What’s the difference between a mini and full tummy tuck?
If you are troubled with the look and feel of your midriff and have struggled to achieve the look you’re hoping for, then you could be considering a surgical helping hand. A tummy tuck is designed to help smooth, tone and tighten the look of the skin and muscles around the abdomen, and there are two main types: a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck. Here we explore the differences between the two to help you make an informed choice of which feels like the best solution for you.
Tummy tuck options: mini tummy tuck
This is the ideal procedure for someone who isn’t carrying much additional fat, but who is struggling with a small amount of excess skin in the area south of the belly button. It is possible to tighten the muscles beneath the belly button too. The key thing to note about the mini tummy tuck is that all the work takes place beneath the belly button and there is no ‘circular’ incision around the belly button itself. With this approach, your belly button is not affected by the surgery and will remain in its original position.
As the mini tummy tuck is a smaller, less invasive procedure there is usually less scarring afterwards, so it is a more discrete option.
Tummy tuck options: full tummy tuck
As the name suggests, this is a more substantive operation. A full tummy tuck tackles loose skin and sagging muscles both above and below the belly button. A full tummy tuck removes lax skin and excess tissue from the upper and lower abdomen, plus allows for the repair of the underlying abdominal muscles if separation has occurred (this would be common after pregnancy).
The risk of opting for a mini tummy tuck can be that once the skin and muscles beneath the belly button have been tightened, this can exacerbate any loose skin and struggling muscles above the belly button. For cases where this is the expected outcome, it is often advised to try liposuction first, to see whether or not that is sufficient to address the problem.
If you are unsure which option would be best suited to you then it is best to arrange to speak to Mr Alan Park who will be able to assess your situation and guide appropriately. Both procedures can be carried out in isolation or can be combined with liposuction which will help supplement the overall result once the effects of the operation have settled down. They are usually done under general anaesthetic and often patients return home the same day as the operation.
To book your tummy tuck consultation, call 01926 436341.
