Mini vs full tummy tuck: which do I need?

The short answer: a mini tummy tuck treats only the skin below the belly button, with a shorter scar. A full tummy tuck treats the skin above and below the belly button, repairs the stomach muscles if they have separated and repositions the belly button. Which one you need depends on where your loose skin is and what your muscles are doing, not on how big an operation you would like.

The mini tummy tuck

A mini tummy tuck removes a small pouch of loose skin below the belly button. The scar is shorter and sits low, and the belly button itself is usually left where it is. It is a smaller operation.

It suits a fairly specific group of people: those with a small overhang of skin low on the tummy, good skin above the belly button and stomach muscles that have not separated.

The full tummy tuck

A full tummy tuck, or full abdominoplasty, removes loose skin and fat from the whole lower tummy, above and below the belly button. It also repairs the stomach muscles if they have pulled apart, which is very common after pregnancy and is called diastasis. The belly button is repositioned so it looks natural. The scar runs low across the tummy, usually below the bikini line, plus a small scar around the belly button.

It suits people with loose skin above as well as below the belly button, a tummy that bulges even when they are slim, or a gap between the muscles.

For people with a large amount of loose skin after major weight loss, there is also the fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, which adds a vertical scar to tighten the waist as well.

Why a mini is often not enough

Plenty of people come to see me hoping for a mini, because the scar is shorter and it sounds less daunting. That is completely understandable. But if the loose skin extends above the belly button, or the muscles have separated, a mini simply can not fix it. The result can look better below the belly button and unchanged above it, which is disappointing after any operation.

A simple test at home is to stand side on to a mirror and look at where the loose skin and the bulge actually are. If it is all low down and your tummy is flat when you tense it, a mini might be enough. If not, a full tummy tuck is more likely to give you the shape you want. I will always examine you properly before recommending either.

What if it is mostly fat, not skin?

If your skin is firm and the problem is a stubborn area of fat, liposuction may be the better choice. It removes fat, but it does not tighten loose skin. Liposuction of the waist or flanks is also often added to a tummy tuck for a smoother shape.

Recovery and cost

A full tummy tuck takes about three hours under general anaesthetic, with one night in hospital. Most people return to desk work after two to three weeks and to exercise from six weeks. A mini is a smaller operation, so recovery is often a little quicker, but you still need to avoid heavy lifting for several weeks.

My guide price for a tummy tuck starts from £6,995, and that includes the mini tummy tuck. Your quote depends on exactly what you need. The tummy tuck cost page explains what is included.

Timing

If you are planning more children, it is usually best to wait. A future pregnancy can stretch the skin and muscles again. Results are also best when you are close to a stable, healthy weight.

You can read more about both operations on my tummy tuck page.