The Brazilian Mini-Tuck
This is one of the most exciting advances in abdominal surgery. The mini-tuck is a combination of liposculpture enhanced by much more effective cannula design and a simpler method of removing excess abdominal skin as described by Dr. Avelar of Brazil. The newer cannula (rasps the fat and allows suction at the same time) was developed in Argentina and modified by a very smart Dr. Mangubat in Seattle and further modified by Dr. Kaplan for a much more rapid and effective sculpting procedure.
Once the liposculpture portion is finished, the surgical area is re-sterilized and an incision is placed very low such that about half the skin between the pubic line and the navel is removed. Sometimes, all the skin up to the navel is removed and the navel is relocated in a higher position. Some patients request more skin removed around the beltline and this can also be done at the same time with just local anesthesia. The entire procedure is performed with the patient awake- TUMESCENT ANESTHESIA is the filling up of the tissues with intravenous saline to which is added lidocaine (numbing) and epinephrine (no bleeding and prolongs numbing effect) for a safer, more cost effective procedure. This procedure has resulted in no deaths nationwide compared to a very significant number of deaths from similar procedures performed with intravenous and general anesthesia.
After the procedure, the patient is placed in a compression girdle worn around the clock for three days, then during the day for ten days. One can expect discomfort and deep soreness afterwards, but it is not especially painful and the patient is able to walk upright immediately. Work can be resumed in three to five days instead of weeks in the traditional abdominoplasty. The mini is not for everyone, but in good candidates it is an excellent alternative to traditional plastic surgery.
