subject: Am I a Candidate For a Mini Tummy Tuck? [print this page] A mini tummy tuck is a plastic surgery procedure that allows a patient to have a shorter, smaller incision compared to the average tummy tuck. You will need a consultation and exam by a Plastic Surgeon to see if you are a candidate.
The best candidates are patients who have very little loose skin in the center of their lower abdomen and upper groin area. The patient must also have little to no fat in the love handle areas.
The average tummy tuck removes loose skin, soft tissue, and fat from the entire abdomen. This skin and soft tissue is removed and discarded. While this area is open, your tummy muscles are usually tightened and then the area is closed. Most patients have slight love handles and may require liposuction to smooth the side contour. This will give you the best aesthetic result- tight tummy skin, no bulging of fat at the love handles, a very thin scar that is low in relation to your body.
Unfortunately, most women are not candidatesfor the procedurebecause they have too much loose skin over the entire surface of their abdomen. A shorter incision with a mini tummy tuck is only possible if you have loose skin only around the center of your stomach and zero love handles. This is pretty uncommon, even among women who are very thin and fit.
A beautifulappearance is still possible, but most patients need the traditional full tummy tuck. Only after a personalized consultation with a Plastic Surgeon can you determine what is best for you.
