Mini Tummy Tuck

Mini tummy tuck addresses only the area between the pubic bone and navel, in contrast to full abdominoplasty which extends from pubic bone to rib cage. The procedure removes a smaller skin/fat segment, leaves the navel intact (no umbilical relocation), and uses a shorter incision similar in length to a C-section scar — typically 4-6 inches vs the 12-18 inches of a full tummy tuck.

Ideal candidates have isolated lower-abdominal skin laxity or fat (often post-pregnancy) without significant upper abdominal concerns or diastasis recti. Recovery is meaningfully shorter than full abdominoplasty: most patients return to work in 7-10 days vs 2-3 weeks. Cost is also reduced. Limitations are real, though — patients with significant upper-abdominal laxity or muscle separation will be disappointed by the limited correction; for them, full abdominoplasty is the right answer.