Q: What are the pros and cons?

Pros A mini abdominoplasty tightens and flattens the lower abdomen. It can replace a C-section scar with a lower, neater scar that becomes a less noticeable thin line. Because a mini tuck isn’t as aggressive as a full tummy tuck, many patients can return to work after one week (versus two to four weeks of downtime after a full tummy tuck). It typically costs a few thousand dollars less than a traditional tummy tuck. Results are considered permanent, barring pregnancy or major weight fluctuations. Cons Because the procedure won’t address stretch marks, loose skin, or muscle separation above the belly button, results can be limited or look uneven. While this surgery is generally considered safe, it does carry a risk of potential complications (more on that below). It isn’t cheap, and insurance won’t cover cosmetic surgery procedures like this one.

Question 1

What is a mini tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

Mini tummy tuck surgery contours the abdominal area below the belly button by removing excess skin and fat.

Also called a mini abdominoplasty or partial abdominoplasty, this cosmetic procedure can also replace an unattractive Cesarean section scar with a lower one that’s just slightly longer. However, because it addresses only a fairly narrow swath of skin on the lower abdomen, it can leave behind a lot of stretch marks.

There’s no universally accepted definition of a mini tummy tuck. In fact, it’s more of a marketing term than a medical term, according to Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Bradley Hubbard. “A true mini tummy tuck can excise an old C-section scar and remove maybe a couple more inches of skin to tighten up the bottom half of the abdomen, and that’s it.”

Some surgeons also tighten the lower abdominal muscles, but that's not always done (or needed). According to Atlanta-based plastic surgeon Dr. Stanley Okoro, a “mini tummy tuck can be a powerful procedure for those who simply need lower abdominal contour, without needing muscle tightening.”

Liposuction can be performed during the same operation, to remove excess fat and contour the abdomen and flanks. It can also be combined with a breast augmentation or breast lift as part of a full mommy makeover.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons?

Accepted Answer

Pros

A mini abdominoplasty tightens and flattens the lower abdomen.
It can replace a C-section scar with a lower, neater scar that becomes a less noticeable thin line.
Because a mini tuck isn’t as aggressive as a full tummy tuck, many patients can return to work after one week (versus two to four weeks of downtime after a full tummy tuck).
It typically costs a few thousand dollars less than a traditional tummy tuck.
Results are considered permanent, barring pregnancy or major weight fluctuations.

Cons

Because the procedure won’t address stretch marks, loose skin, or muscle separation above the belly button, results can be limited or look uneven.
While this surgery is generally considered safe, it does carry a risk of potential complications (more on that below).
It isn’t cheap, and insurance won’t cover cosmetic surgery procedures like this one.

Question 3

How much does a mini tummy tuck cost?

Accepted Answer

How much your mini tummy tuck costs will depend on the complexity of your surgery, the experience level of your surgeon, where your surgery is performed, and what kind of anesthesia you have.

You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.

See our complete guide to mini tummy tuck costs

Question 4

Mini tummy tuck before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The mini tummy tuck photos in our gallery have been shared by the surgeon who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 5

Is a mini tummy tuck worth it?

Accepted Answer

RealSelf members who’ve had a mini tummy tuck give it a type: embedded-entry-inline id: Ks6V6ARYAktTMUTOEu3el Worth It Rating, lower than the 95% Worth It Rating for full tummy tuck surgery.

It’s important to have a realistic view of what this more limited procedure can achieve. Compared to the dramatic results that can be achieved with a full abdominoplasty, a mini tuck “gives a mini result because it’s a mini procedure,” says Dr. Mats Hagström, a plastic surgeon in San Francisco.

It’s crucial to find a surgeon who will recommend a better option if you’re not a good candidate.

One RealSelf member who opted for a mini abdominoplasty calls her surgery “a waste of time and money.” She says that her belly button looks terrible now, and the top of her tummy bulges out. “In hindsight, I should have done the entire TT or waited and done nothing."

Question 6

Who’s a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

This less invasive procedure can be a good option for people who:

Have a little sagging skin or a slight pooch on their lower abdomen
Need only minimal muscle repair below their belly button
Want a scar revision after a C-section
Don’t plan on future pregnancies
Aren’t concerned about stretch marks above the belly button

If a roll of skin and fat forms above your waist when you bend over, or you need significant muscle repair and tightening, you’re probably a better candidate for full tummy tuck surgery. Most women who’ve had at least two children probably aren't good candidates for a mini tummy tuck.

While mini abdominoplasty procedures are usually performed on women, some men have them as well. Male patients are typically super-fit guys who, according to Dr. Hubbard, “get down to zero percent body fat, have ripply muscles, and just have some extra skin.”

Most male patients who get full tummy tucks have undergone massive weight loss, either with diet and exercise or gastric surgery, Dr. Hubbard says, so they need more tissue removal than a mini procedure can do.

Question 7

Mini tummy tuck vs. full tummy tuck: What’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

A full tummy tuck is a much more extensive procedure than a mini tuck. It targets the entire abdominal area (not just the area below the navel), removes about twice as much skin, and tightens the abdominal muscles and skin all the way up to the ribs.

It also requires up to a month of recovery, comes with a higher likelihood of complications, and costs about $2,000 more, on average.

All surgery performed during a mini tuck happens below the belly button—the navel is not touched or moved—so the skin and muscles on the upper half of the abdomen can’t be tightened.

Dr. Joseph Mele, a plastic surgeon in Walnut Creek, California, says that sagging and loose skin above the belly button makes you a better candidate for a full tummy tuck.

One of the benefits of a mini tummy tuck procedure is the length of the incision (and, thus, the scar): while a full tummy tuck requires an incision that runs from hip to hip, as well as one around the belly button, a mini procedure typically comes with a shorter incision and a smaller scar.

Another advantage of the mini version: it’s easier to revise later. “Traditional tummy tucks are best to do perfectly, one time,” says Dr. Hubbard. “However, with a mini tummy tuck, there’s no difficulty in performing a revision or secondary tummy tuck later. No bridges are burned.”

“Far more important than deciding if a mini tummy tuck is for you is the skill and experience level of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather than the technique and let them explain why one technique may be better than another,” in your unique situation, says Newport Beach, California, plastic surgeon Dr. Larry Nichter.

Related: Is a Mini Tummy Tuck Right for You? Plastic Surgeons Weigh In

Question 8

How soon after giving birth can you have a mini tuck?

Accepted Answer

Many surgeons recommend waiting for six months after childbirth, but “there’s no scientific study showing that six months is better than three months,” says Dr. Hubbard. “It probably depends on how traumatic the pregnancy was to your body.”

A woman who had a six-pound baby without experiencing much expansion of skin and muscle could wait less time than a smaller woman who had a bigger baby or twins.

“If you’re a smaller person and your tummy got really really big, you’d want to wait nine months to a year,” says Dr. Hubbard. “You have to give your body a chance to recover some on its own. It’s hard to predict how well the skin will bounce back of its own accord.” Women under age 40 may bounce back more readily due to better skin elasticity.

Question 9

What does a mini tummy tuck involve?

Accepted Answer

The procedure takes two to three hours. Like most plastic surgery, it's usually performed in an outpatient surgical center or office-based facility, under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. You’ll be able to go home a few hours after your procedure.

Here’s how the procedure works:

If you’re also having liposuction to remove excess fat, the surgeon will perform the lipo first. “Liposuction creates more loose skin, and it also puts a lot of numbing medicine into the body,” says Dr. Hubbard.

If the abdominal area is being liposuctioned, the lipo incisions will be made in skin that’s going to be removed. For other areas, tiny incisions will be made to insert the thin tube, called a cannula.

Once any lipo is done, your surgeon will make a short incision across your lower belly, just above the pubic area. If you have a C-section scar, the new incision will fall about an inch below it.

Then they will remove an area of excess skin and fat, usually two to three inches high. “You want about a total of 16 centimeters (six inches) between the belly button and the vagina when you’re done, otherwise you’ll pull the belly button down below the belt buckle—and that looks weird,” says Dr. Hubbard.

Some surgeons also trim off some fat on the underside of the remaining skin, leaving a thinner fat layer.

They may then tighten or repair the underlying muscles, if necessary.

The incision is then closed with dissolvable stitches, surgical tape, or glue.

Most surgeons don’t insert surgical drains after a mini tuck.

Once you recover from the anesthesia, you’ll be sent home. You’ll be groggy, so it’s important to plan for someone you trust to accompany you and stay with you for the first night.

Question 10

How painful is a mini tummy tuck?

Accepted Answer

The surgical procedure itself isn’t painful at all, thanks to the anesthesia, but you can expect some discomfort during your recovery, especially during the first week. If your abdominal muscles were repaired, the pain can be significant.

You’ll probably need prescription pain medication for a few days, to keep you comfortable. After that, over the counter pain meds like Tylenol should be enough.

Question 11

Can a mini tummy tuck fix diastasis recti?

Accepted Answer

Yes, though it can’t fix it as completely as a full tummy tuck.

Most surgeons limit the scope of a partial abdominoplasty to removing loose abdominal skin, as well as some fat. But depending on the patient’s needs, it can tighten and repair muscles, including addressing diastasis recti—a condition in which the muscles in the abdominal wall separate, causing the stomach to protrude and create what's commonly called a mummy tummy or mommy pooch.

Diastasis recti often occurs after pregnancy, though muscle separation also affects men (aka guy gut). During diastasis recti repair surgery, sutures in the fascia bring the abdominal muscles together like a corset.

Here's the problem: Diastasis recti can occur above and below your belly button, but a mini tummy tuck procedure would repair only the diastasis below the belly button, while the upper two-thirds of the abdominal muscles in your midsection would go unrepaired. This means you could be left with a noticeable bulge in the upper abdomen.

For some patients, “this can make them appear four months pregnant only in their upper abdomen,” says La Jolla, California, plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Rossi.

Talk with your surgeon about whether there's a chance that you'd have this kind of suboptimal result, and whether a full tummy tuck would be a better option for you.

Question 12

How long does it take to recover from mini tummy tuck surgery?

Accepted Answer

Most mini tummy tuck patients need just one week off of work for recovery. If your surgery involves muscle repair or extensive liposuction, you’ll probably want a second week of downtime, too.

Here’s what to expect during recovery:

You'll be sent home with instructions on keeping your incision clean during healing, to help reduce the risk of infection.

Swelling can still be significant, even after a small tummy tuck. You’ll have peak swelling five days after surgery, and it should recede every day after that.

Your lymphatic drainage has been disrupted by the incision, so the excess fluid—which normally would drain into the lymph nodes in your groin—has to travel (against gravity) to the lymph nodes in your armpits. The swelling should resolve within a few weeks as the incision heals and the lymphatic channels are restored. Lymphatic drainage massage during the first couple of weeks can help accelerate the process.

Some people find that they're not able to fit into their normal clothes for a couple of weeks after surgery due to the swelling. Plan to wear loose clothing that doesn’t put pressure on the incision.

Your surgeon will also probably ask you to wear a compression garment for six to eight weeks after your procedure. This reduces swelling and bruising, while helping loose skin retract. Compression also helps prevent fluid collection (seroma), a common complication. “I have patients wear the garment full-time for four weeks and half the time for four weeks,” says Dr. Hubbard.

Avoid strenuous activities, like cardio exercise and heavy lifting, until at least a month post-op.

It’s usually safe to resume your full activities six weeks post-op, but follow your surgeon’s recommendations, to help reduce complications and speed recovery time.

Question 13

When will you see mini tummy tuck results?

Accepted Answer

It takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after surgery for all the swelling to go down and your skin to relax, so you can see your results. “I usually tell people that they’ll be happy in a month and in love in three months,” says Dr. Hubbard.

Some people find they’re unhappy with how their belly button settles after the procedure. Others say they expected a smoother abdomen and better body contouring.

If you’re not pleased with the outcome, talk to your doctor about other techniques that can help you achieve the flat belly you want, including nonsurgical fat reduction.

See mini tummy tuck before and after photos

Question 14

How long do mini tummy tuck results last?

Accepted Answer

Mini tuck results are intended to be permanent, assuming you don’t become pregnant or have extreme weight gain.

The natural aging process can increase laxity in the abdominal area as well, but that shouldn't affect you until many years post-op.

If you’re happy with your results, you can maintain them with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Question 15

What does a mini tummy tuck scar look like?

Accepted Answer

The scar from a mini tummy tuck is usually less than six inches long, much smaller than a traditional tummy tuck scar, which typically runs from hip to hip.

Ultimately, “the length of the scar is dependent on how much skin there is to remove,” says Dr. Connie Hiers, a plastic surgeon in San Antonio. “Many mini tuck scars are as long as full-tuck scars because of the excess skin.”

Dr. Hubbard says a mini tummy tuck scar should be entirely hidden below the panty line (or bikini line). If his patients are concerned about their scar, he encourages them to bring in their panties or bathing suit on the day of their surgery. “We’ll draw on the panty line prior to surgery, and I’ll make sure the scar stays below it.”

It can take six months or more for a scar to mature. It’s quite common for the scar’s edges to be a little bunched or elevated early on.

Once the incision is completely healed (around the four-week mark), silicone sheets or a gel like Biocorneum can reduce visible scarring.

Question 16

Does a mini tummy tuck have risks and side effects?

Accepted Answer

Mini tucks don’t carry a lot of risks, beyond the usual potential side effects from surgery: swelling, bruising, allergic reactions to anesthesia, infection, or changes in skin sensation near the incision.

If you notice any other symptoms that seem unusual, reach out to your doctor for help with managing them.

MINI TUMMY TUCK

Stanley Okoro, MD

Karyn Repinski

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Stanley Okoro, MD

Karyn Repinski

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