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Plastic surgery · London

A mini tummy tuck, for lower-only laxity.

A low bikini-hidden scar, no umbilical relocation, and a 2 to 4 week recovery. Done by a BAAPS or BAPRAS plastic surgeon in a CQC-registered London hospital - with honest routing to full abdominoplasty when that is the right call.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private mini tummy tuck costs in London.

Indicative self-pay ranges across our vetted London plastic surgery centres.

In short

£8,500 to £13,500, home in 1 to 2 nights.

Procedure Indicative range
Consultation with a BAAPS/BAPRAS plastic surgeon £250–£450
Mini tummy tuck (mini abdominoplasty), alone £8,500–£13,500
Mini tummy tuck + 360 liposuction £12,000–£20,000
Mummy makeover (mini tuck + breast surgery) £14,000–£22,000
Full abdominoplasty (if mini is not the right call) £10,500–£16,500
Second-opinion review of quote and photos £250–£450

Prices vary by centre (Cadogan Clinic, London Bridge Cosmetic Surgery, HCA The Wellington, Cromwell BUPA, King Edward VII's), by surgeon seniority, by whether an overnight stay is included, and by combined procedures. Cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance and figures are self-pay.

When it helps

When mini is the right step - and when it is not.

The clinical picture that fits a mini abdominoplasty, and the signs that mean a full abdominoplasty or a mummy makeover is the honest answer.

  • Post-partum lower abdominal skin laxity

    Loose skin and stretch marks confined to below the umbilicus, with a firm upper abdomen. The classic mini indication.

  • Mild lower diastasis recti

    A small separation of the lower rectus muscles that plication can close through the mini incision, without a full upper dissection.

  • Small lower abdominal apron after weight loss

    A modest overhang after post-partum weight loss, with good upper abdominal tone. Not for major post-bariatric skin excess.

  • Persistent lower crease and infra-umbilical fold

    A fixed lower fold that does not resolve with weight loss or Pilates and is confined below the belly button.

  • Wanting a small, bikini-hidden scar

    A single 10 to 15 cm transverse scar low on the pubic hairline, without a vertical scar around the umbilicus.

  • Not for significant upper abdominal laxity

    If your skin is loose above the umbilicus, mini will underdeliver. A full abdominoplasty (with umbilical relocation) is the honest answer.

  • Not for severe diastasis or umbilical hernia

    Severe rectus divergence, an umbilical hernia, or a large post-pregnancy apron needs full abdominoplasty or a Fleur-de-Lis approach.

  • Red flag: unstable weight or active pregnancy planning

    Wait until your weight has been stable for 3 to 6 months, and until you have completed your family. Otherwise the result will not last.

Procedure options

Mini sits inside a family of options.

What each option on the consent form actually involves - and which fits which pattern of skin, fat and diastasis.

  • Mini abdominoplasty (this page)

    A low bikini-line scar of 10 to 15 cm. Removes lower abdominal skin and fat. No umbilical relocation. No upper abdomen dissection. Recovery 2 to 4 weeks.

  • Full abdominoplasty

    Longer hip-to-hip scar and a scar around a repositioned umbilicus. Removes upper and lower excess, plicates the full rectus. Recovery 4 to 6 weeks.

  • Extended and Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty

    For post-bariatric or 360 body contouring. Adds a vertical midline scar (Fleur-de-Lis) or extends the scar onto the flanks and back for major skin excess.

  • Mummy makeover

    Combines a mini or full abdominoplasty with breast uplift, augmentation or reduction, sometimes with liposuction. One anaesthetic, one recovery.

  • 360 body contouring with liposuction

    Adds VASER or standard liposuction to the flanks, back and hips at the same operation, for a circumferential result.

  • Renuvion (J-Plasma) skin tightening

    A helium-plasma energy device used sub-dermally to tighten mild laxity without excision. Not a substitute for excisional surgery when skin excess is real.

  • CoolSculpting (cryolipolysis)

    Non-surgical fat reduction only. Does not tighten skin, does not repair diastasis, and does not remove an apron. Different problem, different tool.

  • Second-opinion review

    A specialist review of your photos, quotes and consent forms - sometimes the answer is a different operation, or a different surgeon.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Mini abdominoplasty is a well-established plastic surgical operation. The things worth planning are DVT prophylaxis, seroma prevention, scar management and realistic revision rates.

  • General anaesthetic and enhanced recovery

    2 to 3 hours under GA, delivered by a consultant anaesthetist. Enhanced recovery pathways: warming, regional blocks and early mobilisation.

  • DVT and PE - real, mitigated

    DVT and PE risk 1 to 2%. Every patient gets a Caprini risk score, TED stockings, calf pumps and pharmacological prophylaxis when indicated.

  • Haematoma and seroma

    Haematoma under 2%. Seroma 5 to 10%, higher without drains or if compression is skipped. Drains for 24 to 48 hours and a garment for 4 to 6 weeks.

  • Wound problems in 5 to 10%

    Delayed healing at the scar ends, or a small area of edge necrosis. Higher in smokers - which is why we require 6 weeks smoke-free before surgery.

  • Permanent sensation change

    Numbness or altered sensation across the lower abdomen is universal early, and stays permanent in around 20 to 40%. Discussed before you consent.

  • Dog-ears and hypertrophic scar

    Small folds at the scar ends (dog-ears) in a minority. Hypertrophic or wide scar in 5 to 10%, more in darker skin types. Scar management from week 4.

  • Revision and conversion to full

    Revision surgery 5 to 10% - most commonly dog-ear correction or scar revision. A minority need conversion to full abdominoplasty for upper laxity.

  • Compression garment for 4 to 6 weeks

    Worn day and night for the first 4 weeks, then daytime only for a further 2 to 4 weeks. Reduces swelling, seroma and skin retraction.

  • Red flags after discharge

    Sudden calf pain or swelling, breathlessness, chest pain, a rapidly expanding bruise, fever, or purulent discharge - call the ward or go to A&E the same day.

Reading your consultation letter

The four sections that matter.

A good plastic surgery consultation letter covers your candidacy, examination findings, informed consent and the exact operation planned. Read these before you pay a deposit.

  • Header

    BMI, weight stability and smoking status

    BMI ideally under 28, weight stable for 3 to 6 months, smoke-free for 6 weeks before and after surgery.

  • Examination

    Diastasis, hernia and skin quality

    Rectus separation measured by finger-breadths, examination for umbilical or incisional hernia, and pinch test for upper versus lower laxity.

  • Consent

    Scars, sensation and revision rates

    Read carefully: the 10 to 15 cm bikini scar, the 20 to 40% permanent lower abdominal numbness, and a 5 to 10% revision rate.

  • Plan

    Mini, full or combined - and why

    A written statement of why mini has been offered (or ruled out), what plication has been planned, and whether combined liposuction or breast surgery is added.

Frequently asked

Mini tummy tuck: your questions, answered.

What is a mini tummy tuck and how is it different to a full abdominoplasty?

A mini tummy tuck (mini abdominoplasty) removes loose skin and fat from below the umbilicus through a low 10 to 15 cm bikini-hidden scar, without repositioning the belly button. A full abdominoplasty uses a longer hip-to-hip scar, dissects up to the ribs, moves the umbilicus and treats the whole abdomen. Mini is for lower-only laxity with a firm upper abdomen; full is for upper and lower laxity or severe diastasis.

Am I a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck?

Good candidates have loose skin and stretch marks confined to below the umbilicus, mild lower diastasis recti, good upper abdominal skin quality, a stable weight for 3 to 6 months, a BMI ideally under 28, and are non-smokers or willing to stop for 6 weeks. If your laxity extends above the belly button, or you have significant diastasis or an umbilical hernia, a full abdominoplasty will give a better result.

How much does a mini tummy tuck cost in the UK?

A mini abdominoplasty alone in a London plastic surgery centre is around £8,500 to £13,500. Combined with 360 liposuction, budget £12,000 to £20,000. A mummy makeover (mini tuck plus breast uplift, augmentation or reduction) is £14,000 to £22,000. Cosmetic surgery is not covered by private health insurance, so figures are self-pay.

What is the recovery like and when can I return to work?

You will need someone at home for the first week. Drains come out at 24 to 48 hours. Compression garment day and night for 4 weeks. Desk work returns at around 2 weeks, light exercise at 4 weeks and full gym or running at 6 weeks. Total recovery is 2 to 4 weeks for mini, versus 4 to 6 weeks for a full abdominoplasty.

What are the main risks?

Haematoma under 2%, seroma 5 to 10%, wound-healing problems 5 to 10%, DVT or PE 1 to 2% (mitigated with prophylaxis), permanent altered sensation across the lower abdomen in 20 to 40%, dog-ears at the scar ends, hypertrophic scar in 5 to 10%, and a 5 to 10% revision rate. A small minority need conversion to a full abdominoplasty.

What results should I realistically expect?

Around 85 to 90% patient satisfaction at 12 months, with a flatter lower abdomen, a tightened lower rectus and a low bikini-hidden scar. Mini treats the lower abdomen only - if your upper abdomen is ptotic, a mini will look under-corrected and a full abdominoplasty is the honest answer. Results are long-lasting if weight stays within 5 kilograms and pregnancy is complete.

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