Peninsula Plastic Surgery

The Modern Tummy Tuck: Everything You Need to Know

Remember when we’d often hear stories about traditional tummy tucks and how recovery would usually take several weeks? Those days are long gone thanks to the latest technological advancements that help us get the results we want, with less discomfort, pain, and downtime. 

Fortunately, we live in a time where there are constant improvements and innovations in our Plastic Surgery practices. Since the birth of abdominoplasty, tummy tucks have progressed from when they started as a procedure to cover battle wounds and support healing during World War I to helping women who experienced birth wounds, which are the “battle scars” of pregnancy. 

Because this Plastic Surgery procedure is so-called invasive, some people are still skeptical about getting it done. However, the modern tummy tuck is so different from what we used to know. So, if you’re getting plastic surgery in Torrance soon and you need to learn more about the different types of improved tummy tucks, you’ve come to the right place. 

The Mini Tummy Tuck

People, and especially many women after pregnancy, started to get tummy tucks because they wanted to correct the sagging and bulging that most have in the navel area. However, a traditional tummy tuck is referred to as full abdominoplasty, but that’s not the only option anymore.

New surgical advances have curtailed the discomfort associated with this type of plastic surgery and are a great option if you want minimal revisions. The mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty is for those who only want to treat the bulge in their belly button areas. Besides that, recovery time is relatively quick, putting you back on your feet in no time!

A mini tummy tuck targets the lower abdomen and is great for correcting a mild case of diastasis recti which is the split between your right and left abdominal wall muscles.   This gap can cause a protruding belly, which is usually impossible to eliminate through diet and exercise. That is why a mini tummy tuck is used to tighten sagging skin after pregnancy, weight loss, or skin laxity.

Mini tummy tucks involve only the lower incision on the bikini line and do not address sagging above the navel. The plastic surgeon makes an incision on the bikini line a few inches above the pubic area.  The surgeon then removes the excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and pulls the skin upward and then it sutures into place.

After your mini tummy tuck, you should expect some swelling and some bruising for a few days. After about a week the bandages will be removed and you may return to work within one week of your procedure.

Which Type of Tummy Tuck Should You Get?

Because of the developments in modern plastic surgery, procedures like the tummy tuck are more accessible. Now that there are options for less invasive procedures, and quicker recovery time, more people are saying yes to plastic surgery. 

Depending on what you want to address in your body, both the full tummy tuck and the mini one hold many benefits that will definitely give you the results you desire. This is why it’s important to speak to an experienced plastic surgeon so that they could recommend the best plastic surgery option for you.

Looking to Get Plastic Surgery in Torrance?

Our team of experienced plastic surgeons in Peninsula Plastic Surgery provides plastic surgery in Torrance, including breast augmentation, tummy tucks, facelifts, liposuction, rhinoplasty, and more. Speak to one of our plastic surgeons today!