Mini abdominoplasty: what it is, how it is done and recovery

A mini abdominoplasty is a plastic surgery that helps remove a small amount of fat located in the lower part of the belly, and is especially recommended for those who are thin and have accumulated fat in this region or have a lot of sagging and stretch marks, for example.

This surgery is similar to abdominoplasty, but it is less complex, has a faster recovery and has few scars, as only a small cut is made in the belly, without touching the navel and there is no need to sew the abdominal muscles.

Mini abdominoplasty must be performed in the hospital by a plastic surgeon with experience in this type of surgery, requiring hospitalization for 1 or 2 days after surgery.

When is it indicated

Mini abdominoplasty can be performed on people who have a small amount of sagging and abdominal fat only in the lower part of the belly, and is especially recommended for:

• Women who have already had childrenbut maintained good skin elasticity and without much sagging in the abdomen;
• Women who have had abdominal diastasiswhich is the separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy;
• thin people but with fat and sagging in the lower abdomen.

Furthermore, successive weight losses and gains can increase sagging skin in the lower part of the belly, which is also an indication for a mini abdominoplasty.

How it is made

Mini abdominoplasty can be performed with general or epidural anesthesia, lasting an average of 2 hours. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon makes a cut in the lower part of the belly, which is normally small, but can be larger depending on the size of the area to be treated. Through this cut, the surgeon is able to burn excess fat and eliminate localized fat that was modifying the contour of the belly.

Finally, excess skin is removed and the skin is stretched, reducing the sagging that existed in the lower part of the belly and then stitches are made on the scar.

What is recovery like?

The post-operative period of a mini abdominoplasty is quicker than a classic abdominoplasty, however, it is still necessary to take some similar precautions, such as:

• Wear an abdominal belt throughout the day, for approximately 30 days;
• Avoid efforts in the first month;
• Avoid sunbathing until your doctor authorizes it;
• Stay slightly bent forward during the first 15 days to prevent the stitches from opening;
• Sleep on your back for the first 15 days.

It is usually possible to return to day-to-day activities approximately 1 month after surgery, and it is important to carry out at least 20 sessions of manual lymphatic drainage every other day, starting approximately 3 days after surgery. See more post-operative care for abdominoplasty.

Possible complications

Mini abdominoplasty is a very safe surgery, however, it has some risks such as scar infection, opening of stitches, seroma formation and bruising.

To reduce this type of risk, surgery must be performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon, as well as following all pre- and post-operative recommendations.

Who shouldn’t do

Mini abdominoplasty should not be done by people with heart, lung or blood clotting problems, or diabetes, as they can cause complications during surgery such as bleeding or healing problems.

This surgery should also not be performed in some cases such as morbid obesity, women up to 6 months after giving birth or up to 6 months after ending breastfeeding, people with large sagging skin on the abdomen or people who have had bariatric surgery and have excess skin. in the belly.

Furthermore, mini abdominoplasty should not be performed on people with psychiatric problems such as anorexia or body dysmorphia, for example, as concerns about body image can affect satisfaction with the results after surgery and cause depressive symptoms.