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Young man with a mini tummy tuck

Mini Tummy Tuck

Sagging skin and excess fat around your midsection after weight loss can lower your self-esteem and feel discouraging. A mini tummy tuck from triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Yee can complete your weight loss journey. Learn how a mini tummy tuck at our Little Rock, AR, practice can get rid of stubborn fat and excess skin after you’ve lost weight.

Why Choose a Mini Tummy Tuck Instead of a Full Tummy Tuck

Mini Tummy Tuck diagram of skin elevated, skin removed, scar lines, and muscle repair.

A mini tummy and full tummy tuck have similar benefits when it comes to body contouring. Unlike a traditional tummy tuck that may include a long incision the length of one hip to another, the mini tummy version requires an incision that is about three to five inches long, right below the bikini line.

The results of a mini tummy tuck leave a smaller, less noticeable scar than a regular tummy tuck. If you've reached your ideal weight and need to remove a moderate amount of excess skin and fat, the mini tummy version of the surgery may be right for you.

Dr. Yee is Certified By Multiple Boards Contact Her Little Rock, AR, Plastic Surgery Practice Today 

Having a triple board-certified plastic surgeon can help put your mind at ease when it comes to mini-abdominoplasty.

Dr. Suzanne Yee is board certified by:

  • The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
  • The American Board of Otolaryngology
  • The American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Dr. Yee prides herself on her honesty and her ability to make patients feel comfortable about their decision to undergo cosmetic procedures. If you're ready for a leaner, toned abdomen, send our practice a message or call:

Dr. Suzanne Yee Office interior

"I Am Extremely Happy With the Results" 

Visited with Dr. Yee about cosmetic surgery and elected to have a procedure. I am extremely happy with the results. Dr. Yee and her staff were very professional and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire process. She has created a very customer-centric business that operates like clockwork. Everything was explained, timetables were met, goals were achieved and follow-up has been fantastic. They do all that and still make you feel like you have been a customer for years.
 
Scott Hastings

Who Is a Mini Tummy Tuck For?

A mini tummy tuck (or mini abdominoplasty) is usually recommended for those who have sagging skin but is not enough to necessitate a full tummy tuck (or standard abdominoplasty).

During your consultation at our Little Rock, AR, office, Dr. Yee will assess your overall health to see if the mini tummy surgery is right for you. Factors considered in your candidacy include:

  • Excessive skin of the lower abdomen
  • Fatty deposits below the navel
  • No future pregnancies planned
  • Weight loss goal has been reached and is sustainable
  • Overall good health

Benefits of a Mini Tummy Tuck

Less Scarring

A mini tummy tuck requires a smaller incision to access your lower abdominal area, leaving a smaller scar than a standard tummy tuck. This smaller scar is much easier to hide.

Faster Recovery

Since a mini tummy tuck involves a smaller incision than a traditional tummy tuck, there is a shorter recovery period. Most patients are able to return to work within one to three weeks after surgery. 

Enhanced Figure

Patients will have a tighter waistline after the swelling has faded. With less excess skin and fat, your slimmer figure should give you greater confidence when wearing pool or beach attire. Combining a mini tummy tuck with liposuction can help achieve comprehensive results.

Mini Tummy Tuck Timeline At Our Little Rock, AR, Facility

A typical mini tummy tuck surgery lasts around 1-2 hours.
A typical mini tummy tuck surgery lasts around 1-2 hours.

Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Yee will review your medical history and health goals to make sure a mini tummy tuck is right for you. She will also review if your surgery will benefit from additional body contouring procedures like liposuction.

Anesthesia

Patients are administered anesthesia to make the surgery more comfortable and prevent feelings of distress or anxiety.

Surgery

Dr. Yee will make a horizontal incision below the bikini line, allowing her to trim excess skin and remove fat. The incision is sutured afterward.

Recovery

A mini tummy tuck surgery lasts 1-2 hours. As an outpatient procedure, you can return home to recover after resting shortly in our office.

Chose an Award Winning Surgeon For Your Plastic Surgery in Little Rock, AR

When undergoing a mini tummy tuck, it’s important to pick a plastic surgeon with a record of successful results. For the past decade, Dr. Suzanne Yee has received numerous awards as a doctor and businesswoman here in Little Rock. In 2021 alone, Dr. Yee was awarded:

  • "Top Doc" by the Arkansas Times
  • "Best Of" recipient by About You Magazine
  • "Most Admired Business" by Arkansas Money & Politics Magazine

Since 2004, Dr. Yee has consistently received awards at the state and national levels for her work as a cosmetic surgeon. Experience her award-winning work yourself. Contact our office to set up an appointment or call her today at:

Dr. Suzanne Yee with patient

"Highly Recommended" 

So happy with my results! Dr. Yee was very professional and gave great advice. The surgery went super well, and she was supportive throughout the process. Would highly recommend Dr. Yee, and will personally revisit her! Thanks to Dr. Yee and her staff, I had a successful surgery and fantastic results. Thanks again! Brittany Allen

Side Effects After Mini Tummy Tuck

Patients experience the following side effects up to a week after surgery:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Numbness
  • Itchy or tight feeling

Dr. Yee can prescribe pain medication to manage discomfort. Staying hydrated and eating a low-sodium diet can help reduce swelling. Feelings of itchiness and numbness should subside as the nerves heal in the months following surgery.

Maintaining Your Results

A mini tummy tuck can eliminate excess skin and flatten your abdomen. However, substantial weight gain or becoming pregnant after surgery could affect the results. Here are recommendations to maintain your mini tummy tuck results:

Keep a Healthy Diet

Eating leafy greens, lean proteins, beans, and whole grains can help prevent weight gain. Avoiding refined or simple carbs. Drinking water will also help you stay in a healthy weight range.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. At minimum, try to get 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week.

Finished Having Children

Dr. Yee always recommends that female patients wait to have a mini tummy tuck until they are done having children. If women become pregnant after the procedure, it can stretch the skin and move abdominal muscles, reversing the results of the surgery. 

Minimize Scarring

Though the scar from a mini tummy tuck is concealable with clothing, there are additional things you can do to minimize its appearance. Covering the scar from sun exposure will prevent the scar from becoming thicker and darker. Use skin products after scars have healed to keep them lighter and thinner.

If You're Not a Candidate for a Mini Tummy Tuck Consider a Fully Tummy Tuck

If you're not qualified for a mini tummy tuck, ask Dr. Yee about a full tummy tuck. An abdominoplasty can address the following after major weight loss or pregnancy:

  • Sagging or excess skin
  • Stubborn fat
  • Stretched or displaced belly button
  • Loose or separated abdominal muscles

Revising your abdominal muscles, reshaping the belly button, and tightening wrinkled skin will give you a more toned appearance.

The full abdominoplasty requires a longer horizontal incision than the mini version, placed between the hip bones.

Do I Need Liposuction?

Liposuction is not always necessary for a mini tummy tuck. Combining the two procedures can provide great benefits for the right patient. Combining a mini tummy tuck with liposuction can help flatten your abdomen while targeting excess fat around your hips and love handles.

Many of the requirements for a mini tummy tuck crossover into the medical criteria needed for liposuction. Good candidates for liposuction must be within 30 percent of their ideal body weight, have good overall health, and have sufficient skin elasticity.

During a consultation at her Little Rock, AR, facility, Dr. Yee can review your health history and discuss combining liposuction with a mini or full abdominoplasty.

Woman in white underwear

"A Great Experience"

I had a great experience with Dr. Yee and her staff. Always feel comfortable in my office visits. Very friendly and professional. Life changing results from my procedures. Mindy Myers

Read the full review on Google

Dr. Suzanne Yee

Suzanne Yee, MD

Dr. Suzanne Yee is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon in Little Rock, AR, who offers a wide variety of surgical and non-invasive treatments. Dr. Yee is affiliated with several prestigious organizations. Her memberships include:

  • Fellow of American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
  • Fellow of American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
  • Fellow of American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Fellow of American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
  • Fellow of American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

To schedule a consultation at our state-of-the-art surgical center, please contact us online or call (501) 224-1044.

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