"Although it is still significant surgery, many women are opting for a less-invasive version of a tummy tuck," says Dr. Alan Lim, cosmetic surgeon. Also called an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck typically involves an incision that goes from hip to hip.  A mini-tummy tuck's incision is half to two-thirds of that -- and has an easier and faster recovery period.

Most popular with women whose bellies do not return their pre-pregnancy flatness, the mini-tummy tuck is also helpful to women who have a pocket of tummy flab from past weight gain and sagging skin.  According to Dr. Lim, the mini-tummy tuck works best on relatively fit women who have a "little pooch."

"The skin loses its elastic memory," he explains, "so it doesn't matter how well you eat or how many sit-ups you do.  Unless you have surgery, that pooch is staying put."

While not very different from a standard tuck, the mini version can be done faster -- averaging just one and half hours, or less.  A traditional tuck can take twice as long.  The shorter surgery and smaller incision of the mini-tummy tuck are appealing to women who are on the fence about this surgery.  For either version, the patient is typically released to go home and recover on the same day as the surgery.  Recovery time depends on the patient, but averages two to three weeks.

As with its standard counterpart, the mini-tummy tuck does leave a scar -- but it's shorter than that of a traditional one.  "The scar is low, in the pubic area, so it can be covered by a bikini bottom.  But it cannot eclipse a C-section scar," says Dr. Lim who always emphasizes the risks, in addition to the benefits, of cosmetic surgery to his patients.

So, how do you know if a mini-tummy tuck will work for you? 

"You need to come in for a consult," says Dr. Lim.  "No doctor can determine the best surgery for you without an examination.  In fact, many patients come to me with a specific surgery in mind -- only to find that another procedure will better meet their needs."  That's one reason Dr. Lim wants to get the word out about the mini-tummy tuck.  "Some patients had put off the surgery thinking they needed a full abdominoplasty.  But for those wanting to get rid of a little pot belly and some loose skin, they were happy to hear they were candidates for the mini-tummy tuck."

Sutter Medical Group's Alan Lim, MD, FACS, is board-certified in plastic surgery. For more information, visit his Web page.