MINI ABDOMINOPLASTY – MINI TUMMY TUCK

Good candidates for mini-abdominoplasty are patients with rectus diastasis but very little excess abdominal skin. Tightening of the muscles can be achieved with a shorter incision, similar to a c-section scar, and no incision around the bellybutton.

Most patients require a drain that stays in place for 1-2 weeks after surgery, especially when abdominoplasty is combined with liposuction. The drain can be irritating but is necessary for preventing a post-operative fluid collection and achieving the best possible result. Some patients are good candidates for a “drainless tummy tuck.” In this procedure, internal sutures called “progressive tension sutures” can be placed and the use of a drain can be avoided.

Abdominoplasty is a procedure with a significant recovery compared to other cosmetic procedures. At Blue Water Plastic Surgery we do everything we can to make recovery as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Typically, we use a pain pump for the first few days which delivers local anesthetic into the surgical site continuously. We use an ERAS protocol for pain control to reduce the need for narcotic pain medications. We encourage an active recovery from day one but exercise is limited for the first few weeks with a gradual increase in activity level afterwards. Many patients return to work after 1-2 weeks after surgery.