Restore your belly to a more beautiful shape.
When you start looking into a tummy tuck, you quickly come across several terms. Tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck or a Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. One thing all people have in common is excess flabby skin near their abdomen. At MOOI Clinic, we offer several types of tummy tuck procedures that tighten the abdomen. We’d like to tell you more about the mini tummy tuck. During a consultation with a plastic surgeon at our private clinic located in Maastricht, we’ll provide you with all the necessary information so you can make an informed decision.
What is a mini abdominoplasty?
A mini abdominoplasty corrects only the sagging skin below the navel. The navel, abdominal muscles and the area above the navel remain unaffected. A smaller (shorter) incision is made to remove the sagging skin, than in the classic tummy tuck. The classic tummy tuck involves a scar that runs from hip to hip, whereas in a mini tummy tuck, the scar is as low as possible so that it falls within the underwear line.
When to have a mini tummy tuck
The mini abdominoplasty can be performed only when the amount of drooping skin is limited. When you have lost weight in a short period of time, or after pregnancy, we more often see a small “flap” of excess skin under the navel in women. The lower part of the abdominal skin stretches out and this causes sagging skin. If there are any stretch marks, if possible, we remove them as much as possible. During the personal consultation, the plastic surgeon can tell you more about this.
A mini tummy tuck is also more often combined with liposuction. In this case, the plastic surgeon removes fat cells to accentuate your body contours.
THE TREATMENT PROCESS
From consultation to tighter belly
Make an appointment first
Call or email one of our staff members to schedule a consultation. Tell us your plans in advance so we can schedule you with the plastic surgeon who is best for you. You can make an appointment through the appointments page.
Or call: +31 43 311 8708
The consultation from A to Z
You come to MOOI Clinic in Maastricht to discuss your mini tummy tuck. Write down your wishes and questions in advance so you can ask them at the consultation. During the consultation, you’ll speak with the plastic surgeon who specializes in abdominoplasty about everything from general information on pre- and aftercare, to details such as scar placement.
After the consultation, you’ll know everything regarding your future tummy tuck and which surgery best suits your needs and abdomen. You’ll receive honest advice from us about the expected outcome, risks, recovery and costs.
We will also take photos for your medical records today. We advise all our clients to quit smoking around the time of treatment. The same applies to the use of nicotine patches and gum.
An initial consultation involves a €50 consultation fee, which will be deducted from the treatment price.
The operation
The surgery is done under anesthesia (or general anesthesia) so you won’t feel anything. The anesthesiologist will put you under anesthesia in the OR. To remove the sagging skin at your lower abdomen, a horizontal incision is made. Of course, if you already have a scar, such as from a C-section, the surgeon will make sure that after the tummy tuck, you will still only have one scar and not two. In a mini abdominoplasty, we make the shortest possible incision and suture the skin neatly so that the scar falls into the underwear line.
Aftercare and recovery
Before surgery, you’ll receive detailed post-operative and recovery instructions from us. It is important for your own recovery that you follow these carefully. It is important for your own recovery that you follow these carefully. After a mini abdominoplasty, you may go home the same day. You may not drive yourself so you need to plan in advance how you will get home.
You may have some after pain. You’ll need to wear a compression garment around your abdomen day and night for six weeks after surgery. This stops swelling and fluid accumulation. Depending on the surgery, drains are sometimes placed to drain wound fluid. These are removed after a few days. You may begin carefully walking short distances in a slightly hunched position starting on the third day.
After a mini tummy tuck, you can return to light activities after two weeks. For the first two weeks, you should absolutely not lift or do any physically strenuous work. You may possibly walk short distances and sedentary work is allowed. After six weeks, you’re usually fully recovered and can begin lightly exercising.
Read all about recovery after a tummy tuck here.
Risks
As with any procedure, there is a chance of bleeding, infection or impaired wound healing with a tummy tuck. This is usually not serious and easily treated.
A tummy tuck creates a numb spot below the navel. Usually the area between the navel and the scar remains numb. This numb area does get smaller and smaller. Most people are not bothered by this. Any small folds in the skin of the lower abdomen disappear gradually over time.
Scar recovery can never be completely predicted. The appearance of thick and lumpy scars, also called scar hypertrophy, can occur. Sometimes a scar correction can provide improvement after a year.
Fat necrosis, the death of fat under the skin, may occur. This is especially common in clients with high body weight. In some cases, this can lead to infection and opening of the wound. Drainage and administration of antibiotics may also be necessary.
QUIT SMOKING
We advise all our clients to quit smoking around the time of treatment. The same applies to the use of nicotine patches and gum. Smoking not only makes you less MOOI on the outside, but also on the inside. If you smoke, you have a higher risk of complications such as poor wound healing, skin shedding or respiratory problems with general anesthesia. In addition, smoking has a detrimental effect on the ingrowth of fat.
Experience of others
Your desire and reasons for having a tummy tuck is personal. Therefore, it’s very important to us that you feel good about your choices. We also take the time for you to consider which solution is best for you. Other men and women who have also had a tummy tuck through MOOI Clinic may have faced the same choices and doubts as you are now. So be sure to read their experiences through ZorgkaartNederland.nl.
I had an incredibly good and satisfactory correction. The wound is beautifully done and blends very nicely into the underwear line. The result was even more beautiful than what I expected. Also, the guidance and information about the treatment you receive here is very clear. So happy with my choice of Mooi Clinic. Thank you Dr. Meesters-Caberg.
I had abdominal wall correction with liposuction. Because of Corona, my treatment was postponed 2 times, but in June it was completed. Was helped by Dr. Feijen, the surgery was successful without complication. Before the surgery I was very nervous, but she put me at ease . I am so pleased with the result. Thank you Dr Feijen for the beautiful result. You are the best in my eyes.
Our plastic surgeons
Our plastic surgeons
Your appearance is precious to us. We believe that for proper treatment, you need the right people. Training, competence and quality can only be provided with plastic surgeons who understand their profession. We do not want to be the largest clinic in the Netherlands, but the best.
What does this tummy tuck cost?
After the consultation with the plastic surgeon, you’ll know exactly what your mini tummy tuck will cost.
Please note that it is not possible to claim expenses for treatments from health insurance. MOOI only performs procedures for uninsured care.
If you do want to qualify for reimbursement, we’re happy to refer you to one of our hospitals. For this you need a referral from the family doctor. We recommend consulting the terms and conditions of your health insurance policy.
