A mini Tummy Tuck procedure will take less time than a full Tummy Tuck, but the exact duration of the surgery will be determined by the amount and type of work to be performed. In a mini tummy tuck procedure a small incision of approximately 6 inches (15 cm) is made just above the pubis, allowing themini Tummy Tuck muscle repair and redraping of the excess skin. Another key component of the mini Tummy Tuck is the use of liposuction to eliminate fat and reshape the abdomen. In most mini tummy tucks, the belly button is detached from the underlying tissue, then relocated and reattached. This means most mini Tummy Tuck patients will have lower bellybuttons, but this allows the skin of the upper abdomen, which mini tummy tucks are not designed to take care of, to redistribute in more pleasing fashion. Finally, before a bandage is applied, a temporary drainage tube is placed that will help eliminate the excess fluids.

A mini Tummy Tuck procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, and the patient is released a few hours after the procedure to recover in the comforts of their own home.

The mini Tummy Tuck provides a good alternative to abdominoplasty (the "full" Tummy Tuck) and liposuction alone. Usually, mini Tummy Tuck patients experience quicker recovery times than with a full Tummy Tuck, as the mini Tummy Tuck addresses a more isolated area and involves a single, smaller incision. Unlike traditional tummy tuck surgery, it does not tighten the abdominal muscles to narrow the waist. It is not used for removing fat deposits when they are small and the skin has a good elasticity. If this is your case, and diets and physical exercise do not produce the desired results, liposuction is the right thing for you.