Body contouring in Alicante
Correcting a limited excess of skin and fatty tissue in the lower abdomen, below the belly button, with a shorter scar than a full tummy tuck. Dr Navarro first assesses whether your case can be treated with this technique or needs a different one.
Anaesthesia
Local with sedation or general
Duration
1 to 2 hours
Hospital stay
Day case or one night
Compression garment
Around 4 weeks
Back to work
Around 1 to 2 weeks
Result
Gradual, from 3 to 6 months
Approximate figures. They are confirmed at your consultation for each case.
The technique
A mini tummy tuck (mini abdominoplasty) is a more limited version of the tummy tuck. It is designed for a limited excess of skin and fatty tissue in the lower abdomen, the area below the belly button, when the upper part is in good shape.
It is done through a low incision above the pubic area, shorter than that of a full tummy tuck and similar in length to a caesarean scar. Through it, the excess skin and fat are removed and, if needed, the muscles of the lower abdomen are reinforced. The belly button is not usually repositioned, and the procedure can be combined with liposuction of the area.
It does not correct excess skin above the belly button or diastasis that affects the whole abdomen. If that is your case, a mini tummy tuck will not be enough, and it is better to know this beforehand.
Suitability
If there is also excess skin above the belly button, if the muscles are separated along the whole abdomen or if the excess is large, a full tummy tuck is usually more appropriate. If the excess is only fat and the skin is firm, liposuction may be enough.
At your consultation, Dr Navarro will tell you clearly which of these options fits your case.
Before you decide
At your first consultation you are seen personally by Dr Navarro. The first step is to find out whether a mini tummy tuck is genuinely right for you or whether you need a different technique.
01
What bothers you about your abdomen, pregnancies, changes in weight and previous operations such as a caesarean section.
02
Exactly where the excess skin is, how much there is, what the fat is like and whether the muscles are separated above the belly button.
03
Whether a mini tummy tuck is enough or another technique would be better, what the scar will be like and what recovery will involve.
04
You take the information away in writing, with the quote and the risks. You can ask about anything you are unsure of before you decide.
On the day of surgery
Before
Pre-operative tests and an assessment by the anaesthetist. On the day of surgery, Dr Navarro marks the skin to be removed.
Start
It is carried out under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia, depending on the case. A low incision is made above the pubic area.
During
The excess skin and fat are removed and, if needed, the lower abdominal muscles are reinforced. Liposuction is sometimes added.
Finish
The wound is closed with internal stitches and a compression garment is fitted.
Afterwards
Days 1 to 3
Discomfort and tightness in the lower abdomen, controlled with the prescribed medication. You walk from the first day.
First week
Follow-up appointment at the clinic to check the wound. You keep wearing the compression garment as Dr Navarro advises.
Weeks 1 to 2
Many people return to work that is not physically demanding between the first and second week. Avoid lifting heavy objects.
Weeks 4 to 6
Sport is resumed little by little, depending on how you recover. If the muscles have been reinforced, abdominal exercise waits a little longer.
From 3 to 6 months
The swelling goes down gradually and the contour settles over a few months. The scar continues to improve for around a year.
Important information
Although it is a more limited procedure than a full tummy tuck, it still carries risks. They are uncommon, but it is important to know about them before you decide:
Dr Navarro will go through them with you at your consultation, and they will be set out in the informed consent form.
Common questions
A mini tummy tuck treats only the area below the belly button, with a shorter scar and usually without repositioning the belly button. A full tummy tuck treats the whole abdomen and allows diastasis to be corrected from top to bottom.
Low, above the pubic area, and similar in length to a caesarean scar. It sits under your underwear and usually fades over time.
Often, yes: the incision is planned at that level and the old scar can be removed along with the excess skin.
If the weakness is in the lower part, it can be treated during the same operation. If the muscles are separated along the whole abdomen, a full tummy tuck is usually recommended.
Depending on the case, local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia. Dr Navarro and the anaesthetist decide this with you.
It depends on your job, but if it is not physically demanding, it is usually between the first and second week.
The improvement can be seen from the start, but the swelling takes a few months to go. The contour has usually settled by 3 to 6 months.
It depends on each case and on whether it is combined with liposuction. The quote is confirmed after your first consultation.
Your surgeon
Plastic surgeon in Alicante, focused on facial, breast and body surgery. He sees you personally at the first consultation, during surgery and at every follow-up.
“Every procedure is unique. My commitment is to combine advanced technique with sound medical judgement, with one clear aim: natural results in harmony with your face and body.”
Clinic at Carrer de Velázquez, 2, 03560 El Campello (Alicante)
You may also be interested in
Removes excess abdominal skin and, when needed, repairs the abdominal wall.
Adds volume and shape to the buttocks using your own fat or implants.
