Should I Get a Mini Tummy Tuck or Full Tuck After Pregnancy?

Tummy Tuck after PregnancyAs a leading Sacramento plastic surgeon, Dr. Donald Hause often meets with mothers who seek to restore their pre-pregnancy bodies. Among their aesthetic concerns is stubborn fat and skin that create an unflattering, flabby stomach. For these women, Dr. Hause offers tummy tuck surgery, a body contouring procedure designed to sculpt and tone the abdominal area. Dr. Hause is also skilled in the mini tummy tuck procedure, a variation of the traditional tummy tuck. In this blog post, Dr. Hause discusses what each procedure entails and shares his thoughts about which one is best after pregnancy.

About Full Tummy Tuck

Traditional full tummy tuck removes surplus fat from the patient’s entire midsection for a sleeker, firmer abdomen. The procedure also tightens and repairs damaged or weakened abdominal muscles. This is beneficial to mothers whose muscles have separated or stretched during pregnancy.

During the procedure, Dr. Hause makes a horizontal incision right above the pubic area, from hipbone to hipbone. He repairs the weakened or separated abdominal muscles by suturing them into their rightful place. Next, he removes excess fat and skin and retightens the remaining abdominal skin. In some cases, Dr. Hause may reposition the belly button higher on the abdomen through an additional incision.

Dr. Hause typically recommends the full tummy tuck procedure for women with a great amount of skin and tissue on the upper and lower abdomen.

About Mini Tummy Tuck

Mini tummy tuck is performed through a shorter incision and targets the skin and fat on the area below the belly button. The procedure does not address the area above the belly button, nor can it improve the entire abdominal wall. Dr. Hause recommends the mini tummy tuck to patients whose aesthetic concerns are confined to the area below the navel (typically the minority of tummy tuck candidates).

Final Thoughts

Many mothers benefit from the full tummy tuck procedure because it allows for more substantial skin removal and tightening, and the repair of the entire abdominal wall. Other women who do not need extensive correction following pregnancy find that the mini tummy tuck is enough to fulfill their aesthetic goals.

The best procedure for you will ultimately depend on your needs and your anatomy. During your initial consultation, Dr. Hause will examine your abdominal area and discuss your aesthetic concerns with you to design the most comprehensive treatment plan that best achieves your goals.

If you would like to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Hause, contact Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery. Please call (916) 646-6869 today.

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