Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery

Before you undergo any plastic surgery procedure at Karidis Clinic, you will have a consultation and a pre-operative assessment with your plastic surgeon. They will listen carefully to your concerns and what you expect to achieve and discuss which procedure, or combination of procedures, is appropriate.

At this stage, they will also ensure you are fully aware of the potential risks and complications inherent in that specific procedure and explain to you what you can expect immediately after surgery, throughout the recovery process, and when you will likely see the final results.

During the pre-operative assessment, the surgeon may take measurements of the area to be operated on and assess your skin tissue quality and the degree of skin laxity. The position of the incisions will also be decided upon.

A full medical history will be taken to ensure you are fit and well and can undergo surgery at this time.

After the initial consultation, there will be a two-week ‘cooling-off’ period before you can decide to proceed with surgery. You are welcome to return for further consultations with your Karidis Clinic surgeon, free of charge, if you have more questions.

If you make the decision to proceed with surgery, you’ll be given advice on how best to prepare for your operation, and you will have a dedicated Patient Coordinator who can answer any queries you may have.

Any pre-surgery tests can occur at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth, a leading London private hospital where Karidis Clinic is based. The hospital has recently built a new wing including a diagnostic department with the latest X-ray, MRI, CT and ultrasound technology.

We advise patients to stop smoking as soon as possible as nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor, which impedes the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the surgical site. This can slow down healing, increase the chance of infection and even cause tissue to die. Smoking also increases the risks of a general anaesthetic, and smokers are more likely to suffer ill effects from an anaesthetic.

You will also be advised when to discontinue taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medication in advance of your operation. You will be asked to fast six hours before surgery.

All Karidis Clinic procedures are performed at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted and taken to your stylish and luxurious private room with its spacious ensuite bathroom.

The nursing team will take your blood pressure and relevant vitals, and you will see your Karidis Clinic surgeon, who will make the final mark-ups. Our anaesthetist will also visit you.

Clinical photography will be taken to assist in your care and to enable clinical assessments to be made. These become part of your confidential medical record. These include photographs of the operation site and any distinguishing features and will be taken pre-op and post-op. 

Your procedure will be performed under a general anaesthetic, and once the surgeon has sutured the incision site, you will be taken to a specialist recovery room.

Once the hospital nursing team has ensured your recovery is complete, you will be taken to your hospital room for your overnight stay. The hospital nursing team will be on hand throughout the night, and you will be fitted with compression stockings and a compression device if required.

The following day, you will be visited by your Karidis Clinic surgeon or nurse and then discharged into the care of a friend or family member by the hospital nursing staff.

The pain and discomfort experienced after surgery are unique to the individual patient and the extent of their procedure. However, it should start to subside in the first week and should be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

If necessary, you’ll be advised to wear a specially designed surgical support garment for approximately six weeks after surgery to support you during the healing process.

Depending on the nature of your job, you can usually expect to be able to return to work and normal activities between one to two weeks.

You’ll be given a comprehensive plan for the recovery process, including dates for your cast or suture removal and your check-ups with your Karidis Clinic surgeon. However, we are always on hand throughout this period, and you have access to our dedicated surgical nurse 24/7 if you have any concerns.

If you have a small amount of excess skin and fat on your lower tummy, only below your tummy button, a mini tummy tuck could be the solution for you. You may have some ‘overhang’ on the lower tummy and your skin might be saggy or crinkly after weight loss. You should have little to no need for muscle separation repair or tummy button reshaping (that will need a regular tummy tuck).

A mini tummy tuck is ideal if you want to tighten up your lower stomach area, you want to improve a c-section scar or you have a little “pooch” or revise a previous caesarean scar.

You’ll need to be a stable weight and generally fit and healthy. A mini tummy tuck can provide great results for both men and women, but if women want long-term results, they need to wait to have the procedure done after their last pregnancy. To see if this procedure is right for you, give us a call to arrange a consultation

A mini tummy tuck addresses saggy skin, fatty tissue and lax muscles below your belly button whereas regular abdominoplasty is a solution for saggy skin over your whole abdomen. With a full tummy tuck, you’ll see more dramatic tummy tuck before and after results as it covers a larger area, but with a mini tummy tuck you’ll benefit from a smaller incision.

Generally, it’ll take around three to six months to see your new flat tummy. You’ll notice a difference immediately after tummy tuck surgery, but you’ll have to be patient to wait for the final result as your tummy will be swollen. Sometimes the swelling makes your tummy appear more protruded. Usually, it takes three to four months for your swelling to go down. It can even take up to a year for some to see the final result. But it will be worth the wait!

• Research your procedure so your expectations are realistic
• Stop taking medications and supplements under the advice of your surgeon
• Stop smoking — smoking can hinder your healing process
• Eat a healthy diet and keep hydrated
• Stock up on food and meals so you can rest when home

Your care is our top priority at Karidis Clinic — our whole team is here to support you physically and mentally. We’ll provide you with comprehensive aftercare instructions and are on hand to give advice whenever needed. You’ll also have access to the Karidis Clinic Patient Journey app. The app supports you throughout your recovery period (as well as how to prepare pre-surgery). It includes timings for all your aftercare appointments and tells you when to rest.

A compression garment will help to compress your tummy to reduce swelling and aid healing after your mini tummy tuck. You may have to sleep on an incline for the first few nights to reduce swelling. Try to keep moving gently to reduce your risk of blood clots in your legs, even if that’s just walking around your home.