One of the most asked questions on RealSelf, a website that connects patients with board-certified plastic surgeons, comes from people who want to know if they need a tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck. I hear the same questions at my Los Angeles plastic surgery practice. In many cases, I recommend a technique that isn’t often discussed—a lower abdominoplasty.
In this blog post, I’ll describe that technique and address what makes a patient a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck versus a full tummy tuck. I’ll also explain how a pubic lift is different from tummy tuck surgery and why body contouring procedures are truly transformative.
When Is a Tummy Tuck the Right Solution?
Abdominoplasty—tummy tuck surgery—is one of the most common body contouring procedures performed by plastic surgeons. It’s an excellent option for both women and men who have excess skin after losing a significant amount of weight.
Women who have had children often get tummy tuck surgery when they want to regain a flat stomach after discovering that exercise and dieting aren’t enough on their own—especially if they have experienced abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti) during their pregnancies.
Other patients who can benefit from a tummy tuck are people who have lost weight either through lifestyle changes or after undergoing weight-loss surgery. In some of these cases, a tummy tuck is combined with other body contouring procedures such as a thigh lift, arm lift, or other skin tightening surgery.
What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
Our tummy tuck patients are highly satisfied with their results because of the dramatic changes created by the procedure. During their consultations, many of these patients say that they are extremely self-conscious about their abdomens’ appearance—often to the point that they avoid undressing in front of their spouses or partners.
Tummy tuck surgery changes that perspective because it results in:
- A more youthful-looking body
- Improved skin laxity
- A flatter stomach
- More defined “six-pack” muscles
- Firm skin
You can see these results in our gallery of tummy tuck before and after photos.
What Happens to the Bellybutton During a Tummy Tuck?
Patients are sometimes not aware that a tummy tuck involves repositioning—rather than recreating—the bellybutton. This step is necessary because the abdominal skin is pulled down after removing the excess skin, and it’s important that the bellybutton remains in a natural-looking abdominal position.
Plastic surgeons tend to develop their own techniques for moving and reshaping bellybuttons as part of tummy tuck surgery. These are features of the technique I use:
- Hide the scar by placing it slightly on the inside edge.
- Remove some fat surrounding the umbilicus to recreate youthful contours.
- Use a crescent-shaped skin excision to create a natural-appearing upper fold of skin.
- Deepen the base of the umbilicus to create an “innie” bellybutton (unless an “outie” is requested).
- Bury the external sutures so that stitch marks are not visible on the tension-free closure.
I advise studying the appearance of patients’ bellybuttons when looking at a plastic surgeon’s before-and-after photos to ensure you like the outcomes.
Is a Pubic Lift a Tummy Tuck Alternative?
A pubic lift is actually an important part of the tummy tuck procedures I perform. The procedure tightens the pad of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone, called the mons pubis, and the surrounding area. This is an area that tends to sag after a woman has children or after significant weight loss, and a pubic lift ensures patients are confident in their bodies without clothes on.
What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck or Lower Abdominoplasty?
When people considering abdominoplasty ask on RealSelf or other online forums if they’re good candidates for a mini tummy tuck, I explain that the answer hinges on their expectations for the surgery. A mini tummy tuck can vary between providers but generally addresses the skin below the bellybutton without any muscle repair.
Depending on your unique needs, I may recommend a similar technique called a lower abdominoplasty, a type of tummy tuck that removes excess skin from the navel down without requiring the bellybutton to be repositioned. The incision is the same as that for a full tummy tuck and is equally concealable by underwear or bikini bottoms.
When Is a Mini Tummy Tuck the Best Option?
A fairly small percentage of patients are good candidates for a mini tummy tuck because it’s limited to people with minimal excess skin below the bellybutton. Women who have a small flap of skin in the middle of the lower abdomen and no muscle separation are the best candidates for a mini tummy tuck. Our mini tummy tuck before and after photos can help you see the types of concerns that are present prior to surgery.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Mini Tummy Tuck?
A mini tummy tuck addresses only the lower abdomen, so it may not be suitable for patients with excess skin or muscle laxity above the navel. The mini tummy tuck results are still impressive but won’t be quite as dramatic as those for a full tummy tuck.
Who Qualifies for a Mini Tummy Tuck?
As mentioned earlier, ideal candidates for a mini tummy tuck are those whose concerns are limited to the lower abdomen. Mini tummy tuck patients should have minimal skin laxity, be in good overall health, and have no need for muscle repair above the bellybutton. I will help you determine whether a mini or a full tummy tuck is right for you during your personal consultation.
How Many Sizes Do You Lose With a Mini Tummy Tuck?
The number of sizes you can lose after tummy tuck surgery varies, but patients often drop one to two clothing sizes depending on their starting point and overall body contouring goals.
Is a Mini Tummy Tuck Cheaper Than a Full Tummy Tuck?
Yes. A mini tummy tuck is typically less expensive than a full tummy tuck due to the reduced surgical time and complexity of the procedure.
Start Your Body Contouring Journey
As a plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring procedures and plastic surgery after weight loss, I’ve performed thousands of tummy tuck surgeries using a variety of techniques. If you’re considering a tummy tuck, request a consultation at our Marina del Rey practice near Los Angeles using the online form. Or call us at (310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment.
This post was originally written in February 2021 and has been updated in 2025.
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