Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

In the past, for all of its potential to transform, there was no getting around the long weeks of recovery that a tummy tuck requires. But that’s finally changing.

Recent advances have enabled new variations of the tummy tuck to be more efficient and easier to recover from while still effectively reshaping the midsection.

The mini tummy tuck and the drainless tummy tuck are two such advancements. Let’s take a closer look at them.

The mini tummy tuck

While there’s no universal definition for the mini tummy tuck, the procedure is used most commonly to remove loose skin from below the belly button. A mini tummy tuck scar is about half the size of one from a full tummy tuck, and it can be placed lower on the pubic bone so it’s less likely to be seen above a bikini line.

The mini tummy tuck can tighten the look of the lower belly, making it the ideal solution for women with a small but persistent pooch. It also affords more flexibility than the full tummy tuck, which is a procedure best performed once. The mini tummy tuck can be updated or even repeated, which makes it an option between pregnancies.

Generally, you’ll want to take it easy for a week to two weeks after the mini tummy tuck. By that point, the bruising and swelling should have subsided enough to allow you to return to work, but it may be another week or two before you’ll want to attempt anything strenuous.

The drainless tuck

Drains play a key role in a full tummy tuck, helping to rid the body of natural fluid buildup. They can, however, be a major inconvenience during the recovery process. And they come with their own set of risks.

The drainless tummy tuck basically combines liposuction with a full tummy tuck using a particular suturing technique that eliminates the needs for the drains. Liposuction is used to remove stubborn fat from isolated areas of the abdominal area, which tones and sculpts abdominal contours while minimizing the amount of surgical intervention that’s needed.

From there, an incision is made along the abdomen, through which the plastic surgeon can remove loose skin and tighten muscle tissue. The surgeon then uses a technique called progressive tension sutures to secure the abdominal skin to the underlying tissue layers. That creates a tighter bond, leaving little room for fluid build-up.

You should be able to return to work and light physical activity within a week or two of the surgery. And gradually, over the next several weeks, you’ll start to notice improvements in your body contours. In all, it’ll take about six to eight weeks for the final results to become visible.

No doubt you’ve heard about breast implants. And, if you’ve ever spent a few minutes Googling them, you also probably have a pretty good idea about what the procedure entails.

A breast lift may be less clear. Breast lift and breast augmentation (implant surgery) tend to be used interchangeably when, really, they’re two distinct procedures. The augmentation gets all the attention, but breast lift surgeries are outpacing implant surgeries by two to one, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. So, clearly, there’s value in understanding the difference.

What’s a breast augmentation?

Just to make sure we’re starting on the same page, a breast augmentation refers to a breast implant surgery. They’re one in the same. It’s a cosmetic procedure where a silicone or saline implant is placed into the breast to enhance its size, shape, and volume.

Check out my earlier blog post for a more detailed description of the procedure and the differences between the two kinds of implants. But, for our purpose here, I’m going to keep this to more of a general overview. Like I said, most of us already have a pretty good running knowledge of breast augmentation.

While it remains popular among women who simply want to increase the overall size of their breasts, implants have helped with a much wider range of concerns over recent years, from correcting asymmetry and volume disparities to restoring fullness following pregnancy and significant weight loss to reconstructing a natural-looking breast following a mastectomy.

What’s a breast lift?

With a breast lift, the surgeon removes excess, stretched-out skin, reshapes the breast tissue, and raises the nipple and areola to a more forward position, creating a more youthful contour. The procedure doesn’t add volume, but it does make the breasts look firmer, perkier, and more youthful.

Women commonly have a breast lift following pregnancy and breastfeeding, or a significant weight-loss. We’re also seeing a growing number of women come forward who’ve had drooping or asymmetrical breasts since their teens. A lift can correct such an imbalance.

A breast lift is typically performed as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia or local anesthesia and IV sedation. It takes about an hour or two. Afterward, most patients experience some soreness and swelling. They’re usually fit to return to work within a few days, as long as it isn’t too physically demanding, and to most normal activities within a week.

There’s no halting the aging process, but a breast lift (plus proper care) is capable of providing many years of perkier, more youthful breasts.

Can I have both?

Yes. In fact, it’s becoming pretty common to combine a lift with an augmentation.

Women who have had children generally benefit the most from the combined surgery because of the toll pregnancy and breastfeeding take on their bodies. Though, there’s a big upside for any woman who wants to boost the fullness and perkiness of her breasts to any degree. Talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon to learn more about how you could benefit.