Mini Tummy Tuck Cost and Procedure Guide

If you're looking for a way to achieve a flatter, more toned midsection without a lot of downtime, a mini tummy tuck might be right for you. Read on to find out more about the procedure and what it might cost.

What Is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

A mini tummy tuck (aka mini or partial abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat between the belly button and the pubic area. Not only can this surgery be a powerful way to contour the lower abdominal area and tighten the lower abdominal muscles, but it can also replace a C-section scar with a smaller scar that's hidden below the panty line.

A mini tummy tuck can also be combined with complementary procedures — such as liposuction and a breast lift — as part of a more comprehensive mommy makeover.

Benefits

Some common benefits of a mini tummy tuck may include:

• Boosting self-confidence
• Eliminating some stretch marks located below the belly button
• Providing a more contoured waistline
• Replacing a C-section scar with a lower scar that becomes a thin line

Potential Side Effects

Though mini tummy tuck surgery is typically considered safe, side effects may include:

• Allergic reaction to anesthesia
• Fluid accumulation under the skin
• Infection
• Irregular scarring

Candidates

If you have a tummy pooch (possibly after pregnancy or weight loss) that doesn't flatten with diet or exercise, a mini tummy tuck can be an effective solution. While mini tummy tucks are usually performed on women, men can also get them.

You may be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck if you:

• Are within your recommended weight range
• Aren't planning future pregnancies
• Need minimal muscle repair below your belly button
• Want a scar revision after a C-section
• Want to tighten sagging skin on your lower abdomen

You may not be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck if you:

• Have a roll of skin and fat that forms above your waist when you bend over
• Have given birth to two or more children
• Need significant abdominal muscle repair and tightening

How Much Does a Mini Tummy Tuck Cost?

The national average cost* for a mini tummy tuck is $6,247, but it can range between $5,037 and $11,873.¹ The final price will depend on a variety of factors, including the complexity of your particular surgery. For instance, add-ons like abdominal muscle repair and liposuction can increase the total cost of your procedure.

Average cost of a mini tummy tuck by state/district

The cost of a mini tummy tuck also depends on where you live — a plastic surgeon in an area with a higher cost of living will typically charge more.

Here is a breakdown of the average cost* of a mini tummy tuck by all 50 states and the District of Columbia:¹

How Does a Mini Tummy Tuck Work?

A mini tummy tuck is performed by a plastic surgeon in an outpatient surgical center or an office-based facility. Here's how the procedure works:

1. You will be put under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation.
2. The surgeon will make a single incision at the bikini line, about an inch below any existing C-section scar.
3. They will remove excess skin and fat, stretching the skin downward as they smooth and adjust it.
4. If needed, they can tighten or repair the underlying abdominal muscles.
5. They will close the incision with stitches and cover it with surgical bandages.

The procedure takes two to three hours, and you can go home a few hours after it's done. You may be groggy from the anesthesia, so you'll need a trusted friend or family member to drive you and take care of you for at least 24 hours after surgery.

Mini vs. Full Tummy Tuck: Key Differences

A mini tummy tuck is a much more limited procedure than a full tummy tuck. That's because a mini tummy tuck is only performed on the lower abdomen, while a full tummy tuck targets the entire abdominal area.

Take a look at this chart for a summary of the differences between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck:

Below is a more detailed explanation of the key differences between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck:

Incisions and scarring

During a full tummy tuck, the surgeon makes two incisions — one in the lower abdomen and a second near the belly button — so scarring is more obvious. A mini tummy tuck requires only one incision, typically leaving a smaller scar (usually less than 6 inches long) that's hidden below the panty line.

Conditions treated

If you're dealing with diastasis recti — separation of the abdominal muscles — a full tummy tuck is a better way to correct it. While this condition can occur above and below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck would only repair the diastasis below the belly button, leaving a noticeable bulge in the upper abdomen. Also, the surgeon can reshape the belly button during a full tummy tuck but not during a mini tummy tuck.

Recovery and cost

Many people can go back to work a week or two after a mini tummy tuck, while a full tummy tuck requires up to a month of recovery. However, both procedures require limited physical activity for at least four weeks to ensure proper healing and optimal results.

A full tummy tuck’s average cost^* is $7,983, with a price range between $6,253 and $15,749. A mini tummy tuck’s average cost* is $6,247, with a price range between $5,037 and $11,873.¹

If you're wondering whether a mini tummy tuck is worth it, it's important to be realistic about what this surgery can achieve. A full tummy tuck is a bigger procedure that offers more dramatic results, while a mini tummy tuck is a smaller procedure that offers more limited results.

Mini Tummy Tuck Recovery

Here's what you can expect during recovery from a mini tummy tuck:

• Bed rest. Recovery from a mini tummy tuck does not require significant bed rest. You can get up and walk the first day, though you may be slightly hunched over at the waist. Over the first week of recovery, you will gradually be able to stand more upright.
• Bleeding, bruising and swelling. A small amount of incisional bleeding is normal after a mini tummy tuck, as are bruising and swelling. You can expect swelling to peak five days after surgery and to recede every day afterward. You'll need to wear a compression garment for six to eight weeks after surgery to reduce swelling and bruising, help loose skin retract and prevent fluid collection.
• Exercise. Aggressive activity after a mini tummy tuck can lead to excessive bleeding and swelling, which can interfere with healing. That's why it's important to avoid strenuous activities like cardio exercise and heavy lifting until at least a month after surgery.
• Pain management. While the anesthesia should keep you from feeling pain during mini tummy tuck surgery, you can expect some discomfort during recovery. Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication for the first few days and recommend over-the-counter pain medication afterward as needed.
• Recovery time. Most people can resume work a week after a mini tummy tuck, but if your surgery involved muscle repair, you may need a second week of recovery.
• Scarring. It's normal for the edges of your scar to look elevated or bunched early on. After about four weeks, you can start applying a silicone gel to reduce the scar's visibility. Scars that are red or dark in color may be treated with a Vbeam® laser as soon as four weeks after surgery.

To help reduce complications and speed up recovery time, be sure to follow your surgeon's recommendations.

Mini Tummy Tuck Results

You may see some results immediately after surgery, with full results visible about six weeks later. That's how much time it takes for all the swelling to go down and your skin to relax. And mini tummy tuck results are considered permanent, barring pregnancy or major weight gain. You can maintain these results with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Financing a Mini Tummy Tuck With The CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for a mini tummy tuck and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Michael Niccole, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Michael Niccole is the medical director of CosmetiCare Plastic Surgery Center & MedSpa in Newport Beach, California, which he co-founded in 1982. He specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, nose and body and was voted OC Weekly’s Best Cosmetic Surgeon multiple times.

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.