Mini tummy tuck in Gangnam: can S-type surgery improve lower abdominal skin sagging after childbirth?
Patient Registration Info
| Age | Weight | Height | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
|
30s |
55kg |
164cm |
21 |
Surgical site
Surgical site : Abdomen｜ liposuction aspirate volume : 1,400cc
Can sagging skin below the belly button after childbirth be improved with a mini abdominoplasty?
If skin laxity in the upper abdomen is minimal,
while sagging skin and Rectus Diastasis
are concentrated in the lower abdomen,
an S-Type Mini Abdominoplasty may be considered.
However, the term “mini abdominoplasty”
does not necessarily mean that
the incision will always be short.
The amount of skin that needs to be removed
and the location of the Rectus Diastasis
must also be evaluated.
Many women want to improve loose abdominal skin
that remains after childbirth,
but concerns about the extent of surgery
and recovery time can make the decision difficult.
In particular, when sagging and folding
below the belly button are the main concerns
but mild laxity is also present
in the upper abdomen,
patients may wonder whether
a full abdominoplasty or mini abdominoplasty
would be more appropriate.
It is easy to assume that a “mini abdominoplasty”
means a shorter incision
and a relatively simple procedure.
However, the actual surgical extent depends
on the degree of lower abdominal skin laxity,
the amount of skin that needs to be removed,
and the location of the Rectus Diastasis.
The patient featured in this case
had returned to a normal weight range
after childbirth,
but continued to be concerned about
the loose skin remaining below the belly button.
Because she was concerned about
the incision and recovery associated
with a full abdominoplasty,
she visited Lesarts Plastic Surgery
to determine whether only the areas
that required correction could be treated.
You can also review surgical results
from patients with similar abdominal concerns
on the page below.
▶ View Similar Abdominoplasty Cases
In this post, we will review
the diagnostic process and postoperative changes
of an S-Type Mini Abdominoplasty
through the case of a patient
who was concerned about persistent
lower abdominal skin laxity after childbirth.
[Preoperative Condition Showing Lower Abdominal Sagging and Wrinkles Below the Belly Button]
[Patient Information]
Age: 38
Height: 164 cm
Weight: 55.3 kg
Childbirth History: Two deliveries, including one C-section
At the time of consultation, the patient showed reduced skin elasticity
mainly below the belly button, with loose skin gathering in the lower abdomen.
Although she had lost weight after childbirth, the lower abdominal skin
and abdominal wall had not fully recovered, making the lower abdomen
appear rounded and heavy even while standing.
When she bent forward, the skin below the belly button shifted downward,
making the folds and fine wrinkles more noticeable.
Rather than excessive subcutaneous fat causing abdominal thickness,
reduced skin elasticity and Rectus Diastasis were both contributing
to the appearance of the lower abdomen.
Therefore, Abdominal Liposuction alone, which primarily reduces fat volume,
would not have been sufficient to improve the lower abdominal sagging
that concerned the patient.
[Preoperative Condition Planned for S-Type Mini Abdominoplasty with Rectus Diastasis Repair]
The patient had relatively mild skin laxity in the upper abdomen,
while most of the sagging and wrinkles were concentrated below the belly button.
After childbirth, Rectus Diastasis had also developed,
causing the abdominal wall to protrude forward.
For this reason, we planned an S-Type Mini Abdominoplasty using the umbilical floating technique
to bring the separated rectus muscles back toward the midline and remove the loose lower abdominal skin.
What Is the Umbilical Floating Technique?
The umbilical floating technique temporarily detaches the existing belly button from the abdominal wall,
allowing Rectus Diastasis repair to be performed before the skin is pulled downward and the belly button position is adjusted.
Unlike a full abdominoplasty, which creates a new opening for the belly button,
this technique preserves the existing belly button while focusing primarily on the lower abdominal skin.
It may be considered when skin sagging is concentrated below the belly button
and Rectus Diastasis is also present, allowing the surgical extent to be adjusted accordingly.
More details about the procedure can be found in our
Mini Abdominoplasty Surgery Guide.
An S-Type Mini Abdominoplasty primarily removes and tightens
loose skin in the lower abdomen.
Therefore, compared with a full abdominoplasty, there may be limitations
in improving fine wrinkles above the belly button or tightening more extensive upper abdominal skin laxity.
The patient was informed that mild upper abdominal skin laxity could remain
and that even with a mini abdominoplasty, the incision could be longer depending on the amount of skin that needed to be removed.
Even so, she placed greater importance on reducing the extent of the incision and recovery
compared with a full abdominoplasty involving wider dissection of the upper abdomen.
She therefore agreed to focus the correction on the lower abdomen,
where improvement was most needed, and proceeded with an S-Type Mini Abdominoplasty.
[3.5 Months After Mini Abdominoplasty: Changes in Lower Abdominal Skin Sagging from the Front]
Before surgery, loose skin below the belly button gathered in the lower abdomen,
creating folds above the underwear line and an uneven lower abdominal contour.
At 3.5 months after surgery, the sagging skin and wrinkles had been reduced,
creating a flatter and smoother lower abdominal contour.
Rectus Diastasis repair was performed at the same time to correct the abdominal wall that had been protruding forward,
allowing the line from the upper abdomen to below the belly button to appear more naturally connected.
As the heaviness and skin folds concentrated in the lower abdomen were reduced,
the area below the waist also appeared lighter and more refined.
[3.5 Months After Mini Abdominoplasty: Changes in Abdominal Protrusion from the Oblique View]
From the oblique view, the lower abdomen that had previously protruded forward
appears noticeably flatter at 3.5 months after surgery.
Rather than tightening only the lower abdominal skin, Rectus Diastasis was also corrected
using the umbilical floating technique, reducing the forward protrusion of the abdominal wall.
Although mild skin laxity remains in the upper abdomen,
the sagging and protrusion below the belly button—the patient’s main concerns—
have become noticeably smoother and more refined.
[3.5 Months After Mini Abdominoplasty: Changes in Lower Abdominal Protrusion from the Side]
From the side view, the change in lower abdominal thickness
after the Mini Abdominoplasty is even more noticeable.
Before surgery, the skin below the belly button protruded forward,
creating a rounded lower abdomen and an uneven transition
from the upper to the lower abdomen.
After surgery, Rectus Diastasis was corrected and the loose skin was tightened,
making the lower abdomen appear flatter than before.
The contour from the upper abdomen through the belly button
to the lower abdomen now transitions more naturally
without an abrupt change in the abdominal line.
[3.5 Months After Mini Abdominoplasty: Changes in Lower Abdominal Skin Folds When Bending Forward]
Before surgery, when bending forward,
the loose skin below the belly button shifted downward,
creating deep folds and wrinkles.
After surgery, the amount of excess skin was reduced,
allowing the lower abdomen to remain tighter
even in the same position.
The degree of skin folding and downward movement
with changes in posture was also reduced.
However, Mini Abdominoplasty does not eliminate
all skin folds that appear when bending or sitting.
The remaining normal skin can still fold naturally
depending on posture.
[3.5 Months After Mini Abdominoplasty: Changes in the Lower Abdominal Incision Scar Within the Underwear Line]
Abdominoplasty removes loose skin by pulling
and excising the excess, which leaves
an incision scar on the lower abdomen.
In this case, the previous C-section scar
and loose lower abdominal skin were removed together.
The new incision was placed within the underwear line
so that it could be concealed when wearing underwear.
At 3.5 months after surgery, some redness
and firmness were still present along the incision.
The scar was still in the process of maturing and stabilizing,
and the redness and firmness may gradually improve over time.
It is important to continue the recommended scar care,
including laser treatments, moisturizing, and taping,
according to the stage of recovery.
[Before Surgery vs. 1 Month After: Selfie Comparison]
[Before Surgery vs. 1 Month After: Selfie Comparison]
The patient’s own photos taken before surgery
and one month afterward also show a reduction
in lower abdominal protrusion and skin sagging.
Before surgery, the lower abdomen protruded below the belly button,
creating a heavy appearance even under clothing.
One month after surgery, the lower abdomen appeared
flatter and more streamlined.
The amount of skin that could be pinched by hand
was also reduced, and the previously sagging abdomen
followed the waistline more firmly.
At one month after surgery, some swelling and firmness
of the internal tissues could still remain.
However, the long-standing lower abdominal sagging after childbirth
had improved, with a noticeable change in the abdominal contour under clothing.
How Do Mini Abdominoplasty and Full Abdominoplasty Differ?
Mini Abdominoplasty and Full Abdominoplasty
are not distinguished simply by incision length.
The location and extent of skin sagging, degree of Rectus Diastasis,
belly button position and shape, and any existing C-section scar
should all be evaluated together.
– Skin sagging is mainly concentrated below the belly button
– Upper abdominal skin elasticity is relatively well maintained
– Mild to moderate lower abdominal sagging is present
– Lower abdominal Rectus Diastasis is present
– The existing C-section scar is intended to be removed together
– Skin elasticity is reduced from the upper to lower abdomen
– Sagging and wrinkles extend both above and below the belly button
– A wider area of skin needs to be tightened
– The belly button has significantly changed in position or shape
– Rectus Diastasis requires broader correction across the upper and lower abdomen
In this patient, upper abdominal sagging was relatively mild,
with most of the changes concentrated in the lower abdomen.
Therefore, an S-Type Mini Abdominoplasty with the belly button floating technique
allowed the correction to focus primarily on the areas that required improvement.
However, even when lower abdominal sagging appears similar,
differences in skin elasticity and the condition above the belly button
may make a Full Abdominoplasty more appropriate.
The Appropriate Surgical Extent Should Be Determined Based on the Current Lower Abdominal Condition
Even after postpartum weight returns close to its previous level,
loose skin below the belly button and abdominal protrusion
may still remain.
This may not simply be due to remaining fat,
but can also result from changes in the stretched skin,
rectus muscles, and fascia during pregnancy.
In these cases, it is not appropriate to automatically choose
a more extensive Abdominoplasty or, conversely, insist on
a Mini Abdominoplasty solely to minimize the incision.
The location where skin sagging begins, the extent of Rectus Diastasis,
and the amount of skin that needs to be removed should be evaluated
before determining the appropriate surgical extent.
It is also important to understand that an S-Type Mini Abdominoplasty
primarily addresses the lower abdomen, so some upper abdominal wrinkles
and reduced skin elasticity may remain.
If your weight has returned after childbirth but lower abdominal skin sagging
and protrusion continue to be a concern, an accurate evaluation is important
to determine whether a Mini Abdominoplasty or Full Abdominoplasty
is more appropriate for your current condition.
#MiniAbdominoplasty
#PostpartumAbdomen
#LowerAbdominalSagging
#RectusDiastasis
#BellyButtonFloating
#Abdominoplasty
#LesartsPlasticSurgery
Mini Abdominoplasty FAQ
Q1. Does Mini Abdominoplasty always involve a shorter incision?
Mini Abdominoplasty may involve a more limited surgical area
than Full Abdominoplasty, but the incision length depends
on the amount of skin that needs to be removed
and the extent of sagging.
The term “mini” does not necessarily mean
that the incision will always be short.
Q2. Does the belly button floating technique create a new belly button?
No. This technique preserves the existing belly button
while temporarily releasing it from the abdominal wall
to adjust its position.
This differs from Full Abdominoplasty,
which creates a new opening for the belly button.
Q3. Can Mini Abdominoplasty correct Rectus Diastasis?
Yes, depending on the location and extent
of the Rectus Diastasis.
With the belly button floating technique,
correction of the rectus muscles around the belly button
and lower abdomen can also be performed.
Q4. Will Mini Abdominoplasty remove upper abdominal wrinkles?
Mini Abdominoplasty primarily tightens
the lower abdominal skin, so its ability to improve
loose skin and fine wrinkles above the belly button may be limited.
If skin sagging extends across the upper abdomen,
Full Abdominoplasty may need to be considered.
Q5. When does a Mini Abdominoplasty scar begin to look more natural?
During the early recovery period, the incision may appear
red and feel firm. It generally becomes softer and lighter
over several months to a year or longer.
The rate of scar maturation can vary
depending on individual skin characteristics
and postoperative scar care.
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