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If you’ve tried to achieve a toned stomach through exercise and diet but aren’t getting the results you want, you may find yourself searching for other options. A mini tummy tuck can be the ideal solution if you just need a little improvement in how your abdomen looks. This surgical procedure can help you attain the outcome you desire, offering a less invasive alternative to a full tummy tuck.
The mini tummy tuck is an altered version of a full tummy tuck and is an excellent choice for patients who do not necessarily need to undergo the full procedure. Triple-board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Leo Lapuerta offers several variations of abdominoplasty surgery, including the mini tummy tuck. Learn more about this targeted procedure below, or schedule your consultation with Dr. Lapuerta to discuss the best options for your unique needs.
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A mini tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that targets the lower abdomen, focusing on the area below the belly button. This procedure removes excess skin, tightens underlying muscles, and can even eliminate a small amount of stubborn fat to create a smoother, flatter abdominal profile.
Unlike a full tummy tuck, which addresses both the upper and lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck is less invasive and requires a smaller incision. The mini tummy tuck is perfect for those who have mild to moderate skin laxity or a small belly pooch but do not need the extensive correction of a full abdominoplasty.
Both a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck will reduce excess skin, fat, and tissue in the lower abdomen. Both will produce a flatter, more toned stomach, as well as a more feminine waistline. The important thing to understand when considering a mini tummy tuck vs. a full tummy tuck is not necessarily the final outcome that is desired, but rather the amount of excess skin, fat, and tissue present that will need to be removed to achieve the desired final outcome.
With a Mini Tummy Tuck vs a Full Tummy Tuck:
The mini tummy tuck is typically performed as an outpatient procedure in Dr. Lapuerta’s fully accredited surgical facility. On the day of your surgery, Dr. Lapuerta administers general anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
During the procedure, Dr. Lapuerta makes a small incision just above the pubic area, similar to the size and placement of a C-section scar.
Through this incision, he removes excess skin, tightens the underlying muscles, and may perform liposuction to contour the lower abdomen further. Once the desired results are achieved, Dr. Lapuerta carefully closes the incision to minimize scarring. The entire procedure typically takes 1–2 hours, and you’ll return home the same day to begin your recovery.
A mini tummy tuck targets a variety of concerns in the lower abdomen, including:
This procedure is an excellent option for individuals who want to address these concerns without undergoing more extensive surgery, such as a full tummy tuck.
A mini tummy tuck is a great way to get the body you want and to feel good about your appearance. It takes care of loose skin around your abdomen that can cause you to feel self-conscious. You’ll feel more confident about how you look in a swimsuit or other form-fitting clothing.
The results of a mini tummy tuck can last for years as long as you don’t have any significant weight gain or get pregnant.
You no longer need to hold your stomach in or wear a girdle or other garment to hide rolls of loose skin.
Another benefit of the mini tummy tuck is that it can be included in a combination of effective procedures, such as a fat transfer surgery. If you want to increase the size of your breasts or buttocks, you can use the fat from other locations. The fat removed from a full or mini tummy tuck can be reused elsewhere on the body.
A mini tummy tuck is perfect for both men and women who are in good shape but still battle an unwanted pooch in their midsection. Any loose or excess skin and fat should primarily be concentrated between the belly button and pubic bone for the best results. A mini tummy tuck candidate should also have relatively good skin tone to help aid a healthy healing process, and should not be planning a future pregnancy or drastic weight loss.
Patients with moderate to larger amounts of excess skin, fat, and tissue will better be served by a full tummy tuck and are not considered a suitable mini tummy tuck candidate.
Similarly, patients with excess tissue or stretch marks above the belly button and patients who experience stomach distention or “pooching” after eating are also better suited for a full tummy tuck.
A potential mini tummy tuck candidate should also be in good overall health and have a good understanding of what to expect both during and after the procedure. Dr. Lapuerta will sit down with the patient during a consultation and clearly communicate the treatment plan and expected results, making sure the patient is fully aware of what is to come.
Immediately following surgery, there will be some swelling, bruising, and soreness of the abdomen. It is also natural to have a temporary change in the way the area feels during their mini tummy tuck recovery. Patients can expect to be back on their feet the day after the surgery and can return to work in two weeks. While shorter than the recovery from a full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck recovery will still generally take somewhere between four and six weeks. After four to six weeks, patients are usually given clearance to resume exercise and other strenuous activities.
Following the procedure, there will be a mini tummy tuck scar. However, an experienced and skilled surgeon like Dr. Lapuerta will strategically make their incision so that the scar will not be visible if the patient is wearing underwear, a bathing suit, or any other kind of clothing. Additionally, over time the scar will fade and become less visible.
The results of a mini tummy tuck are immediately noticeable, with a flatter, firmer lower abdomen and improved body contours. The full effects become even more apparent as swelling subsides over the following weeks.
Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle allows patients to enjoy their mini tummy tuck results for many years. The small incision is carefully placed to be easily hidden under clothing or swimwear, leaving you feeling confident in your refreshed figure.
Recovery time
Average Procedure time
Post-op Follow-up
Procedure Recovery Location
1-2 Weeks
2-3 Hours
1 Week
Outpatient
The cost of a mini tummy tuck can vary based on the unique needs of each patient, but in general, the procedure costs between $5,000 and $7,500.
A mini tummy tuck scar is typically located on the lower area of the belly and is somewhere between four and eight inches long. The scar will extend horizontally across the abdomen and will be strategically placed so that the scar is hidden when wearing underwear or a bathing suit. The scar should visibly fade over time, as an experienced plastic surgeon will carefully make all incisions in such a way as to reduce future scarring.
Full mini tummy tuck recovery typically takes around four to six weeks. After four to six weeks, patients can resume vigorous physical activities and return to their normal, everyday lives with no restrictions. Patients can expect to return to work and most activities after only two weeks of mini tummy tuck recovery time.
During the procedure, patients will be under anesthesia, so they should feel no pain. A mini tummy tuck is a less extensive procedure than a full tummy tuck, and as a result, there should be less discomfort following the surgery. Any pain or discomfort will be managed with prescription pain medication in order to make sure the patient is as comfortable as possible.
Liposuction is a procedure that removes fat only, and is a good surgery choice for patients who have good skin tone and tight abdominal muscles. However, it will not benefit those who have sagging skin. When a patient comes to see us for the first time, we will work together to learn the patient’s aesthetic goals and review the procedures that might help meet those goals. For some, even a little hanging skin may warrant a mini tummy tuck.
Women who have had a C-section will typically have a scar that runs horizontally in the lower abdomen. During a mini tummy tuck, an incision will be made very close to the C-section incision. Once the loose skin is trimmed away and the area is pulled tight, the two incisions are essentially combined into one, which will allow for only one scar to remain. This scar will still be located in an area that will be hidden by undergarments and a bathing suit bottom.
Abdominoplasty surgery should probably be delayed until after all pregnancies have been completed. The goal of a tummy tuck procedure is to tighten the abdominal wall. Getting pregnant after a tummy tuck may spoil the surgical results.
