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Mini Tummy Tuck Less Painful Than a Full Tummy Tuck?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Robert Heck, MD
Question viewed 3,634 times
Tags: pain

Is a mini tummy tuck less painful than a full, regular tummy tuck?

15 answers to Mini Tummy Tuck Less Painful Than a Full Tummy Tuck?

+2

Mini-tummy tuck pain

A mini-tummy tuck conceivably is less painful than a full tummy tuck because there is not the extensive undermining and certainly not the same abdominal muscle plication.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Mini vs. full tummy tuck

Make sure with your board certified plastic surgeon that you are a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck vs. a standard tummy tuck. Although the recovery and healing time may be less with a mini, you may not have the best results possible. A mini tummy tuck only involves work below the belly button. This includes the removal of loose skin and tissue compared to a full tummy tuck which involves rectus muscle repair and the removal of loose and stretched skin. Liposuction and a new belly... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

Mini tummy tuck and full tummy tuck pain quite similar

Both procedures are designed to remove excess skin and fatty tissue from the abdomen and to tighten muscles of the abdominal wall. The full abdominoplasty targets the upper, middle and lower part of the abdomen. Mini tummy tuck is ideal for people who have excessive fat between belly button and pubic bone. Bulging in this area is due to accumulation of excess of fatty tissue, as well as flaccidity of the lower stomach muscles. The recovery time and the level of discomfort after the surgery... more
Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

Make sure your surgeon explains what his "mini" procedure is

In general, most of us define a mini-tummy tuck as a procedure which addresses the abdomen from the belly button down, usually with some tightening of the muscles and removal of excess skin. Some surgeons, however, will only remove skin in this procedure, leaving any bulge that you may have due to loose muscle behind and therefore not really changing the contour of your abdomen. It's important for your surgeon to explain exactly what his plans are for your procedure and why he would... more
Shahram Salemy, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is a mini tummy tuck less painful than a full tummy tuck?

Yes, a mini TT is less painful than a full TT. A mini tummy tuck has a shorter scar, there is less undermining, and recovery time is much less.
Robert Heck, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy-tuck is generally less uncomfortable that a full tummy tuck for all of the reason listed. Make certain that your surgeon is a board certified plastic surgeon.  Best wishes!
Christine Sullivan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

A mini tummy tuck may be less painful due to a less agressive muscle repair but the results may also be less impressive for the

A mini tummy tuck may be less painful due to a less agressive muscle repair but the results may also be less impressive for the same reasons. IT does not necessarily mean a shorter scar.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Minimizing pain after a tummy tuck

Typically there is only minor discomfort with a mini tummy tuck, as there is very little work done on the abdominal wall.  In our practice we strive to limit amount of pain even in a full tummy tuck.  To achieve this one needs impeccable surgical technique, long acting numbing medicine infiltration and pain pumps.  Make sure your surgeon discusses with you the optimum approach, as each tummy tuck needs to be individualized for optimum outcome.
Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck vs. Abdominoplasty

Mini tummy tucks are less invasive than a traditional abdominoplasty. I perform a Santa Monica Tummy Tuck which incorporates a well hidden, low lying scar across the lower abdomen. The key question is really not the level of pain post-operatively, but more importantly, the right surgery for your anatomic concerns.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery from mini tummy tuck can be less painful than full abdominoplasty

It is common and safe to combine abdominoplasty with uterine surgery to remove fibroids. Adding the breast augmentation to an extended abdomenoplasty will increase the time in the OR, complicate recovery and increase the risk of complications such as blood clots in your legs. I would do the breast augmenation as a second procedure at a later date.
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

It all depends on whether the muscle needs tightening.

Most of the discomfort from a tummy tuck relates to the tightening (aka plication) of the abdominal muscles. Usually with a mini-tummy tuck, the muscle is only tightened below the belly button versus a full tummy tuck, which tightens the muscle from the rib cage to the pubic bone. However, both can be painful.
Kevin Brenner, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini-abdominoplasty and Full abdominoplasty Post-op Pain

The post-operative pain experienced by patients undergoing these procedures tends to be quite similar. In fact, sometimes it appears that patients who undergo the mini-tummy tuck have more pain, likely due to the increase use of liposuction in that procedure. Both procedures remove excess skin and fat as well as tighten the loose underlying muscles. It is this muscle tightening that creates the majority of pain, so despite a shorter incision, the pain of the mini-tummy tuck is coming... more
Kent V. Hasen, MD

Naples Plastic Surgeon
+1

Don't bee fooled by "mini"

Just because the procedure is called "mini," don't be fooled. The incision is the same length, but the results are inferior. You need to be examined by an experienced surgeon to make the determination of which procedure is best for you. The recovery is longer from a full tuck because more surgery is done underneath the skin (the muscles are tightened). However, the results are superior. Good luck with your surgery.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Mini operation, mini result

A mini tummy tuck deals with the lower abdominal excess below the umbilicus. In select cases, it could be a suitable procedure. There is much less dissection than the full tummy tuck. However, the effect is very different. The pain could be much less but the result is a lot less as well. Hope that helps!
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

www.drseify.com

+1

Maybe a little bit, but do the one you need!

Don't go for a "mini" tummy tuck if you really need the full procedure. The scar isn't much shorter and the entire upper abdomen is left untreated in the mini so the results are not as tight and flat. At the one month point after surgery, there wouldn't be any difference anymore in the rate of recovery between the two procedures so do the one you really need and don't get tempted into a mini because it sounds better. Realize also that many doctors out there doing... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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