Mini Abdominoplasty

A mini abdominoplasty, or shorter scar tummy tuck, removes a smaller amount of excess skin from the lower abdomen through a shorter incision. It suits people whose looseness is confined to the area below the umbilicus, with little or no separation of the abdominal muscles. It is a more limited operation than a full abdominoplasty and is not suitable when there is significant looseness above the umbilicus or a large muscle separation.

At your consultation, Dr Ricketts examines your abdomen, assesses your skin and whether your muscles have separated, and asks about your history, including pregnancies and weight change. She will tell you honestly whether a mini abdominoplasty will achieve what you want, or whether a full abdominoplasty would serve you better, because the shorter scar only helps if your looseness is limited to the lower abdomen.

The incision sits low at the top of the pubic hairline, in a similar position to a Caesarean scar, and is shorter than the scar used for a full or standard abdominoplasty. Through this access, Dr Ricketts removes the excess lower abdominal skin and tightens the area. The umbilicus is usually left in its own position rather than being repositioned, and muscle repair is limited or not needed. Because the operation is more contained, the recovery is generally shorter than a full abdominoplasty.

A mini abdominoplasty may suit you if you have a small amount of loose skin confined to the lower abdomen, good skin quality above the umbilicus, and little or no muscle separation, and if you are in reasonable general health at a stable weight. It is best to have finished having children, because pregnancy can stretch the skin again. Smoking increases the risk of healing problems, so stopping well before and after surgery is necessary. If your looseness extends above the umbilicus or your muscles have separated, a full abdominoplasty is usually the better option.

At your consultation, Dr Ricketts examines your abdomen and assesses your skin, fat and muscle, and asks about your history and your future plans. She then explains whether a mini or a full abdominoplasty suits you, the scar, the recovery and the risks, and whether liposuction would add to your result. She gives you written information and time to consider your decision.

A mini abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic, usually as a day case or with an overnight stay. On the day Dr Ricketts marks the area beforehand, and our team looks after you from admission through to recovery. You will go home in a compression garment with clear instructions, and it is best to have a support person with you.

You will wear a compression garment to support healing, and in the first one to two weeks you can expect to stand and walk slightly bent forward, with discomfort, swelling and bruising. Because the operation is more limited than a full abdominoplasty, recovery is generally a little shorter, though you will still need help at home in the early period.

Many people return to desk work at around two to three weeks, with longer for physical work. Gentle exercise such as walking can be resumed gradually, while more intensive exercise and heavy lifting are restricted for several weeks. The abdomen continues to settle over the following months, and the scar fades gradually over a year or so. Dr Ricketts will see you for reviews and guide you on activity. Healing varies between individuals, and the outcomes one person experiences do not necessarily reflect what another will experience.

Dr Sophie Ricketts is a specialist plastic surgeon based in Richmond, Melbourne, with a focused practice in body contouring surgery, including mini abdominoplasty (short scar tummy tuck). She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the peak professional bodies for plastic surgery in Australia. You can also find her on RealSelf. Each of these listings is maintained by independent organisations and provides patients with a straightforward way to check the qualifications, training, and scope of practice of the listed providers before booking a consultation.