What Is the Difference Between Mini and Full Tummy Tucks?
One of the most requested Cleveland plastic surgery procedures, tummy tucks, or abdominoplasty, surgically remove loose skin, fat deposits and stretch marks in the abdominal area. Multiple pregnancies, substantial weight loss or genetics can stretch skin, muscles and tissue past its ability to "snap back," giving your stomach a "paunchy" appearance or leaving unsightly folds of loose skin hanging from the stomach area. Even dedicated dieting and exercise can fail to restore elasticity. A tummy tuck can restore your body's balance and shape.
Accentuate Within Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center in Avon Lake, Ohio offers three types of tummy tucks: full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck and lipo tummy tuck which combines liposuction with a mini tuck. In all three, an incision is made above the pubic area from hip to hip. While the mini tuck incision is shorter, the incision will leave a permanent scar that will fade over time. Skilled plastic surgeons like Dr. Poblete are able to position the incision so that it will be hidden by most underwear and bathing suits.
In performing tummy tucks, the abdominal skin is pulled up and the vertical abdominal muscles are stitched together and tightened. In a full tuck, a second incision is made around the belly button allowing the skin to be lifted higher and a larger expanse of muscle to be repaired. A mini tuck requires only a single incision, leaving the belly button intact. A lipo mini tuck includes liposuction of excess fat from the stomach area to improve body profile.
Skin is laid back over the abdomen, sutured and excess skin removed. Depending on the procedure selected, surgery generally lasts 2 to 5 hours, and patients will experience some pain and bruising. Patients are usually able to return to work in 1 week and resume normal activities in about 3 weeks.