There is tummy tuck and then there's mini tummy tuck - and depending on what exactly you want to accomplish, it would be wise to understand the difference between the two. The mini has been an up and coming trend worthy of looking into.

The only real difference between the two types of tummy tuck surgeries is that with one, a smaller area on the body is operated on. The mini tummy tuck entails a small incision with the intent to manage the lower abdomen area. A normal tummy tuck covers the entire abdomen.

The tummy tuck (also called an abdominoplasty) and mini abdominoplasty have quite a few similarities and a few differences. The most apparent difference is that since the area being covered is from the belly button to the bikini area, a small incision is necessary as opposed to a much larger one as in regular abdominoplasty. Factors that do not differ between both types of surgeries are the health requirements in order to be considered a viable candidate for the procedure, pre-surgery preparation and the technique used by the doctor.

The full abdominoplasty will leave you with a scar that is much larger than if you opt for the partial variety. The reason for this is that the incision made for a full abdominal in this case goes from one hipbone to the other.

There are a couple more notable differences between the two commonly available types of cosmetic surgery for stomachs.

Patients who opt for the partial abdominoplasty experience less recovery time (two hours or less) though the surgery is done under general anesthesia. Patients of major can find themselves in the recovery room anywhere from five hours or more, depending on their health situation. This too is done under general anesthesia, with the addition of an inserted drainage tube adding to the list of post-op concerns.

In case you are planning on having children or adding to your family in the future, it is strongly advised not to opt for tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck surgery as of yet. In the same way, if you intend to lose a lot of weight you should not be thinking about getting a body-altering surgery done until after you have completed your weight loss.

Since there is more than one choice available, and each has attributes that may or may not work better for you, you should carefully consider all similarities and differences before finally making a decision. Meet with your surgeon and discuss which will be the best for you. With your doctor's advice, you should be able to confidently decide between a tummy tuck and a mini tummy surgery.