Tummy tuck surgery is a hot topic in plastic surgery and one of the most popular cosmetic surgery operations performed around the globe today. There are different procedures which are used and if you are not familiar with them, it can be impossible to understand what you are hearing or reading about this area of plastic surgery.

This article explains the effects patients want from the mini tummy tuck, the general procedures surgeons use, and how this is different to the normal tummy tuck surgery. This will be a quick way to understand fundamental differences between these two popular types of plastic surgery.

The mini tummy tuck is usually recommended for those patients who want to remove excess tissue between their belly button and the pubic bone where the bikini line begins. Typical candidates are mothers after multiple pregnancies, who have found it difficult to get their abdominal muscles to respond to diet and exercise. It is also popular with patients who are older, where their muscles are simply less taught from the age process itself. Another group is those with mild weight fluctuations. Whatever the background, all the patients want the same toned, flatter shape and hope their plastic surgeons skills can take them there.

The surgery generally involves an incision of around 10 to 15 centimetres length being performed horizontally on the skin above the bikini line. Then the surgeon cuts away excess skin and any unwanted adipose (fatty) tissue, perhaps also employing liposuction during the operation. Liposuction means a cannula is manipulated within the adipose tissues to loosen them before they are entirely removed by suction through the body of the cannula for disposal. Patients with damage to their abdominal muscles can have them strengthened with suturing techniques during the same operation, for example, ladies with damage through multiple childbirths. Although it still uses incisions and tissue removal, the operation is different to a full tummy tuck in many respects.

The operation takes much less time on average then the full tummy tuck. It may last an hour or so, whereas the tummy tuck tends to push more over the two hours marker. The navel is generally not repositioned, whereas this is more often needed during the full tummy tuck and accounts for some of the reason why the time on the operating table is quite different. The incisions used also tend to be smaller than those for the full tummy tuck.

Whilst the name may make the operation sound a little less daunting, it is worth remembering that this is a full surgical intervention, with full anaesthetic, a range of residual risks no matter how skilled and dedicated the surgical team. Patients deserve high quality information during pre-surgery consultations to make an informed judgement around the risks of tummy tucks. By reading this brief guide, you have the information to distinguish between the two types of operation better and understand although the operation is not as lengthy, it can never be guaranteed risk free. To get detailed individual advice, of course patients are advised to consult their doctor and/ or their surgeon.

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