At Bellava MedAesthetics & Plastic Surgery Center, 182 Rte 117 Bypass Rd, Bedford Hills, NY10507, in Westchester County, tummy tucks, mini tummy tucks and liposuction are performed byDr. Chang Soo Kim, MD, a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, in Bellava’s own Joint Commission accredited surgical suite.A tummy tuck treats the whole abdomen, a mini tummy tuck treats the area below the belly button, and liposuction removes fat without removing skin. Which one suits you is decided at aconsultation with Dr. Kim.
Side by side
| Tummy tuck | Mini tummy tuck | Liposuction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it treats | The whole abdomen: loose skin and fat above and below the belly button, and stretched or separated stomach muscles | The lower abdomen only, below the belly button | Fat — not loose skin, not muscle |
| How it works | Horizontal incision between the belly button and pubic area; muscles repaired; skin and fat removed; belly button repositioned | Shorter incision; skin and fat below the belly button removed; belly button not moved | Fat removed through small incisions from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, hips or thighs |
| Typical candidate | Loose skin or muscle separation that reaches above the belly button, often after pregnancy or weight loss | A small amount of loose skin or fat below the belly button, with good muscle tone above it | Firm skin with a pocket of fat that has not changed with diet and exercise |
| At Bellava | Surgery by Dr. Chang Soo Kim, MD, American Board of Plastic Surgery certified — outpatient, home the same day | Surgery by Dr. Kim as part of a tummy tuck, mommy makeover, Brazilian butt lift or fat-transfer breast augmentation | |
| Back to desk work | About 2–3 weeks | About 1–2 weeks | Depends on the operation it is part of |
| Exercise | About 6 weeks, with Dr. Kim’s clearance | About 4–6 weeks | Planned with your surgery |
| Cost | Quoted at a free consultation — surgeon, anesthesia and facility together | ||
Recovery times are general and differ from person to person. Results vary, and no procedure is guaranteed to give a particular result.
Tummy tuck: the whole abdomen
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is for loose skin and fat across the abdomen and stomach muscles that have separated, often after pregnancy or a large weight loss. Dr. Kim makes a horizontal incision between the belly button and the pubic area, repairs the muscle wall, removes the extra skin and fat and repositions the belly button. Typical candidates are at or near their goal weight and in good general health; a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss operation. Most patients return to desk work in about 2–3 weeks and to exercise at about 6 weeks, with Dr. Kim’s clearance, wearing a compression garment in the early weeks.
Mini tummy tuck: below the belly button
A mini tummy tuck treats only the lower abdomen. Dr. Kim uses a shorter incision, the belly button is not moved, and the muscles are not repaired across the whole abdomen. It usually suits someone with a small amount of loose skin or fat below the belly button and good muscle tone above it, who is not planning another pregnancy. Most patients return to work and light activity in about 1–2 weeks and to strenuous exercise at 4–6 weeks.
Liposuction: fat, not skin
Liposuction removes fat. It does not tighten loose skin or repair stretched muscles, so on its own it usually suits firm skin with a pocket of fat. At Bellava, surgical liposuction is done by Dr. Kim as part of atummy tuck, a mommy makeover, a Brazilian butt lift or a fat-transfer breast augmentation — for example, liposuction of the flanks, hips or thighs added to a tummy tuck in the same operation, with one recovery. If firm skin and a pocket of fat is the whole story, non-surgicallaser lipo or CoolSculpting at Bellava may be an option, with no surgical recovery.
Mommy makeover: more than one area at once
A mommy makeover combines a tummy tuck with breast surgery (augmentation, lift or reduction) and often liposuction, in one operation with Dr. Kim. Most patients need about 2–6 weeks of recovery, depending on which procedures are combined.
How to choose
- Is it loose skin, fat, or both? Loose skin needs a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck; fat alone may be a liposuction or non-surgical conversation.
- Is it only below the belly button? That can point to a mini tummy tuck; above it as well usually points to a full tummy tuck.
- Were the stomach muscles stretched by pregnancy? Muscle repair is part of a full tummy tuck.
- Are you planning another pregnancy? Most surgeons advise waiting until afterwards.
- Is more than one area bothering you? A mommy makeover treats the abdomen and breasts in one operation.
The right choice is decided at a consultation with Dr. Kim, after he examines you — not from a chart. Read what happens at your consultation.
Your consultation with Dr. Kim
Your first consultation is free, private and without obligation. Dr. Kim listens to your goals, examines your abdomen, explains which option fits, where any scar would sit and what recovery involves, and gives you a quote that covers the surgeon, anesthesia and the facility together. Financing is available through Cherry or CareCredit, subject to approval (see financing options). Surgical consultations are not booked online: send the request form, or call or text (914) 809-9693, and Bellava’s patient coordinator will get back to you to set a time. Patients come from across Westchester — Mount Kisco, Katonah, Chappaqua, Bedford, Somers and White Plains — and from Greenwich, CT. You can see his patients’ results in the before & after gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck and liposuction?
A tummy tuck treats the whole abdomen: loose skin and fat are removed, the stomach muscles are repaired and the belly button is repositioned. A mini tummy tuck treats only the lower abdomen, below the belly button, through a shorter incision, and the belly button is not moved. Liposuction removes fat; it does not remove loose skin or repair muscle. At Bellava MedAesthetics & Plastic Surgery Center in Bedford Hills, Westchester County, Dr. Chang Soo Kim, MD, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, performs all three surgically.
Should I get a tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck?
It depends on how far the loose skin and muscle separation reach. When they are only below the belly button and the muscles above it are firm, a mini tummy tuck may be enough. When they reach above the belly button, or the stomach muscles were stretched by pregnancy, a full tummy tuck is usually the conversation. Dr. Kim examines you and decides which, if either, fits at your consultation.
Is liposuction an alternative to a tummy tuck?
Only for some people. Liposuction removes fat but leaves loose skin and separated muscles as they are, so it usually suits someone with firm skin and a pocket of fat. At Bellava, surgical liposuction is done by Dr. Kim as part of a tummy tuck, a mommy makeover, a Brazilian butt lift or a fat-transfer breast augmentation. For a pocket of fat with good skin, non-surgical laser lipo or CoolSculpting at Bellava may also be worth discussing.
How does recovery differ?
Each surgery is outpatient at Bellava, so you go home the same day. After a full tummy tuck most patients return to desk work in about 2–3 weeks and exercise at about 6 weeks, with Dr. Kim’s clearance. After a mini tummy tuck most return to work and light activity in about 1–2 weeks and exercise at 4–6 weeks. Liposuction recovery depends on the operation it is part of; a mommy makeover usually needs 2–6 weeks. Laser lipo has no surgical recovery. Everyone heals differently, and Dr. Kim gives you a plan for your own surgery.
What is a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover is a tummy tuck combined with breast surgery (augmentation, lift or reduction) and often liposuction, in one operation with Dr. Kim. It is for changes after pregnancy in more than one area, with a single recovery instead of several.
Will there be a scar?
A full tummy tuck leaves a permanent horizontal scar between the belly button and the pubic area, placed to sit below the bikini line. A mini tummy tuck uses a shorter incision in the same area. Liposuction uses small incisions. Dr. Kim shows you where yours would sit at your consultation.
Which one is right for me?
That is decided at a consultation with Dr. Kim, not online. He looks at your skin, the stomach muscles and where the fat sits, talks about your goals and any plans for future pregnancy, and recommends what fits — including telling you if a non-surgical option would suit you better. No result is guaranteed, and results vary from person to person.
How do I book a consultation with Dr. Kim?
Call or text (914) 809-9693, or send the consultation request form on this page. Surgical consultations are not booked online: Bellava’s patient coordinator gets back to you to set a time. Your first consultation with Dr. Kim is free, and the quote covers the surgeon, anesthesia and the facility together.