A lot of women have questions about the difference between a full abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck) and a mini-abdominoplasty.

Although the terms sometimes mean slightly different things to different practitioners, in my practice a mini-adominoplasty involves a smaller incision and less dissection, and no scar around the bully button.  Unfortunately, this also usually means less result.  The reason is that I cannot get as much skin removed, and I certainly cannot achieve as much fascial plication.  a full abdominoplasty involves more dissection, more plication, and a scar around the belly button, but also a typically more dramatic result.

So who gets a mini?  Although most women I see are better candidates for a full tummy tuck, occasionally I see a lady who has just the right combination of tightness above the belly button and looseness bleow that I think they will get a reasonable result from a mini.  And, as always, my job is to present them with options and let thaem decide. 

And while some women are really concerned about the scar around the belly button in a full tummy tuck, most of these women are not revealing their tummies to the world anyway, so if they are able to get a good enough scar that they feel comfortable with a bare midriff-great.  Otherwise they still usually derive benefit from clothes fitting better and having the abdomen be tighter.

The lower scar from either a full or a mini I try to keep very low, so as to hide under underwear or a bathing suit (perhaps not all styles!).  Usually this is an acceptable tradeoff to people for a better shape.