This 30-year-old female 1-month following a mini tummy tuck resulted in the narrowing of her torso and improved figure in clothes. This patient demonstrates a jump from 6 to 8 points on the high-definition abdominal body scale.
A mini tummy tuck is most likely to utilize a very low incision in the pubic region. Since the mini tucking procedure only addresses excess skin below the belly button, the traditional belly button incision used in full tummy tucks is unnecessary. The tension is the main factor determining the extent of a tummy tuck surgery scar. There are several reasons why the elimination of abdominal skin during a mini tummy tuck avoids a prominent scar.
First, a mini tummy tuck scar is far less prominent because the created tension following the excision of excess skin is localized to a small region below the belly button. This fact translates to the limited tension capacity of a mini tummy tuck scar. The second reason a mini tummy tuck scar is less noticeable is that the incision is placed very low on the pubic region. Finally, our SurgiSculpt surgeons utilize layered closure to further reduce tension off of the skin layer. This occurs by closing the skin incision in three separate layers. These layers include the underlying fascia, then the deep layer of the skin, called the deep dermis, and then the superficial dermis. Please note that during a mini tummy tuck, the abdominal muscles are not altered when loose muscles are present and thus do not require closure. This is because the mini tuck utilizes limited undermining that forbids exposing the upper abdomen’s abdominal wall. Instead, in this cosmetic procedure, all attention is provided to the loose skin that is eliminated with the limited excision of the extra skin below the belly button.
After Surgery Care of Mini Tummy Tuck Scar
Post-operative care also aids in maintaining the ideal abdominal contour that patients receive following any mini tummy tuck procedure. First, mini tummy tuck patients are allowed to return near full upright position soon after the surgery since the excisional tightness associated with a traditional tummy tuck is avoided.
Management of your incision line is critical to the success of your avoiding an incision line scar. First, keeping the incision line clean and dry after surgery is important. This expectation allows your incision line to avoid wetness that can macerate your incision. You will also find your incision line covered with a sterile surgical tape called Steri-Strips. As early as one month following surgery, you will be recommended topical silicone tape or gel treatment of your incisions. This gel will be applied to your incision line(s) daily during the second and third months of healing.
If your SurgiSculpt surgeon feels your incision line is redder than desired, they will recommend a series of laser treatments using IPL. If your incision line is raised, your surgeon will recommend steroid injection of the lines performed at 6-week intervals until the incision lines are flat.
Please appreciate the smooth abdominal contour of the mini tummy tuck scar patients below. Book a complimentary consultation with a SurgiSculpt surgeon today!
