What Options Do I Have for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Tummy tucks aren’t one-dimensional procedures; this blog discusses the different types of abdominoplasty, including full tummy tucks, mini tummy tucks, and extended tummy tucks, who is a candidate for each, and what concerns they treat.

4 Min Read:

What Are the Different Types of Tummy Tucks?

Most people know about tummy tucks as one of the most popular body contouring procedures, but there are more options than the standard abdominoplasty for the correction of midsection skin and fat. 

Every patient is different and has different needs. For example, not everyone needs treatment of the entire midsection for a tummy tuck and may only require a less invasive surgery. This is why most aesthetic surgeons offer different types of tummy tucks, such as the full tummy tuck, the mini tummy tuck, and the extended tummy tuck.

What Does Each Type of Tummy Tuck Correct?

Each type of tummy tuck is designed to correct specific issues and is ideal for different candidates. We’ll discuss each below. 

Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck is what we consider to be a standard tummy tuck—it’s what people are usually referring to when they say tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. A standard tummy tuck treats: 

• Excess skin
• Pockets of fat
• Loose or separated abdominal muscles

The treatment area is the entire midsection, so the upper and lower abdominals. During this procedure, the surgeon will make an incision along the bikini line (right above the pubic area, similar to a C-section scar) and a second incision around the belly button. 

The abdominal muscles are surgically tightened and connected, creating a firmer midsection. The skin is redraped, the belly button is moved to a more natural position, and excess skin is removed. Some fat can be excised, or you can combine your procedure with liposuction for more fat removal.

Candidates for a full tummy tuck: 

• Have separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
• Have moderate concerns throughout the entire midsection
• Usually are post-partum or post-weight loss

Recovery from a full tummy tuck is moderate. There are about two weeks of downtime, followed by another two weeks of gradual increase in normal activity.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck is considered less invasive than a full tummy tuck and is ideal for a select group of patients with localized issues to the lower abdomen or tummy “pouch.” A mini tummy tuck treats: 

• Pockets of fat in the lower abdomen
• Minimal muscle laxity below the navel
• Loose skin

The treatment area is focused below the navel, treating localized fat and skin in that location. Patients seeking a mini tummy tuck might complain of a “belly pouch” or a “mom pouch.” A single incision is made along the lower abdomen, similar to that of a full tummy tuck, and the belly button is not treated. Sometimes liposuction is performed on the excess fat on the upper abdomen at the same time.

Excess skin and tissue are removed up to the belly button. The lower abdominal muscles will be tightened, and the skin will be redraped and sutured. Candidates for a mini tummy tuck: 

• Have minor concerns
• Concerns are only below the belly button
• Want a less invasive procedure
• Want a shorter recovery period

Recovery from a mini tummy tuck is shorter than that from a full tummy tuck, as the upper abdominals are not treated.

Extended Tummy Tuck

The extended tummy tuck is designed for patients with extensive skin laxity that encompasses the entire abdomen and part of the back and hips, as well. An extended tummy tuck treats: 

• Loose skin across the midsection, hips, and back
• Lax abdominal muscles
• Pockets of fat

An extended tummy tuck provides the most comprehensive skin tightening and body contouring results of any abdominoplasty. Because it is such an encompassing procedure, candidates for an extended tummy tuck are a more select group. Candidates for an extended tummy tuck are typically: 

• Post-weight loss patients

The reason this is such a small group is because the procedure itself is very selective, as it is relatively invasive and only necessary for specific reasons.

During an extended tummy tuck, your surgeon makes an incision that runs along the lower abdomen, above the pubic line and continues across the hips and onto the lower back. Similar to a full tummy tuck, your surgeon will surgically tighten the abdominal wall (the lower and upper abdomen) and redrape the skin for a more pleasing contour. The skin of the lower back and hips can also be tightened and the excess is trimmed away. 

Recovery may take a little longer as the incision is larger. However, most patients can return to work after about two weeks. 

Want to Learn Which Tummy Tuck Option Is Best in Southern California?

Schedule a consultation with an experienced aesthetic surgeon to find out which tummy tuck will give you the results you want. Call the experts at AesthetiCare Cosmetic Surgery Institute today at (949) 661-1700 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation with any of our Southern California locations.