Different Types of Tummy Tucks: What Am I a Candidate For?

A tummy tuck can be a useful option when the abdominal area doesn’t respond to diet and exercise, especially after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Loose skin, stretched muscles, and persistent bulges may remain even when you’ve reached a stable weight. This surgery addresses those concerns by tightening the area and removing excess tissue.

At Pure Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL, we offer different types of tummy tuck procedures depending on your needs and anatomy. Each approach is suited for a specific range of concerns, from minimal loose skin to more extensive excess. Choosing the right method will involve a detailed conversation between you and your surgeon about your goals and physical condition.

What Is a Tummy Tuck and What Can It Treat? 

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening the underlying muscles. It’s often chosen by patients who have experienced changes in their midsection due to pregnancy, aging, or weight fluctuations.

Patients consider a tummy tuck when they have loose or hanging skin, stretched abdominal muscles, or a bulge that doesn’t improve with exercise. It can also be helpful in cases where the skin has lost its elasticity and no longer contracts naturally. There are different types of tummy tucks, and each one targets a unique set of concerns.

Mini Tummy Tuck

What It Is

A mini tummy tuck focuses on the lower part of the abdomen, specifically the area below the belly button. During this surgery, we remove a smaller amount of excess skin and fat. This procedure does not involve repositioning the belly button or repairing the abdominal muscles, and the incision is typically shorter than with a full tummy tuck. Recovery is usually shorter as well, since the changes are less extensive.

Who It’s For

This option is best for patients who are close to their ideal weight and mainly struggle with a lower abdominal pouch. If you have loose skin limited to the area beneath the belly button, you may be a good candidate. You should not expect this approach to address upper abdominal laxity or significant muscle separation.

Full (Standard) Tummy Tuck

What It Is

A full tummy tuck, also known as a standard abdominoplasty, addresses both the upper and lower abdomen. During surgery, we remove excess skin and fat from the entire abdominal area and tighten the muscles along the midline. We also reposition the belly button to maintain natural proportions after the skin is redraped.

Who It’s For

We typically recommend a full tummy tuck for patients who have loose skin above and below the belly button, as well as muscle separation through the center of the abdomen. If you have had multiple pregnancies or lost a significant amount of weight, this approach may be the best way to restore firmness and shape. It can also be helpful for patients with abdominal wall laxity that affects posture or causes discomfort. You should have a stable weight and no plans for future pregnancies to maintain the results.

Extended Tummy Tuck

What It Is

An extended tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat not only from the front of the abdomen but also from the flanks and sides of the waist. We extend the incision beyond the hip bones to allow for broader contouring. Like a full tummy tuck, this option includes muscle repair and belly button repositioning. The extra length of the incision gives us access to tissue even in the lower part of the back, which means we can address a wider area in one surgery.

Who It’s For

We often recommend an extended tummy tuck for patients who have lost a large amount of weight and now have lax skin extending across the sides of their abdomen. If your skin hangs or folds beyond the front of your stomach, this method gives us more control in shaping your overall silhouette. It is also useful for patients whose weight loss has affected the tone of their waistline, not just the front of the body.

Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck

What It Is

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is a technique that removes excess skin both vertically and horizontally across the abdomen. In addition to the standard horizontal incision along the bikini line, we make a vertical incision up the midline of the abdomen. With this, we can tighten the waist from side to side as well as from top to bottom. We usually recommend this method when a standard or extended tummy tuck would not remove enough loose skin to create a smooth result. Although it involves additional scarring, many patients feel the trade-off is worth it for the level of reshaping it can provide.

Who It’s For

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck works best for patients who have undergone massive weight loss and have significant skin laxity across the entire midsection. If you notice loose folds in multiple directions, especially around the center of the abdomen, this method may give you a better contour than other approaches. It can also be appropriate if previous abdominal surgeries have left irregularities that simpler techniques cannot correct.

Drainless Tummy Tuck

What It Is

A drainless tummy tuck uses a technique called progressive tension suturing to close the space between the skin and muscles without leaving room for fluid buildup. Instead of placing surgical drains to collect fluid, we carefully secure the skin down internally during the surgery. Drainless surgery promotes a more comfortable recovery, with less maintenance required after the procedure. It also helps reduce swelling and promotes better skin adherence to the underlying tissues.

Who It’s For

We often recommend a drainless tummy tuck for patients who want the benefits of a flatter, firmer abdomen but prefer to avoid the inconvenience of managing drains after surgery, and who meet the BMI requirements. At Pure Plastic Surgery, Dr. Wegerif specializes in drainless tummy tucks and has refined this method to maximize both the surgical result and the recovery experience. During your consultation, we will evaluate whether a drainless approach is the best fit for your anatomy and goals.

Tummy Tuck With Liposuction

At Pure Plastic Surgery, we perform flank liposuction with all tummy tuck procedures. This added contouring helps enhance the natural curves of the waistline, especially in female patients. Including liposuction of the flanks during a tummy tuck allows us to shape the body more precisely and avoid the boxy appearance that sometimes results from abdominal surgery without this additional step.

Unsure Which Tummy Tuck Is Right for You? Give Us a Call

Choosing the right type of tummy tuck can make a meaningful difference in how your abdomen looks and feels after surgery. At Pure Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL, we offer several approaches to match the amount of skin, fat, and muscle laxity you may have. We can help you decide on the best method based on your physical needs and the outcome you want to achieve. To schedule a consultation, please call 786-245-7622 or contact us through our online form.