What Do Mini Tummy Tuck Scars Look Like? A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Answers Your Mini Tummy Tuck Questions.
Would you love to wear a bikini again, but have a little abdominal pooch holding you back? You are not alone: many of us have a small amount of extra fat or loose skin that sticks around despite an overall slim figure, whether because of pregnancy, weight loss, or our genetic makeup.
If you have a small bulge below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck may restore a proportional, smooth abdomen. Wondering if this is the right procedure for you? Below, Fort Worth Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby answers your mini tummy tuck questions.
What is the main difference between mini tummy tuck and regular tummy tuck?
The primary difference is that a full tummy tuck tightens and restores muscle functionality along the entire length of the abdomen, while a mini tummy tuck focuses solely on the lower belly. A traditional tummy tuck dramatically reshapes and tightens your waistline and creates a more hourglass figure, while a mini tummy tuck treats a more limited area. If you only have a small area of concern below the navel, a mini tummy tuck offers an improvement with a shorter recovery time than a full tummy tuck.
While you may wonder if a mini tummy tuck can save you from a longer tummy tuck scar, there are major differences in what the procedures can accomplish. Talk with a board certified plastic surgeon about your goals, and they will help you learn what results you can expect from each procedure.
Can a mini tummy tuck fix diastasis recti?
A mini tummy tuck cannot address any muscle separation (diastasis recti) above the belly button and only addresses mild muscle separation below the belly button. Most patients with true diastasis recti are best served with a traditional tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty.
Talk with a board certified plastic surgeon about your goals, and they will help you learn what results you can expect from each procedure.
Is a mini tummy tuck more affordable than a regular tummy tuck? How much does a mini tummy tuck cost?
A mini tummy tuck is typically less costly than a regular tummy tuck because the procedure is less extensive. The cost ranges from $5,000 to $8,000, while a full tummy tuck ranges from $8,000 to $20,000. These price ranges are broad because patient anatomy and concerns vary widely: some patients need only skin tightening, while others may also need to have liposuction and/or correction of abdominal muscle separation to achieve their goals.
While we know cost is an important consideration, you should not choose your procedure based on price, but rather based on what is best suited to treating your concerns. Consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon is critical; they will be able to provide you with a customized procedure plan and a precise cost estimate. Our practice offers financing and payment options that may help with spreading costs out.
Can I get a tummy tuck even if I haven’t been pregnant? Is a mini tummy tuck a good way to treat sagging abdominal skin after weight loss?
Yes, anyone can get a tummy tuck—even men! Patients often seek tummy tucks after losing weight or to correct diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation). Modest weight loss may leave men or women with loose abdominal skin below the belly button, and a mini tummy tuck may be the correct procedure to address those concerns. After significant weight loss, however, a full or extended tummy tuck is more likely to be necessary.
What do mini tummy tuck scars look like?
The mini tummy tuck incision and scar is located horizontally across the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area and well below the belt line. It is usually around 6 inches in length, though the length will vary depending how much excess skin is removed.
Scars will appear pink after your procedure, which is a normal part of the healing process. When patients follow our post-operative scar protocols, the scars are expected to fade to the point where they become flesh-colored by 1 year after surgery.
For optimal scar healing and results, be sure to choose a skilled board certified plastic surgeon who has performed hundreds of tummy tucks and carefully follow every detail of their pre- and post-operative instructions.
Can mini tummy tuck scars be hidden?
Yes, mini tummy tuck scars are placed as low as possible so that they will be hidden by most swimsuits and clothing.
How do I know if I need liposuction or a mini tummy tuck?
Whether you need liposuction or a mini tummy tuck depends on whether or not you have stretched skin in the lower belly area. The only way to significantly tighten permanently loosened skin (look for stretch marks) is with a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck procedure. Liposuction also can reshape the area, but the procedure only removes fat, and can worsen the appearance of any stretched skin that is present.
However, the question of liposuction or mini tummy tuck is not always either/or: many patients benefit from both liposuction and a mini tummy tuck. A combined procedure allows your surgeon to use liposuction to sculpt an improved shape throughout the area and achieve more comprehensive results.
Schedule your tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Kirby in Fort Worth
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily J. Kirby is ready to help you determine which body contouring procedures are best suited to your needs. To learn more and schedule a personal consultation, call us at 817-292-4200 or reach out online.
