Indications
If your main concern is a bulge below the level of your belly button and you have minimal skin laxity around the belly button, you may be a candidate for a mini-tummy tuck, or "partial abdominoplasty". This less complex procedure can be done under general anesthesia, or under local anesthesia with sedation.

A common indication is a woman with a relatively flat tummy, but one who has a small amount of loose skin above the pubic hair line or a previous C-section scar with a small bulge which hangs over the old incision line.

Intended Results
A smoother flatter abdomen, with an incision placed inconspicuously in the bikini line.

Procedure Description
An incision is made just above the pubic mound. The excess skin is cut away and the remaining skin is stitched back together again forming a tighter, firmer tummy. The navel remains in it's original place. The resulting permanent scar can be easily concealed by clothing or swim wear. After the procedure, you'll have a flatter, firmer tummy by excising loose skin and paunchiness in the lower abdomen.

Recuperation and Healing
Because an mini tummy tuck is a smaller procedure than a standard abdominoplasty, an overnight stay at the surgery center is usually not indicated. You can normally return to work 1-2 weeks following a mini-abdominoplasty.

Cost
Because partial abdominoplasty usually takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours, the fees may be about 30 to 40% lower than the fees charged for the full tummy tuck.