These days, it's not uncommon for people to counteract the ravages of aging with plastic surgery. Thousands go in for some type of minor plastic surgery to get rid of unwanted fat, wrinkles or blemishes. The only problem is that plastic surgery can be quite expensive. A tummy tuck can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. With many other things to consider, that can be a little costly.
The good news is that there's an alternative. It's called the "mini-tummy tuck." It is a quicker, easier and cheaper alternative for those patients who are eligible for it.
Is a Mini Tummy Tuck Right for You?
While the full procedure reduces fat all over the abdomen, the mini tummy tuck focuses on a particular area. Usually, this is the spot right under the belly button and right above the pubic bone. If you are in reasonable shape overall and have just a little pouch just south of your belly button, you may be eligible for this targeted procedure. For you, it means a shorter operation and lower cost.
Of course, it all depends on what your doctor says during the consultation. Go in for a free consultation to see if the procedure will benefit you.
How Much Does a Mini Tummy Tuck Cost?
The average cost of a mini tummy tuck is $2,000, although it may cost less or it may cost more. This price tag makes it one of the cheapest plastic surgery procedures available.
Exactly how much your surgery will run you depends on a variety of factors. You won't know for sure unless you go in for a consultation. However, it is very important to keep a few things in mind about the consultation. The price your plastic surgeon quotes you may or may not include extra fees. Some of these fees are for anesthesia, hospital time, tests and other charges. The surgeon's fee is usually anywhere from 60-80% of the overall cost, so if the price they quote you seems low, it may not include everything.
When you get a quote from your doctor, be sure you know what that charge does and doesn't include. Some other factors also influence your price. These include:
- Anesthesia. For most mini tummy tucks, plastic surgeons use local anesthesia. This means that you are semi-conscious during the operation. This brings the cost of anesthesia way down. Anesthesia that puts you totally out during the operation is more expensive.
- Operating facility. Mini tummy tucks are such small operations, that many plastic surgeons prefer to do them in the office. Others like to use a hospital for the operation. If you can have your mini tummy tuck done in the doctor's office, you can save on hospital fees.
- Recovery period. Make sure you follow your doctor's instructions during the recovery period. Side effects and complications during healing can mean return visits to the doctor, and that means more costs.
- Location. Prices vary from state to state, country to country, and even from one plastic surgeon to another in one city. If you are willing to travel to another state, you might be able to save.
- Accreditation. Doctors that are accredited charge more, and you should never go with an un-accredited doctor in order to save money. The risks are just too great. This is one area where it's worth it to pay a little more.
So, you don't have to beat yourself up to get rid of that pouch. Shop around. You may be able to get rid of that pesky little bubble of flab for a reasonable price!
Find out if a mini tummy tuck is for you
People who have a small amount of skin or fat to be removed are best suited to the mini tummy tuck procedure. Large excesses of skin and fat will require a major panniculectomy people with these problems should pursue this route and not a mini tummy tuck. Because the mini tummy tuck deals with the lower abdomen area, women that have weakened lower abs due to pregnancy receive the most benefit from this procedure. It is sometimes possible for the abdomen muscles to be tightened during a mini tummy tuck but the results are best during a full tummy tuck procedure.
A more contoured appearance of the lower abdomen is generally one of the benefits of a mini tummy tuck this is accomplished by manipulating the surplus skin and fat around the naval area.
People looking for minimal improvement are best suited to the less invasive mini tummy tuck procedure. Hospital outpatient surgery centers and surgeons surgical suites are both capable of carrying out the mini tummy tuck procedure. Normally the choice of anesthetic for the mini tummy tuck operation is a general anesthetic, but it is not uncommon for a local anesthetic to be used with sedation but decisions like this can be made during consultation with your surgeon.
The mini tummy tuck procedure should generally only take an hour or two; additional treatment may though involve a hospital stay depending on each individual case.
Mini tummy tuck patients will experience some bruising and swelling in the lower abdominal area after surgery, this is perfectly normal after this type of surgical procedure and any discomfort felt from this should ease after a few days. After your surgery you will be required to attend a number of checkup appointments to make sure you are progressing ok and to check that your stitches have dissolved. Bandages and protective garments will also be checked at these appointments. Orally taken pain medication will control any discomfort that is normally felt after the mini tummy tuck procedure.
The recovery time for mini tuck surgery can depend on each individual patient, in most cases patients can get back to normal within a few days of the procedure and a return to work within a few weeks is not out of the question. Vigorous exercise should be avoided soon after the procedure, but light exercise is recommended to aid the healing process. The majority of cases see most patients return to normal exercise activities after about a month. Be realistic about your tummy tuck and the results you expect to achieve from the procedure. And you won't be disappointed the tummy tuck procedure does normally deliver long lasting results especially if you take regular exercise and follow a balanced diet which can only improve your health in the long run.
Both Abigail Aaronson & Robert H are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Abigail Aaronson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Breast Enlargements, Tummy Tucks Before and After and Rhinoplasty. If you have a stubborn little belly pouch, you could be eligible for a mini tummy tuck. You can have a slimmer figure. If you're looking into a. Abigail Aaronson's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.