Mini Tummy Tuck in Baltimore, MD

Baltimore plastic surgeon, Dr. Janet Woodyard, is an experienced body contouring surgeon and offers abdominoplasty for men and women who desire a more toned abdomen. Sometimes, regardless of how much exercise and dieting a person does, a persistent “pooch” can still appear in the lower stomach. This pooch usually contains a combination of loose skin and pockets of fat that is common among women who have given birth, and both men and women due to the natural aging process. Not all patients are candidates for a full tummy tuck, which is good news to hear during the consultation. Instead, patients that have good skin tone with some loose skin and moderate abdominal stretch may only need a mini tummy tuck. This is a less invasive abdominoplasty procedure that uses a smaller incision and has an easier recovery. It produces outstanding, lasting results for our patients.

A mini tummy tuck is an effective solution for those struggling with a lower abdominal "pooch" that diet and exercise alone cannot resolve. This procedure boasts several advantages, including:

• Smaller incision
• Targeted skin tightening
• Quicker recovery time
• Improved abdominal contour
• No repositioning of the belly button
• Can be combined with liposuction

With a mini tummy tuck, patients can achieve a more defined and aesthetically pleasing abdominal profile, contributing significantly to their overall body image and self-confidence.

Techniques of both full abdominoplasty and mini tummy tuck can be very similar. However , a smaller incision may be used with the mini tummy tuck as a smaller area is treated. Sometimes it also depends on the amount of loose skin that will be removed. Liposuction may be used with this surgery. During the procedure, excess skin is removed and the remaining skin and underlying tissues are pulled tight. The result is a flat and more toned belly. The belly button is unaffected with this surgery because it typically does not need to be repositioned. The scar is usually limited to the lower abdomen and mostly hidden beneath undergarments and swimwear. 

A mini tummy tuck is performed in an accredited surgical facility, under general anesthesia. The surgery typically takes between 1-2 hours. Patients are released from the hospital following this surgery. The recovery period can take 6-8 weeks; this is the clearance normally given to resume with strenuous activities and exercise. Patients report high satisfaction of their surgical  results and love having a well-shaped, tighter abdomen. Results after a mini tummy tuck are permanent. However, pregnancy or unnecessary weight gain will compromise the results so it’s best to maintain a proper diet and regular exercise.

Patients who are candidates for a mini tummy tuck may also be candidates for liposuction as an isolated procedure. If loose skin is involved, however, liposuction will not be able to treat this. Liposuction is reserved for fat removal only. The only way to address loose skin is through a skin tightening procedure. A thorough assessment will be conducted during the initial consultation and the appropriate treatment plan recommended.

The mini tummy tuck procedure can be done even if a patient has an existing C-section scar. Typically, the incision made with a mini tummy tuck will be made just below the C-section scar. With this new incision, the loose skin is removed. The area will be pulled tight combining the two incisions into one. This new incision line usually heals nicely and often can be concealed under bathing suits and undergarments.

We would advise a patient to delay the mini tummy tuck surgery if there are still plans of having children. This kind of treatment should take place after all pregnancies have been completed. The goal of any tummy tuck procedure is to tighten the abdominal wall. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck can compromise the surgical results.