Mini Tummy Tuck Houston, TX

A mini tummy tuck procedure is a less invasive version of a full tummy tuck. This procedure requires a small incision and removes excess fat if any exists, then tightens the skin as the incision is closed for a more taut abdomen appearance. Candidates for this surgery may have lost a significant amount of weight, and their skin has lost its elasticity, which allows it to hang loose. A mini tummy tuck will reposition this extra skin for a more toned midsection.

Before the procedure is scheduled, Dr. Lapuerta will work with you to determine your goals for the surgery and to prepare you for what to expect. Recovery time will take a few weeks before you are able to resume normal activities, especially exercise. However, you should be up and moving around within a day to reduce swelling and soreness and to promote faster healing.

Mini Tummy Tuck Procedure

The technique used for a mini tummy tuck in Houston is similar to that of a full abdominoplasty. However, with a mini version, the incision is smaller and the area addressed will only be the area under the belly button. Liposuction is usually used during this procedure to remove excess fat and contour the waistline. The excess skin that remains will be pulled tight so that the tummy has a new toned, flat appearance. Unlike a full tummy tuck, the belly button is unaffected. Scarring, while it does exist, is minimal and is easily concealed under a bathing suit or undergarments.

A mini tummy tuck is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility and typically takes around 2 hours to complete. Dr. Lapuerta’s office features its own on-site accredited operating room and surgical facility, giving his patients access to the highest quality accommodations.

No longer forced to “suck it in,” patients love their results and feel that their abdomen looks and feels more toned and fit. The results following a mini tummy tuck can be visible for years unless a pregnancy or significant weight gain occurs, both of which could compromise the results of the surgery.

The differences between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck are important to understand. Both a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck will reduce excess skin, fat, and tissue in the lower abdomen. Both will produce a flatter, more toned stomach, as well as a more feminine waistline. The important thing to understand when considering a mini tummy tuck vs. a full tummy tuck is not necessarily the final outcome that is desired, but rather the amount of excess skin, fat, and tissue present that will need to be removed to achieve the desired final outcome.

With a Mini Tummy Tuck vs a Full Tummy Tuck:

• Only a small amount of skin, fat, and tissue is removed
• The belly button remains in its original position and is not moved
• Only the abdominal wall muscles located below the belly button will be pulled together with sutures
• The incision is shorter 
• The area above the belly button will not show any improvement or change

Difference Between a Mini Tummy Tuck and Traditional Tummy Tuck

While the mini tummy tuck is a limited version of the full tummy tuck, it is performed in the same area of the abdomen. However, the two procedures do have some notable differences.

– The incision for the traditional tummy tuck usually extends from hip bone to hip bone, while the mini tummy tuck incision is much smaller. The mini tuck procedure targets below the belly button, while the full tuck can address the entire abdominal area.

– Liposuction is generally part of the traditional tummy tuck to remove any excess fat that wouldn’t go away with diet and exercise. While a mini tummy tuck can include liposuction, it isn’t always necessary and much less fat is usually removed.

– Another difference between the two procedures is the condition of the muscles. A person whose abdominal muscles have been stretched will likely need a full tummy tuck to tighten them again. If the muscles are still generally firm and tight, a mini tummy tuck may be the best option.

– Patients who need a full tummy tuck will require the belly button to be repositioned. A mini tummy tuck procedure rarely requires any repositioning of the belly button.

A mini tummy tuck is perfect for both men and women who are in good shape but still battle an unwanted pooch in their midsection. Any loose or excess skin and fat should primarily be concentrated between the belly button and pubic bone for the best results. A mini tummy tuck candidate should also have relatively good skin tone to help aid a healthy healing process, and should not be planning a future pregnancy or drastic weight loss.

Patients with moderate to larger amounts of excess skin, fat, and tissue will better be served by a full tummy tuck and are not considered a suitable mini tummy tuck candidate. Similarly, patients with excess tissue or stretch marks above the belly button and patients who experience stomach distention or “pooching” after eating are also better suited for a full tummy tuck.

A potential mini tummy tuck candidate should also be in good overall health and have a good understanding of what to expect both during and after the procedure. Dr. Lapuerta will sit down with the patient during a consultation and clearly communicate the treatment plan and expected results, making sure the patient is fully aware of what is to come.

Combining a mini tummy tuck with a C-section is not advised. Besides the possibility of complications and the difficulty of recovering from pregnancy and plastic surgery simultaneously, the best results are seen in patients who are back to their desired weight and physical condition prior to a mini tummy or a full tummy tuck. Therefore, patients should wait until after their body has fully recovered from pregnancy and have no plans to get pregnant again before undergoing the procedure.

Additionally, many women experience a separation of the abdominal wall fascia, which is a piece of tissue that holds the abdominal wall muscles close together. Pregnancy puts stress on this fascia tissue, and in many women, this tissue is permanently damaged after giving birth. Patients are left with a separation of their abdominal muscles that cannot be repaired or improved with any diet or amount of exercise. Patients will notice that their stomach looks “ok” most of the time but will protrude, distend, or “pooch” after meals. This is because their abdominal wall muscles are separated, and only a tummy tuck can repair this problem.

Risks of a Mini Tummy Tuck Procedure

The risks of a mini tummy tuck are similar to the full tummy tuck. Because the work being done for a mini tuck is on a smaller scale, the time spent in surgery will also be less — about two hours for most patients. Both procedures require general anesthesia, but less time spent under surgery for a shorter procedure alleviates some of the risks that accompany any type of surgery. 

Following the procedure, your doctor will recommend wearing compression garments to protect your incision and to hold the area still and in place for the first couple of weeks as you heal.

As with any surgery where an incision is made, there is always the risk of infection. You can reduce this risk by following doctor’s orders for cleaning and caring for your incision until it heals.

Benefits of a Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck is a great way to get the body you want and to feel good about your appearance. It takes care of loose skin around your abdomen that can cause you to feel self-conscious. You’ll feel more confident about how you look in a swimsuit or other form-fitting clothing.

The results of a mini tummy tuck can last for years as long as you don’t have any significant weight gain or get pregnant. You no longer need to hold your stomach in or wear a girdle or other garment to hide rolls of loose skin.

Another benefit of the mini tummy tuck is that it can be included in a combination of effective procedures, such as a fat transfer surgery. If you want to increase the size of your breasts or buttocks, you can use the fat from other locations. The fat removed from a full or mini tummy tuck can be reused elsewhere on the body.

Immediately following surgery, there will be some swelling, bruising, and soreness of the abdomen. It is also natural to have a temporary change in the way the area feels during their mini tummy tuck recovery. Patients can expect to be back on their feet the day after the surgery and can return to work in two weeks. While shorter than the recovery from a full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck recovery will still generally take somewhere between four and six weeks. After four to six weeks, patients are usually given clearance to resume exercise and other strenuous activities.

Following the procedure, there will be a mini tummy tuck scar. However, an experienced and skilled surgeon will strategically make their incision so that the scar will not be visible to the average individual. The mini tummy tuck scar will not be visible if the patient is wearing underwear, a bathing suit, or any other kind of clothing. Additionally, over time the scar will fade and become less visible.

Abdominoplasty continues to be a popular choice for men and women seeking a flatter and tighter stomach following weight loss and pregnancy. Since a mini tummy tuck is a less extensive surgery than a full abdominoplasty, the cost will be a little less. Most patients can expect a mini tummy tuck to cost between $5,000 and $7,500.

However, each individual case will vary, and the only way to get an accurate quote for the expected mini tummy tuck cost is to request a consultation with Dr. Lapuerta. Dr. Lapuerta will meet with the patient and partner with them to determine the best way to meet their goals. Once a treatment plan is determined, Dr. Lapuerta can provide the patient with the expected mini tummy tuck cost. Contact Dr. Lapuerta today to schedule a consultation.

Why Choose Dr. Leo Lapuerta for a Mini Tummy Tuck in Houston?

If you want to regain that toned stomach you once had, talk to the team with Dr. Leo Lapuerta about a mini tummy tuck. Dr. Lapuerta has performed thousands of procedures to help men and women look and feel their best. With more than 20 years in the industry, Dr. Lapuerta has gained the trust and respect from his patients for the results he provides. Schedule a free consultation to learn if you are a candidate for a mini tummy tuck.