Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty)

Mini Tummy Tuck in Toronto

Mini Tummy Tuck is a procedure for those patients seeking an alternative to regular Tummy Tuck, but who require more than Liposuction of the abdomen alone. It combines elements of both procedures to help improve the abdominal region for a thinner, sleeker look.

Benefits of a Mini Tummy Tuck

A Mini Tummy Tuck addresses the three components that make an abdomen unattractive: fat, muscle laxity, and excess skin. In contrast to a regular Tummy Tuck, a Mini Tummy Tuck improves each component to a lesser extent. Therefore, these procedures may not be applicable to all patients.

The components of a Mini Tummy Tuck:

• Liposuction of the entire abdomen
• Tightening of the muscles below the navel
• Removal of a minor amount of excess skin (this is a key difference

when compared to Tummy Tuck which removes a significant amount of excess skin)

Am I a candidate for Mini Tummy Tuck?

In general, candidates for Mini Tummy Tuck are patients who have:

• A moderately thick abdominal fat layer
• Good skin elasticity
• A minor amount of abdominal skin excess, predominantly below the navel
• Muscle laxity predominantly in the lower abdomen (below the navel)

During your consultation, Toronto plastic surgeon Lawrence Tong, MD will assess your concerns and anatomy to determine whether Mini Tummy Tuck is an appropriate procedure for you to consider. Patients should otherwise be relatively fit and in general good health. Smoking should stop at least 2 weeks prior to surgery, and not resume during the healing phase.¹

Mini Tummy Tuck vs Traditional Abdominoplasty

Not a Substitute for Regular Tummy Tuck

Mini Tummy Tuck is less surgery, less recovery, and less cost than a regular Tummy Tuck, but it does not produce the same results as a traditional Tummy Tuck. In the appropriate candidate, Mini Tummy Tuck is a great option, but for patients who need a regular Tummy Tuck, the results of Mini Tummy Tuck are unsatisfactory.

A Trade-off for Fewer Scars

One of the attractions of a Mini Tummy Tuck is the shorter scar . By having a shorter scar, the amount of excess skin that can be removed is also somewhat limited; this is why the best candidates for Mini Tummy Tuck tend to have only a mild degree of lax or excess skin.

Slightly Less Muscle Tightening

Patients who have lax muscles will be able to have them tightened, but only below the navel. If laxity extends above the navel, a full Tummy Tuck, or occasionally a modified Mini Tummy Tuck (umbilical float modification), will be recommended.

How to Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon For You

Incisions for Mini Tummy Tuck

Any surgical procedure will create some scars, however small. It is the job of a plastic surgeon to hide and minimize their appearance.

The location and length of the incision for Mini Tummy Tuck is quite similar to a C-section scar. If you already have a C-section scar, Dr. Tong will remove it and replace it with the Mini Tummy Tuck scar. The incision is generally placed below the bikini line. A longer incision is used if more skin removal is desired. Dr. Tong places another very small stab incision just inside the lip of the navel for the Liposuction component of the procedure.

The Mini Tummy Tuck Procedure

Dr. Tong performs your Mini Abdominoplasty under general anesthesia or deep IV sedation. During the procedure, you are asleep and unaware of the surroundings. Dr. Tong conducts the surgery at St. Thomas Surgery Centre, located within Dr. Tong’s plastic surgery office in downtown Yorkville, Toronto. Mini Tummy Tuck, in contrast to regular Tummy Tuck, does not involve an overnight stay. Patients will be able to leave after fully waking up from the general anesthesia.

The procedure starts with Liposuction of the entire abdomen from below the bikini line, up to the edge of the ribcage. Next, Dr. Tong makes the lower abdominal incision in a similar location to a c-section. The skin is lifted off the muscle to the level of the navel, and the muscles below the level of the navel are tightened with multiple stitches. The skin is pulled downwards, and the appropriate amount of skin is removed. A drainage tube is placed, and meticulous closure of the wound is performed with plastic surgery technique. Some minor dressings are placed and you are awakened from anesthesia.

Recovery from Mini Tummy Tuck

Recovery Immediately after Mini Tummy Tuck

Following your Mini Tummy Tuck surgery, our staff transfers you to the post-anesthesia recovery room where our nurses monitor you, as you gradually wake up. When the anesthetic effects have worn off, you may go home with your family member(s) or friend(s).

Recovery at Home after Mini Tummy Tuck

While at home, we encourage you to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. You may perform non-strenuous, everyday tasks such as reading, watching television, and making meals. You will be taught how to take care of your drainage tubes prior to leaving the surgical facility. Showering is permitted 24-hours after your Mini Tummy Tuck. There is usually mild to moderate bruising. Expect to feel sore along the entire tummy area as well. Dr. Tong will prescribe narcotic pain medications for you to use to alleviate discomfort. Antibiotics will also be prescribed as a preventative measure against infection. Most patients are able to return to work within 5-7 days.

Return Visits after Mini Tummy Tuck

One week after your Mini Tummy Tuck, Dr. Tong will see you to remove the drain and stitches. He will inform you of activity restrictions; most patients may begin light exercise at 2 weeks, and strenuous exercise at 4-6 weeks. You will follow-up subsequently at 6 weeks and 6 months after your surgery. During later visits, photographs of the area are taken to document your progress. Photographs are not used for any other purpose unless your consent is given.

Like any procedure, Mini Tummy Tuck has risks and complications associated with it. The risks are low, but do exist. At your consultation, Dr. Tong will go over the pertinent potential risks and complications associated with Mini Abdominoplasty.

Your Mini Tummy Tuck Consultation

Cosmetic surgery is real surgery; do your research carefully. You should have all the information about your procedure and your surgeon. During your Mini Tummy Tuck consultation, Dr. Tong gives you his undivided time and attention to discuss your concerns, and answer all your questions about Mini Tummy Tuck. Our goal is to have you become an educated patient. You can view before and after examples of his work as well. We know that an educated patient will make the right decisions about their surgery and surgeon.

To learn more about how Dr. Tong can help you with your Tummy Tuck goals, set up a Mini Abdominoplasty consultation with Dr. Tong by giving us a call at (647) 931-1287. If you wish, let us give you a call; just fill out our contact form and we will call you on the same or the next business day. No physician’s referral is needed.

¹ American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Who is a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/tummy-tuck/candidates. Accessed February 22, 2021.