Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck, or mini abdominoplasty, is a less invasive version of the full tummy tuck; it is suitable for women or men with good muscle tone who want to rid themselves of the bulge of fat below the waistline. Since the procedure involves skin-tightening surgical techniques, it is most beneficial for patients with post-pregnancy abdominal sagging or lax skin from significant weight loss. Patients typically heal faster from a mini tummy tuck since it involves shorter incisions and does not require abdominal muscle suturing. The remaining scar is hidden just above the pubic area, so it won’t be noticeable even in a bathing suit. 

If it sounds like the mini abdominoplasty is right for you, consider booking a consultation with Dr. Sean Younai at one of his office locations in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood, CA. As a board-certified tummy tuck specialist with nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Younai’s consultations are over an hour long and take into account your unique cosmetic and health needs. To get started today, call (310) 275-1971 or reach out via his contact form, and a staff member from his office will get back to you promptly. 

Before and After Photos

View More Photos

About Abdominal Laxity and Fat 

Belly fat is extremely common, even in those with a normal BMI. Sometimes, only genetics and/or hormones are to blame if you are within a normal weight range and have tried diet and exercise. For others, the aging process may be contributing significantly to belly fat development. 

Somewhere around middle age, people can begin to experience skin laxity, especially around the midsection. The laxity can develop as a result of collagen and elastin degradation, important connective fibers that maintain skin structure and tightness. ⁽¹⁾  As a result, the skin on the abdomen- and many other places on the body- can look and feel stretchier, more wrinkled, and aged. When the fat in your abdomen expands and atrophies due to weight gain and loss, it can place more stress on these connective fibers and accelerate laxity even more. As abdominal skin begins to lose rigidity, it can cause any fat deposits to bulge outward, giving your belly the look of an unwanted “pooch”. A mini tummy tuck is designed to restore a more athletic-looking and toned figure, improving your sense of body confidence and overall well-being. ⁽²⁾ 

Benefits of the Mini Tummy Tuck 

This variation of the tummy tuck has a distinct advantage over other body-sculpting procedures: 

Candidates for a Mini Tummy Tuck

Dr. Younai examines each patient to determine the least invasive method he needs to use to achieve the look that the patient is striving for. In patients with minimal excess skin and strong abdominal muscles, a mini tummy tuck will be sufficient. Patients with significant excess skin and who have a condition called diastasis recti, or separation of the abdominal muscles, will require a full tummy tuck. Ideal candidates are non-smoking individuals at a stable weight without any underlying conditions that could compromise their recovery. Dr. Younai will consider smokers who are willing to quit temporarily to allow their bodies to heal optimally. 

Personal Consultation

Dr. Younai’s consultations are comprehensive and will cover all aspects of the procedure. He will review your medical history, determine your eligibility for the procedure, and weigh out the pros and cons of alternative options you may have. Dr. Younai will help you make a well-educated decision and answer any lingering questions you may have. He will go over thorough preparation and recovery instructions to ensure you have a positive experience before and after your tummy tuck. 

If you feel ready to take the next step, get in touch with his office in either West Hollywood or Beverly Hills, CA by calling (310) 275-1971 or by requesting a consultation online. Dr. Younai is ready to help you become the best version of yourself. 

How to Prepare for the Mini Tummy Tuck 

Before your procedure, you should work to maintain your weight which should be close to, or at, your ideal weight. If you smoke, Dr. Younai will instruct you to stop for at least a few weeks both before and after your procedure. Cigarettes and other nicotine products can constrict blood vessels, leading to a slower recovery and a higher chance of developing complications. 

Dr. Younai will also take a look at your current medications and determine which ones are unsafe to take. Anti-inflammatory and blood thinners can place you at a higher risk of unwanted bleeding during the procedure and/or excessive bruising. Sometime before your surgery appointment, you should stock up on any OTC medications that will be safe to take during your recovery period, gauze pads to keep your incision clean, and ice packs to help reduce swelling. Since a mini tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure, you should make a plan for someone to pick you up and take you home after the procedure is finished. 

Procedure Steps 

First, Dr. Younai will administer IV sedation so that you will be completely calm and comfortable, but awake. If he decides to include liposuction with your mini tummy tuck, he will perform liposuction first. After administering local anesthesia, he will make an incision of only a few millimeters so that he can inject tumescent fluid. This fluid will make the fat dense which will prepare it for removal, but it will also serve to constrict blood vessels to prevent bleeding and provide more numbing to the area. Next, Dr. Younai will use the same tiny incision to insert a cannula, a very thin instrument that will strategically suction the fat deposits of the lower abdomen. Once he finishes suctioning, he will use surgical tape to close the incision- sutures are not required for liposuction. 

For the tummy tuck portion of the procedure, he will make the pubic area horizontal incision to access the fat layer just under the skin. He will remove fat with surgical excision, and he will redrape the skin to a tighter position. Finally, he will close the small incision with sutures that will eventually dissolve as the abdomen heals. 

Benefits of Liposuction-Assisted Abdominoplasty 

Though not all mini tummy tucks require liposuction, some unique benefits could contribute to better results and a faster recovery. Liposuction creates a surgical “safe zone” in which more vital blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves are exposed, allowing the surgeon to precisely avoid damaging these structures. This also supports a richer blood supply to the skin. ⁽³⁾

Recovery and Aftercare 

Dr. Younai and his team will work to completely support you during this period. Any questions or concerns that you may have are fully and quickly answered. Though you may be tender and have some bruising, Dr. Younai’s prescriptions will keep you comfortable during the first few days. He will also prescribe a compression garment that will keep the swelling at bay. Within a few days, most patients switch to taking doctor-approved OTC medications to combat any discomfort. 

It’s important to walk around once you feel well enough to get your blood circulating properly and prevent the risk of blood clots. To further minimize swelling, you should try to follow a healthy, low-sodium diet. You will be able to get back to normal daily activities such as driving and working in about 10 to 14 days, so long as it does not involve over-exerting yourself. You will be able to resume your workout routine after about 6 to 8 weeks, so long as you get approval from Dr. Younai. 

Corresponding and Complementary Procedures 

Tummy Tuck Revision 

With tummy tuck revisions, there is often just one chance to get it right. Dr. Younai has become the ‘go-to’ surgeon for Los Angeles patients who are not satisfied with the results of their initial surgery. He utilizes advanced surgical techniques to correct a wide variety of issues related to healing or cosmetic imperfections. For example, no one can predict how wounds will heal for any individual patient. Sometimes, scars do not heal well despite implementing skillful surgical practices and/or proper patient care. Dr. Younai can often lower the scar to a location where it is less visible. He also comes across patients who develop abdominal bulging from muscle separation or incomplete repair during the first surgery. For these cases, Dr. Younai will tighten the vertical rectus muscle and remove residual fat deposits, if needed. Finally, he can resolve healing complications caused by nicotine, a vasoconstrictor that often limits quality blood flow to surgical areas. Without an adequate blood supply to the navel and other areas of the midsection, the abdominal wall skin can die. Dr. Younai can revise and repair these areas during a tummy tuck revision. 

Cost of a Mini Tummy Tuck in Los Angeles 

The cost of your mini tummy tuck will depend on anesthesia costs, whether or not liposuction is included, follow-up appointments, prescriptions, and other surgical fees. If you are interested in exploring financing options, Dr. Younai offers CareCredit to patients who wish to make affordable payments to cover the cost of their procedure. During your first meeting with Dr. Younai, he will give you a total cost estimate, taking into consideration all of these factors. If you believe you may be an ideal candidate for the mini tummy tuck, contact his location in West Hollywood or Beverly Hills by dialing (310) 275-1971, or submit your request online. We also offer virtual consultations for those who would like to meet with Dr. Younai from the convenience of their own home; a member of Dr. Younai’s team will get back to you within 24 hours of your inquiry. 

References

1. Rousseaux I, Robson S. Body Contouring and Skin Tightening Using a Unique Novel Multisource Radiofrequency Energy Delivery Method. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(4):24-29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5404777/ 
2. Saariniemi KMM, Salmi AM, Peltoniemi HH, Helle MH, Charpentier P, Kuokkanen HOM. Abdominoplasty Improves Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Eating Disorder Symptoms: A Prospective Study. Plastic Surgery International. 2014;2014:197232. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/197232  
3. Brauman D, van der Hulst RRWJ, van der Lei B. Liposuction Assisted Abdominoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2018;6(9):e1940. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000001940