Post pregnancy... Mini tummy tuck or a complete Tummy tuck?
Most women expect their stomachs to zip back into shape after their baby is born. Unfortunately, this rarely happens on its own - no matter what top models and Hollywood stars say! Invariably your skin will remain a bit stretched and slack. On one end of the spectrum, exercise will help a lot to tone your abdominal muscles and if all else fails, there's always the option of a mini tummy tuck for that stubborn slack, flabby skin.
 
Before After
Surgery, specifically a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) will invariably remove stretch marks below your navel and along the sides of your stomach. However, that tummy tuck surgery is specifically aimed at removing flabby skin that will not respond to exercise and diet, points out Johannesburg plastic surgery, Vive Clinic. The removal of stretch marks is more of an added benefit than a reason to undergo abdominoplasty in the first place.
Depending on the extent of the excess skin and fat to be removed, your surgeon may opt for either a “complete abdominoplasty” or a “mini abdominoplasty”.
The complete tummy tuck
The complete tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is designed to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin and fat.
Complete abdominoplasty will require general anaesthetic and you will need to stay over night in hospital after the surgery. With a complete abdominoplasty, you'll probably be back at work within seven to 10 days, although you'll need to avoid anything too strenuous for at least four to six weeks and a tummy tuck means you won't be able to pick your baby up for a while.
 
Before After
It’s also not painless...expect to be sore and bruised for a while after the op.
It is possible to perform an abdominoplasty at the same time as another intra-abdominal procedure, such as a tubal ligation (induce women's infertility) says Vive Clinic, although he prefers not to. He also advises against combining an abdominoplasty with a Caesarean-section.
A mini abdominoplasty (skin tightening only) can be performed under a local anaesthetic and once you're fully awake you'll usually be able to go home, although you will probably need to return to the hospital the following morning for a check-up.
The mini tummy tuck requires a shorter recovery time and is most suitable for women who are back to their goal weight, who suffer from lax skin only, while their muscles are still toned and firm.
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