Mini-Tummy Tuck
Conveniently located to serve St. Louis, Missouri
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This procedure in St. Louis, Missouri, is ideal for patients that have extra skin and/or fat below their belly button but not above. Patients at their ideal body weight who have lost skin elasticity from childbirth are excellent candidates. During the procedure, Dr. Cabbabe removes the extra skin and fat from below the belly button and tightens the muscles of the lower abdomen to improve the contour. Liposuction is incorporated as needed. As opposed to a full tummy tuck/abdominoplasty, the belly button/umbilicus is not relocated and the upper abdominal muscles are not tightened. The scar is usually shorter, within the hip bone to hip bone, and concealed below undergarments.
Dr. Cabbabe incorporates his experience with reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the body to give his patients the best results possible to meet their desires. He is an expert in cosmetic, reconstructive, and minimally invasive body surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Cabbabe will carefully examine you and will make recommendations in order to help you achieve your desired result.
Prior to Surgery
Dr. Cabbabe requests that all patients take iron (ferrous sulfate) supplementation, approximately 300 mg three times a day, for 3 weeks prior to surgery. This helps patients increase their red blood cell counts prior to surgery and makes recovery much smoother for patients.
Do NOT take any aspirin, Plavix, or ibuprofen at least 10 days prior to surgery. Coumadin or any other type of blood thinner prior to surgery. Dr. Cabbabe may also recommend that you stop any hormones or oral contraceptives to reduce the risk of blood clots in the legs around the time of surgery.
It is helpful to have a recliner to sleep on for the first week or two when you transition to a bed. Extra compression garments, including FAJA’s in different sizes, are helpful as your size will decrease after the swelling goes down. Female urination devices can be purchased on Amazon to be used while garments are worn.
Eat a healthy diet and avoid alcohol at least 48 hours prior to surgery to maintain hydration around the time of your procedure. Nicotine usage leads to a well-known higher rate of complications including infection and should be stopped at a minimum of 3 weeks prior. Take this as an opportunity to quit smoking forever to enjoy the health benefits long-term as well as improved skin texture with less wrinkling.
Before & After Gallery
View before-and-after pictures of real patients of Cabbabe Plastic Surgery
Surgery
Prior to surgery, Dr. Cabbabe will place markings on the abdomen and any planned areas of liposuction. Nerve blocks may be done by the anesthesiologist to minimize pain after surgery. Numbing solution is used to minimize blood loss and assist with pain control.
Skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen while keeping the scar as low as possible, concealed within the undergarments. The rectus (“six-pack”) muscles are tightened together below the belly button with sutures in order to flatten, sculpt and restore the abdomen to a more youthful appearance. Liposuction sculpting is done in the center and along the sides, as needed to enhance the final result.
Sutures are used internally to minimize the need for drains. In select patients, no drains are needed. In other patients, 2 drains are placed inside the abdomen and removed within 1-2 weeks.
Your Mini-Tummy Tuck will be performed in a hospital or surgery center in St. Louis, MO.
Recovery
If this procedure in St. Louis, Missouri, is done by itself, most patients are able to go home the same day. Pain medication and antibiotics will be prescribed. There may be some numbness on the abdomen which slowly improves with time. Most patients are able to shower within 24 hours. If drains are placed, they are generally removed within 1-2 weeks of surgery. Recovery time is approximately 2 weeks. Dr. Cabbabe will ask you to wear compression garments for 2 weeks after surgery to help minimize swelling and maximize your result.
I’m … loving the results!
“I cannot say enough about Dr. Cabbabe and his staff. They are so friendly and caring. Dr. Cabbabe is a wonderful surgeon! He listened to what I wanted and shared his recommendations. He helped me to get the body I wanted after 8 pregnancies. I’m just a week out of my breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tuck and already loving the results! If you’re looking to get any cosmetic surgery, I highly recommend Dr. Cabbabe.”
– C.H.
Complications
Heavier patients (BMI >30) experience more complications. If your BMI is greater than 35, Dr. Cabbabe may not recommend surgery. Complications include bleeding after surgery, and fluid collections which may result in infection, thickened scars, skin necrosis, asymmetries and blood clots. These may require additional procedures to correct.
Dr. Cabbabe takes measures to prevent complications including appropriate use of antibiotics and drains to prevent infections, leg sequential devices to prevent blood clots in the legs, and careful tissue handling to prevent skin necrosis. Board-certified anesthesiologists are used for all of his surgeries.
How Much Does Mini-Tummy Tuck Cost?
The cost of a Mini-Tummy Tuck in St. Louis, Missouri, will depend on several factors. The price can be affected by body type, type of technique performed, surgical complications, and even allergies. Find out more by scheduling a consultation.
Schedule a Consultation
As one of the most well-regarded plastic surgeons performing Mini-Tummy Tuck in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Cabbabe is here to answer all your questions about Mini-Tummy Tuck. To confirm whether you are an ideal candidate for Mini-Tummy Tuck, contact us today to schedule your in-person consultation.
Your Mini-Tummy Tuck will be performed in a hospital or surgery center in St. Louis, MO.
