It may come as no surprise that the tummy is one of the areas of the body that most women and men complain about. Whether it is from weight fluctuations or pregnancy, overextended abdominal muscles can be problematic and stand in the way of the nice, taut tummy you deserve.
When considering Cosmetic Surgery, there are two surgical options available to regain your tight abdomen and boost your body self-esteem.
Mini Tummy Tuck vs. Full Tummy Tuck
Although they are similar in name, there are significant distinctions between a Mini Tummy Tuck (Partial Abdominoplasty) and a Full Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty). So, where do these distinctions lie? To answer this question, you must first look at where and to what extent a resolution is needed for the abdominal problem.
Where a full tummy tuck encompasses the entire abdominal region, a mini tummy tuck focuses exclusively on the lower part of the tummy. Below we shed light on each procedure to give you a better understanding of the difference between the two and which may be best suited for you.
The Big Difference
The main difference centers on the extent of surgery required. Board-certified Dr. Ben Lee will recommend the proper procedure based on patient need. The patient who requires a reduction of abdominal fat above and below the belly button, Dr. Lee will recommend a Full Abdominoplasty; for those who struggle with less fat residing under the belly button only, he will suggest a Partial Abdominoplasty.
Four Differences in Surgical Technique
While a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck can each improve your abdominal shape, there are four differences between the techniques.
Length of Incision
The most noticeable difference is the length of the incision. With a shorter incision implemented below the belly button running between hipbone and hipbone, there is less risk of scarring with a mini tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck usually runs the entire distance from hipbone to hipbone and vertically up to the belly button.
It is easy to see why the mini is preferable to the full when practical. However, with limited access, the mini tummy tuck is not as effective in dealing with a more expansive area and a greater volume of fat like the full tummy tuck. These limitations could affect the level of correction needed for a successful tummy tuck procedure.
The Belly Button
When performing a full tummy tuck, Dr. Lee removes and relocates the belly button lower on the abdomen. The reason is because of the amount of excess skin removed during surgery.
Because of the confined treatment area and less fat needing extraction, a mini tummy tuck will remove less skin and not noticeably change the location of the belly button, while also removing the risk of scarring in this area.
Surgery and Recovery Durations
A mini tummy tuck requires less surgical time and has a quicker recovery period because of the need for less correction. Many of our patients feel ready to return to their daily routine (outside of working out) within a week after a partial abdominoplasty as opposed to at least two weeks following a traditional abdominoplasty.
Our mini tummy tuck patients also show more interest in returning to their workout regimen quicker than our full tummy tuck patient. These facts should not sway your choice, however, because the surgical results are the key reason for each procedure. Dr. Lee will discuss the pros and cons of each and which is more suitable for your situation during your abdominoplasty consultation.
The Right Choice for You
Choosing the right procedure comes with having the right information as it pertains to your unique body and its anatomy. Dr. Lee is highly trained and experienced in the art of abdominoplasty and can be a great resource when making your decision. His patients are excited with the results they enjoy after Dr. Lee’s tummy tuck procedure.
To learn more about which tummy tuck procedure is right for you, feel free to contact Dr. Lee at 303-770-1379 in Denver or Contact Us Here to schedule your abdominoplasty consultation.
