Mini Tummy Tuck Bellevue, WA

A mini tummy tuck is a focused form of abdominoplasty that removes excess skin from the lower abdomen, below the belly button. The procedure uses a shorter incision than a full tummy tuck and may include limited muscle tightening when needed, making it best suited for patients with mild lower abdominal laxity.

A mini tummy tuck treats a smaller area than traditional tummy tuck surgery. The belly button is generally left in place, and the correction stays below the navel. Patients with loose skin above and below the belly button, more extensive muscle separation, or broader abdominal concerns may need a full tummy tuck instead.

A mini tummy tuck is best for localized changes in the lower abdomen rather than laxity across the entire stomach.

It can address:

• Loose skin below the belly button
• A persistent lower abdominal bulge
• Mild skin laxity after pregnancy or weight loss
• A small amount of excess skin that folds over the lower abdomen
• Limited lower abdominal muscle laxity in selected patients
• Contour concerns that have not improved with exercise or weight stability

A mini tummy tuck isn’t a weight-loss procedure, and it won’t correct loose skin throughout the entire abdomen.

A mini tummy tuck focuses on the lower abdomen and uses a shorter incision placed low enough to stay concealed beneath most underwear and swimwear.

• Anesthesia: Anesthesia is selected according to the surgical plan and the amount of correction required.
• Low abdominal incision: Dr. Tseng places the incision across the lower abdomen, with the length determined by how much skin needs to be removed.
• Lower abdominal correction: Excess skin is removed, and limited muscle tightening may be performed when the lower abdominal wall needs additional support.
• Liposuction when appropriate: Liposuction can be added when localized fat is affecting the contour around the abdomen or waist.
• Closure: The remaining skin is redraped and the incision is closed with attention to tension and scar placement.

Unlike a full tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck generally does not require repositioning the belly button.

The change in the lower abdomen is visible early, though swelling can hide some of the definition at first. The contour becomes clearer over the following weeks as swelling settles and the tissues soften.

Final scar maturation takes longer. The incision may look pink or firm early in recovery, then soften and fade over the following months.

A smaller operation still requires careful judgment. The incision has to be planned around clothing, the amount of skin removed has to match the abdomen, and the final contour needs to look natural when you stand, sit, and move.

Dr. Mark Tseng brings more than 20 years of experience in cosmetic plastic surgery and training through NYU, Mount Sinai, and Temple University. His approach to body contouring emphasizes careful planning, tissue handling, scar care, and natural-looking proportions.