WHAT IS SURGERY LIKE?

When you come in for your mini tummy tuck in Bellevue, you can expect to be greeted and taken back to change into a surgical gown. Once changed, our team will place you under general anesthesia. 

Beginning the surgery, Dr. Jonov will make an incision in the lower abdomen (just above the pubic mound). This mini tummy tuck incision is typically shorter than a full tummy tuck incision, normally just a few inches long. Through this incision, Dr. Jonov will remove the excess fat and tighten the abdominal muscles. Finally, he will remove excess skin and close the incision using surgical sutures and tape. Dr. Jonov may also place drains to aid in recovery. 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING RECOVERY?

A mini tummy tuck recovery is shorter than a full tummy tuck recovery. However, it is still a surgical procedure with some downtime. For the first week, it is best to rest at home, getting up occasionally to promote healthy circulation. Dr. Jonov will see you for a post-op appointment within a few days of your surgery where your surgeon will examine your incision and remove any drains.

You can expect some general discomfort (as with any surgery) for around the first week of recovery. You should experience extreme pain, but Dr. Jonov can prescribe medications to help ease your recovery.

Limit exercise and strenuous physical activity for the first month after surgery. While you can expect to return to some light activity around 2 weeks after surgery, Dr. Jonov will limit heavy lifting and your normal exercise routine for at least one month.  

Dr. Jonov may permit you to return within two weeks. However, returning to work is determined on an individual basis and will depend upon you and your individual recovery.

When Can I Return To Work?

Most Seattle mini tummy tuck patients return to work within a month of surgery. If you work at a desk job or otherwise non-active job, Dr. Jonov may permit you to return within two weeks. However, returning to work is determined on an individual basis and will depend upon you and your individual recovery.

HOW CAN I MAINTAIN MY MINI TUMMY TUCK RESULTS?

The best way to keep your mini tummy tuck results is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercising and eating a healthy diet will prevent you from gaining weight and jeopardizing your fantastic results. Fat cells–once gone–do not come back, but this does not prevent your remaining fat cells from expanding after your tummy tuck. This is why it is important to continue your healthy habits after mini tummy tuck surgery in Kirkland.

This is why Dr. Jonov also recommends having met your weight loss goals and be done having children before you undergo your mini tummy tuck. Significant weight gain–even from pregnancy–can compromise your results.

How Can My Seattle Plastic Surgeon Minimize Risk?

All of these risks are rare in an optimal patient and often preventable if you follow Dr. Jonov’s directions carefully after surgery. Attending any post-op appointments will also allow Dr. Jonov to monitor you after surgery and ensure you are perfectly healthy. Making sure to get up and walk a bit during recovery will help prevent blood clots and help proper fluid drainage.

However, before you decide to undergo a mini tummy tuck in Bellevue, the first thing you can do to prevent future complications or risk is to determine if you are a good candidate. While Dr. Jonov will have the final say on whether you are the right candidate for a mini tummy tuck, there are some criteria that may make you a poor candidate:

• Smoke and are unwilling to quit
• Have not yet reached your weight loss goals or are obese
• Are allergic to anesthetics
• Have any major unmanaged illness
• Plan or want to become pregnant after surgery
• Have any blood or blood clotting disorder
• Don’t have realistic expectations for the procedure