain of pregnancy have left you with loose skin and a prominently protruding “pooch” on your lower abdomen, you already know how frustrating these issues can be – and how challenging they are to resolve with diet and exercise alone.
A mini tummy tuck is a perfect choice for anybody dealing with unwanted fat and sagging skin. This procedure, also known as partial abdominoplasty, is similar to a conventional tummy tuck, but it focuses solely on the area below your belly button. A mini tummy tuck will help you bid farewell to that annoying roll of fat and make you feel more confident in wearing revealing or form-fitting clothes.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Through a partial abdominoplasty, Dr. Scott Farber will tighten the muscles in your lower belly while eliminating excess fat and sagging skin. In terms of the surgical technique, the significant distinction between a tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck is the area treated – a full abdominoplasty addresses the whole abdominal wall.
Unlike a full tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck is not major surgery, so you can expect a shorter recovery period with this less invasive option. If you choose this procedure, you will have fewer activity restrictions, and your recovery time will probably be more comfortable. While more complex cases will require a longer healing time, you can expect to recover from a full tummy tuck in about four weeks, compared to the one to two weeks necessary for a mini tummy tuck.
Why this marked difference if the surgical procedures are similar? Well, though the technique is comparable, mini tummy tuck incisions are smaller, the surgery is quicker, and in some cases, patients don’t even need general anesthesia. Partial abdominoplasty is a less invasive treatment requiring a correspondingly shorter recovery.
However, you still need to follow some post-op instructions after surgery, rest more frequently, and limit your activities for at least one full week. You must understand this to plan your recovery time and arrange for some help around the house until you feel well enough to do household chores.
What to Expect After a Mini Tummy Tuck
Dr. Farber asks his mini tummy tuck patients to take one to two weeks off work, a period that will vary depending on your job. During the first three weeks, we don’t recommend strenuous cardio or lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds, though you can speed your recovery by taking gentle walks. After three weeks, you can gradually start doing more challenging exercises. Most people can resume all regular daily activity six weeks after surgery.
During the first week of your recovery, please walk and sleep with a slight bend at your waist. After that, Dr. Farber will give you a compression garment to wear for three to six weeks to control swelling and avoid fluid accumulation. But don’t worry, it is easy to hide under clothes, and most people find it supportive and comfortable to wear.
Start Your Mini Tummy Tuck Journey in Boca Raton, FL
A partial abdominoplasty can be the help you need to get your desired beach body after pregnancy or losing weight. Find out if this treatment is right for you and learn more about other alternatives with our top-class plastic surgeon, Dr. Farber. Schedule your consultation today and discover how Dr. Farber can give you the contours of your dreams.