York Jay Yates, MD

A full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdomen and generally (although not always) includes muscle repair, umbilicoplasty and removal of a larger amount of skin (about the amount of skin from above the umbilicus to the pubic region).

A mini-abdominoplasty involves tightening of the abdominal muscles from the umbilicus down as well as removal of a lesser amount of skin (about half of the skin from the umbilicus to the pubic region).

The best candidate for a mini-abdominoplasty has a small "pooch" and loose muscles in the lower abdomen with a tight upper abdomen.  Most commonly, I see this in otherwise fit women after pregnancy.

I have included a video of a mini-abdominoplasty that can help to demonstrate the procedure.   I have a video of a full abdominoplasty on my website as well.