Publicado por Dr. Miguel Fernández Calderón: 23/01/2023
Both procedures aim to remove excess skin and tighten the muscles, seeking a flatter, more defined abdomen. However, there are some differences between an abdominoplasty and a mini abdominoplasty that we explain below.
Before, during and after a mini abdominoplasty
Given that it is a less well-known procedure than the traditional one, we are going to explain a little more about the process: what has to happen before a mini abdominoplasty, during surgery and in recovery.
Before undergoing any operation the patient must not smoke. If it is a habit, they should stop at least a month and a half before surgery.
In the case of a mini abdominoplasty, losing weight is recommended in order to guarantee better results.
The surgery requires a general anaesthetic. The size of the incision and how long the surgery takes will depend on the amount of skin and fat that has to be removed. It can take approximately an hour and a half.
After the operation you will not be able to drive or make any effort during the first week. So we advise you to have someone to support you at home.
You need to wear a compression garment for a month or a month and a half.
You will be able to do physical activity, such as walking, two weeks after surgery. From one month on you will be able to take up your usual exercise again, always with great care.
You can massage the scar once it has healed completely. This way its appearance will improve over time.
Differences between an abdominoplasty and a mini abdominoplasty
The abdominoplasty we commonly know is called a full abdominoplasty. This surgery is characterised by a large incision along the abdominal area, running from one hip to the other, above the pubic area.
Undergoing an abdominoplasty in Madrid allows you to remove all the hanging skin, repair the muscles and place the navel in a new position. This procedure can even improve the appearance of stretch marks.
The result is a flat, contoured abdomen. What is more, your skin will feel smoother and firmer.
A mini abdominoplasty involves a much shorter incision than that of a traditional abdominoplasty. It may measure approximately 20 centimetres. This length of cut allows a small amount of accumulated skin in the lower abdomen to be removed. And it does not touch the navel area at all.
Because the incision is shorter, it is not possible to make any improvement to the muscles and hanging skin of the upper abdomen.
In short, we can talk about three clear differences between the two procedures.
The first and biggest difference is their scope, since the abdominoplasty manages to remove large amounts of fat, skin and tissue from the abdominal area, both above and below the navel. The mini only focuses on the lower part of the abdomen, so its scope is smaller.
Second, the size of the scar. One is extensive and the other smaller. This factor is decisive for the amount of skin and fat that can be removed.
And finally, the navel. In a full abdominoplasty a lot of skin is cut away from the abdomen, and with it the navel is removed and then placed in a new position. In the case of a mini abdominoplasty the patient’s navel undergoes no change at all.
Which means they are used in different cases, depending on the patient’s characteristics.
Before undergoing a full abdominoplasty or a mini abdominoplasty it is important to know what can and cannot be achieved with both procedures. That way you have realistic expectations that guarantee the patient will be satisfied with the results.
Abdominoplasty or mini abdominoplasty: which is the right one?
Having explained the differences between the two procedures, we could say that a mini abdominoplasty is an alternative for those whose excess skin, separated muscles or fat deposits are located in the area below the navel.
The mini abdominoplasty is indicated for slim people, at a good body weight and with good muscle tone. They only have small amounts of excess skin or are looking to treat a previous scar, from a caesarean section, for example.
The candidate for a full abdominoplasty, on the other hand, is someone with a lot of excess skin, lax or separated muscles and a lot of accumulated fat. Generally, the excess is caused by significant weight loss that they have not been able to correct with diet and exercise. It can also be from several pregnancies that stretched the skin too far and then it did not go back into place.
The recommendation as to which of the procedures is the right one has to come from a professional, certified surgeon. They must first assess the patient physically, understand their needs and then set goals that result in a satisfied patient.
Why a mini abdominoplasty?
If you are a candidate for a mini abdominoplasty but you have a full abdominoplasty instead, you will be putting your body through unnecessary risk.
Abdominoplasty is fairly invasive surgery involving risks that, if you opt for a mini, are reduced by a high percentage.
Another reason to have a mini abdominoplasty, where you do not need to remove that much skin and fat, is the price to be paid. A full procedure does not cost the same as a mini.
And finally, recovery is also a different process between the two. With a mini abdominoplasty you will get back to your normal pace of life in a short time and will have a smaller scar. With traditional surgery, on the other hand, you will need to take more care and rest for longer during recovery.
So if you are thinking about surgery to reduce the size of your abdomen, the best thing to do is to book an appointment with your doctor and talk about the differences between an abdominoplasty and a mini abdominoplasty. It will be the specialist who, based on their experience and knowledge, decides which procedure will give the patient better results.
