Plastic Surgery Mini-Tummy Tuck Chicago
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Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can remove excess skin and fat from the upper, middle, and lower abdomen. Whether you also need liposuction, muscle tightening, and relocation of your “belly button,” or umbilicus, will be decided at your initial consultation. Abdominoplasty can also dramatically reduce the excess skin and fat that can occur following pregnancy and dramatic weight loss.
Mini-Tummy Tuck Consultation
At your initial consultation, Dr. Casas will examine your abdomen. She will assess your skin tone, the degree of loose skin in your abdominal region, the amount of excess fat in your abdomen, and the condition of your abdominal muscles to determine what type of abdominoplasty will best achieve your desired result. Oftentimes, mini-abdominoplasty, or skin-only abdominoplasty, can be performed. Dr. Casas will also discuss with you the best method of anesthesia, whether local, general or epidural anesthesia.
Dr. Casas will review and educate you if needed on proper nutrition and exercise. She believes that proper diet and exercise are necessary to maintain your results. Dr. Casas believes that these habits need to be in place prior to undertaking a body contouring surgical procedure so that the results will be long-lasting.
Mini-Tummy Tuck Recovery
The day after surgery, Dr. Casas will encourage you to walk around to promote blood circulation. However, she will ask you to avoid straining, bending, and lifting for at least four to eight weeks to help reduce scarring and swelling. Narrow drainage tubes placed to help remove excess fluid and to help reduce swelling will be removed within one to two weeks. Stitches will be removed within two to four weeks. Dr. Casas will ask you to continue to wear a support garment for a few months after surgery to further minimize swelling. Patients are typically able to return to non-strenuous work within one to two weeks. You will be able to enjoy your reshaped abdomen within months as your swelling subsides.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage, administered by massage, is used after each procedure to reduce swelling. The number of sessions is individualized. It is important that patients follow a healthy lifestyle leading up to and following procedures, including non-smoking, a healthy diet and daily vitamins. Click here to learn more.
Dr. Casas and her team use Alastin Products with Tripeptides and Hexapeptides to improve and hasten your recovery following procedures. Her research shows that using topical treatment following procedures, there is less postprocedural swelling, pain and discomfort. There is also an overall improved skin quality visually and to the touch.
Mini-Tummy Tuck Cost
The cost of this procedure depends on a few variables, like the length of surgery, the type of anesthesia used, the technique used, and other factors. If you have any questions about the price of a mini-tummy tuck, be sure to ask Dr. Casas during your consultation.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you are interested in learning more about the mini-tummy tuck procedure, contact the office of Dr. Laurie Casas to schedule your consultation today. Dr. Casas and her friendly staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about this procedure and will set you up with a consultation.
Here at Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we strive to optimize patient experience and satisfaction following procedures. Read her research here…
Topical Treatment with Tripeptide and Hexapeptide Following Body-Contouring Procedures Improved Patient-Reported Recovery Outcomes
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Read about alternative fat reduction procedures and take a look at our before / after photo galleries, both invasive and non-invasive:
Mini Tummy Tuck FAQ
One of the most common questions we receive is about the cost of a mini tummy tuck. The national average for a mini tummy tuck costs between $4000-$5000, which is considerably less expensive than a full tummy tuck, which can cost upwards of $9,000. However, you should know that prices can vary from one location to the next based on a variety of factors. Contact our office for a personalized quote for your mini tummy tuck procedure.
You will first start with a consultation. During this time, the doctor will give you a complete physical evaluation and discuss your medical history and goals. It’ll then be determined if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Patients should plan for the operation to take between two or three hours, with some of the time being spent on prepping the patient and explaining what to expect during recovery. Because patients are put under general anesthesia for the procedure, you should plan on someone driving you home and caring for you immediately after the surgery. Patients should expect to stay bent at the waist for about two weeks, and additional follow-up appointments will be scheduled, so plans should be made accordingly for aftercare.
A mini tummy tuck is somewhat similar to a full tummy tuck. However, the area of focus for this procedure is underneath the naval. An incision is placed a few inches under the belly button, where the surgeon will repair muscles and remove any loose skin. The skin is then pulled tight over the lower stomach removing any signs of pooching or excess skin.
The incision for a mini tummy tuck is smaller than a full tummy tuck. It is just a few inches long and runs along the bikini line, making it easy to conceal. Unlike a full tummy tuck, no incisions will be made around the belly button. Patients will see results right away, but complete results will take several weeks as bruising, and swelling subside.
It should be noted that immediately following the procedure, patients will likely feel a tugging sensation, numbing, swelling, and pain around the incision area. It is important to rest and keep the compression garment in place to help with the initial side effects of surgery.
A mini tummy tuck is considered a quick procedure compared to other types of surgeries, taking about two or three hours to complete. The exact time may vary based on the needs of the patient. The results of the procedure are permanent, but it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as weight fluctuations could impact the results. For best results, you should follow all of the recovery instructions and advice from your doctor on how to maintain your results long-term.
General anesthesia is used during the procedure, meaning patients will feel no pain during surgery. The anesthesia may also numb the area for several hours after the surgery, so you may not feel pain until much later in the day after surgery or even the following day. In the days following the surgery, patients may feel tenderness, soreness, and moderate pain. It’s important to follow all of the restrictions and guidelines to promote a speedy recovery, such as limiting activity, resting, and taking any prescribed medications to help with pain and swelling.
A good candidate for a mini tummy tuck is someone who does not have abdominal separation and whose excess skin and fat are located in the lower stomach. Generally, this operation is best for someone who is relatively fit and at a healthy weight but struggles with fat deposits or loose skin that can’t be corrected through diet and exercise. You should be done having children, have good skin elasticity, and have realistic expectations for your results. While there is no definitive weight requirement for a mini tummy tuck, it is typically suggested to have a BMI under 32.
The decision to get a mini or full tummy tuck generally comes down to the location of your excess skin and fat. If your trouble area is only located in the lower stomach, then a mini tummy tuck is the right choice for you. However, if you have loose skin and extra fat throughout your midsection, then it is likely that a full tummy tuck is the better solution for reaching your goals.
Keep in mind only a full tummy tuck can address abdominal separation. The incision is made from hip bone to hip bone, allowing excess skin and fat to be removed from the stomach area. A full tummy tuck can also work to reduce the number of stretch marks. A mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck do not remove large amounts of fat, so it’s important that patients are near a healthy body weight for the best results.
During a consultation, your doctor will determine if a mini or full tummy tuck is the right solution for your needs.
When looking at mini tummy tuck before and after photos, you may notice that the patient’s body size remains relatively the same. This is because a mini tummy tuck only removes about three pounds of excess skin and fat from the body. Only about two inches of excess skin is removed during this procedure.
It’s important to recognize that this surgery is designed for individuals who are already in good shape and simply need some tightening of the skin and small amounts of fat removed. A mini tummy tuck is not ideal for someone who is searching for an extreme weight loss solution.
To learn more about mini tummy tucks in Chicago, please reach out to our office at 847-657-6884 to discuss if this is the right procedure for your goals.
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