Mini Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Mr Olivier Amar - Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
A mini tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is ideal for patients who are seeking targeted improvement in the lower abdomen without the scars and recovery associated with full abdominoplasty surgery
What is Mini Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery?
A mini tummy tuck, also known as mini abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess sagging skin from the lower abdomen. This minimally invasive option creates a smoother, firmer and more toned stomach appearance with significantly less scarring than a full tummy tuck procedure. Unlike traditional abdominoplasty, a mini tummy tuck focuses specifically on the area below the belly button, making it an ideal solution for patients with localised skin laxity in the lower abdominal region.
Ideal candidates for mini tummy tuck surgery are those who:
- Have loose skin below the navel due to pregnancy, weight loss or natural ageing
- Are in good overall health and close to their target weight, as this is not a weight loss procedure
- Have good skin elasticity in the treatment area
- Do not require muscle repair or tightening (diastasis recti)
- Want to address lower abdominal concerns without the scarring involved in full abdominoplasty surgery
Loose skin and tummy bulges often leave patients feeling self-conscious, particularly when wearing fitted clothes or swimwear. A mini tummy tuck can help you to feel confident about your body again.
Your consultation
Whether meeting in person or remotely, your consultation with Mr Olivier Amar provides a comprehensive discussion of your hoped for goals and treatment options. To get the most out of your consultation, we recommend reviewing information about your area of interest beforehand.
During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will listen to your desired outcomes and goals, conduct a thorough assessment, present appropriate treatment options and explain procedures in detail. This will include a step-by-step surgical process, required preparation, recovery timeline, scar placement and management, anaesthesia options, and potential risks and complications.
A consultation ensures you receive comprehensive information about all options, and understand both benefits and limitations of proposed procedures. You will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish before you decide the next steps together, including the option to take no action.
Personalised Approach to Body Contouring
Mr Olivier Amar specialises in fat removal and body contouring treatments, carefully developing a tailored approach to help patients achieve their ideal body silhouette. By combining advanced techniques and precise targeting, Mr Olivier Amar aims to sculpt the body for a more refined silhouette that enhances your natural body shape.
Risks associated with surgery
Every surgical procedure, while performed with the utmost care and expertise, carries inherent risks. Mr Olivier Amar ensures all patients are fully informed about potential complications before proceeding with any treatment.
General surgical risks include post-operative infection, bleeding and haematoma formation, scarring and wound healing complications, and anaesthesia related complications. During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will provide detailed information about procedure specific risks, explain preventive measures and safety protocols, answer all questions about potential complications and provide you with all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Preparing for Your Surgery
All surgical procedures are teamwork between the surgeon and the patient. Just as a runner trains for a marathon, preparation is key for optimal recovery.
From the time you book the procedure ensure you maintain regular, gentle exercise, follow a balanced, nutritious diet, ensure adequate sleep and rest, and manage stress levels effectively. Alcohol consumption should be reduced and smoking stopped or minimised. If a patient feels prepared for surgery, they will arrive for their procedure feeling positive which in turn will reduce any anxiety and encourage stress free recovery.
The day before surgery, our dedicated pre-assessment nursing team will reconfirm your admission time, review fasting requirements, address any last minute questions and provide final preparation instructions.
Type of anaesthesia
Mini tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is performed under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA), a technique of anaesthesia which uses a combination of agents given exclusively via the intravenous route without the use of gas anaesthesia. This means you will sleep comfortably throughout the procedure and wake immediately afterwards with a significantly reduced likelihood of feeling groggy or nauseous. The anaesthesia will be explained to you by your Anaesthetist during the preoperative consultation.
Having surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) allows you to go home the same day to rest and recuperate. Alternatively, we are happy to arrange the procedure at a hospital with an overnight stay facility, organise a nurse to stay with you overnight, or assist with local accommodation arrangements. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss your anaesthesia options and aftercare support in detail during your consultation.
Recovery Guide
Mini tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising typically resolves within 10-20 days.
You will wear a soft, compression garment for 2-4 weeks to help with skin retraction, reduce swelling and support the healing process. Depending on the type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 7-10 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 4 weeks.
Aftercare Information
At your first post-operative appointment with the nurse, scheduled 2-3 days after surgery, incision sites will be reviewed and dressings changed. You will return for an appointment with the nurse at 14 days, at this point your incision sites will be reviewed again, stitches removed and initial healing will be assessed. At six weeks after surgery, Mr Olivier Amar will evaluate your overall healing and give you next steps to follow.
It is your responsibility to attend all scheduled appointments. Failing to attend appointments or follow post-operative instructions may impact your results and final outcome. Regular monitoring ensures optimal healing progression and early detection of complications. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss the post-operative schedule in detail during your consultation.
Scar Placement and Management
A mini tummy tuck scar size and positioning are similar to a caesarean section scar, discreetly concealed under swimwear and undergarments. As a leading London based cosmetic surgeon, Mr Olivier Amar specialises in advanced scar management and prevention techniques. Leading up to your surgery or as part of your post-surgical care, a scar management protocol may be initiated using steroid injections and silicone dressings. A treatment course of Aerolase Neo laser is recommended post-surgery.
The Aerolase Neo laser treatment offers significant benefits for scar improvement:
- Stimulates natural collagen production
- Reduces scar pigmentation
- Improves skin texture and appearance
- Softens scar tissue
- Promotes tissue remodelling
- Accelerates bruise healing
Maintaining your results
The initial results can be seen immediately after surgery. You can expect progressive improvement during healing, with natural skin retraction and continued body contouring refinement. The result of mini tummy tuck surgery can be best appreciated after 3-6 months. A combination of wearing the compression garment, dieting and exercise is key to a good result, however a good candidate for this procedure is someone who has realistic expectations and good overall health.
What does Mini Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery involve?
During mini tummy tuck surgery, a horizontal incision is made along the bikini line, positioned close to the pubic area. The incision size and positioning are similar to a caesarean section scar, ensuring the results remain discreet and easily concealed under swimwear and undergarments. When possible, if you have a previous C-section scar, Mr Olivier Amar can utilise this existing incision and often improve its appearance during the surgery. Excess skin and fat, along with any stretch marks will be removed from the lower abdominal area, then the remaining skin is carefully pulled tight and stitched into place.
Can other procedures be performed at the same time?
For comprehensive body contouring, some patients opt to combine procedures to address unwanted fat deposits, excess skin and autologous volume restoration simultaneously, achieving more harmonious, balanced results. Many patients combine their mini tummy tuck with treatments such as:
- Renuvion skin tightening to abdomen, thighs, flanks, upper back, arms and bra line. This innovative treatment removes unwanted fat deposits, tightens loose skin and boosts skin retraction, without the cutting of skin.
- Liposuction for targeted fat removal to create a more balanced, sculpted physique.
- Arm lift to create more proportionate, toned arm contours through liposuction and skin removal.
- Thigh lift to address excess skin and fat from the thigh area, creating a more contoured leg silhouette.
- Fat transfer to breasts or body for autologous volume enhancement and restoration.
- Fat transfer to face to add volume, recontour and restore volume to facial areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Mini Abdominoplasty differ from Full Abdominoplasty?
A mini abdominoplasty offers several advantages vs full abdominoplasty, including:
- Shorter recovery time compared to full tummy tuck
- Smaller, more discreet scarring limited to bikini line area
- Less invasive procedure
- Preserves belly button position and appearance
- Ideal solution for localised skin laxity in the lower abdominal region
How long does mini tummy tuck surgery take?
Mini tummy tuck surgery can take around 2 hours.
Am I suitable for mini tummy tuck surgery?
Ideal candidates for mini tummy tuck surgery are those who:
- Have loose skin below the navel due to pregnancy, weight loss or natural ageing
- Are in good overall health and close to their target weight, as this is not a weight loss procedure
- Have good skin elasticity in the treatment area
- Do not require muscle repair or tightening (diastasis recti)
- Want to address lower abdominal concerns without the scarring involved in full abdominoplasty surgery
What is mini tummy tuck surgery?
A mini tummy tuck, also known as mini abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess sagging skin from the lower abdomen. This minimally invasive option creates a smoother, firmer and more toned stomach appearance with significantly less scarring than a full tummy tuck procedure. Unlike traditional abdominoplasty, a mini tummy tuck focuses specifically on the area below the belly button, making it an ideal solution for patients with localised skin laxity in the lower abdominal region.
Does the belly button change shape after mini tummy tuck surgery?
During a mini tummy tuck, the original shape and position of the belly button is maintained.
What is the right timing for mini tummy tuck surgery post pregnancy?
For mini tummy tuck surgery post pregnancy, the ideal timing is typically after the first year. This period allows for weight loss and the settling of sagging and stretch marks.
Will I have to wear a garment after mini tummy tuck surgery?
To support recovery during the healing period and your overall result you may need to wear a soft, elastic, compression garment for between two and four weeks. The garment is easy to hide under clothes and helps with skin retraction and to reduce swelling as the surgical area is healing.
WHERE WILL THE INCISIONS BE POSITIONED?
A mini tummy tuck scar size and positioning are similar to a caesarean section scar, discreetly concealed under swimwear and undergarments.
Is mini tummy tuck surgery painful?
Mini tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising typically resolves within 10-20 days.
WHEN WILL I SEE THE RESULTS from SURGERY?
The initial results can be seen immediately after surgery. You can expect progressive improvement during healing, with natural skin retraction and continued body contouring refinement. The result of mini tummy tuck surgery can be best appreciated after 3-6 months. A combination of wearing the compression garment, dieting and exercise is key to a good result, however a good candidate for this procedure is someone who has realistic expectations and good overall health.
Can I combine a mini tummy tuck with liposuction?
Mr Olivier Amar can perform liposuction at the same to help remove stubborn fat and create a more balanced, sculpted physique. Helped by a powered assisted liposuction machine, superficial fat is removed in such a way as to ensure the skin retracts appropriately for a natural, smooth and toned appearance.
Meet Olivier Amar – Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
Mr Olivier Amar is a renowned London-based consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon specialising in face, breast and body surgery, advanced non-surgical facial rejuvenation, hair loss treatments and regenerative medicine. With over 15 years of experience, Mr Olivier Amar has earned a reputation among both patients and peers alike for transforming cosmetic surgery into an art form.
“Cosmetic surgery is a demanding profession and patient expectations are high. But I am a doctor first and a surgeon second. My only concern is the patient in front of me, fulfilling their needs and managing their expectations. My work is intense; it means everything to me and is my lifelong passion.”
Mr Amar’s commitment to precision and refinement extends through every aspect of patient care, from initial consultation to post-operative support. All treatments take place at his private practice in Chelsea, London. Working alongside Mr Amar is a highly skilled team of dedicated nurses, experienced anaesthetists from leading NHS and private hospitals, and specialised management staff. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive, world-class care for all patients.
How can I compliment my overall result?
Renuvion treatment
When fat removal is a priority and skin laxity is a concern, the combination of Renuvion J Plasma and liposuction gives great results.
read
Aerolase Neo laser treatment
Aerolase Neo laser treatment can be performed 4-6 weeks after surgery to support healing, to help flatten scars and reduce redness and thickness.
