Types of Tummy Tucks: Which One Is Right for You?

Feeling confident in your own body sometimes requires a little extra help. Despite countless hours at the gym and strict dieting, stubborn belly fat and excess skin can linger. It's no wonder that a tummy tuck has remained the 3rd most popular cosmetic surgery procedure over recent years. 

But not all tummy tuck procedures are the same. So, how do you know which type is right for you? To make this choice easier, Bookimed has reached out to top plastic surgeons for their expert insights. This article will walk you through each option and what sets them apart so you can understand what might work best for your body and goals.

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Tummy Tuck?
2. What Are the Different Types of Tummy Tucks?
3. Customizing Your Procedure: Additional Types of Tummy Tucks
4. Choosing the Right Type of Tummy Tuck
5. How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon?

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic plastic surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening the abdominal muscles. This procedure creates a smoother, firmer look and enhances the body contour.

👍 Common reasons why tummy tuck patients opt for this surgical procedure are:

• Post-pregnancy body changes, such as “diastasis recti”—the separation of rectus muscles.
• Loose abdominal skin after significant weight loss.
• Stubborn fat that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise due to aging or genetics.

GET A FREE CONSULTATION

🤩 The benefits of a tummy tuck include:

• Smooth, flat stomach: Creates a more toned appearance.
• Stronger core muscles: Helps restore separated abdominal muscles and tighten the abdominal wall.
• Improved posture: Strengthens the core, potentially reducing back pain.
• Boosted confidence: Enhances body image and self-esteem.

What Are the Different Types of Tummy Tucks?

There are 4 main types of tummy tucks, each addressing specific concerns and body shapes:

1. Standard (Full) Tummy Tuck

A standard tummy tuck is the most common abdominoplasty type.

👩🏻‍⚕️ How It's Done: In a full tummy tuck, the surgeon makes a horizontal incision between the hip bones just above the pubic area. Excess skin and underlying fat are removed, and the abdominal muscles are tightened. The belly button is often repositioned to create a natural look.

🎯 Goal: To remove a significant amount of excess skin and fat, tighten the abdominal wall, and create a flatter, more contoured abdomen.

👌 Best For: Patients with a lot of sagging skin and weakened abdominal muscles, typically after massive weight loss or pregnancy.

Results of a tummy tuck performed at Hospital de la Familia (Mexicali, Mexico)

2. Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck is a less invasive option.

👩🏻‍⚕️ How It's Done: A mini-abdominoplasty involves a smaller incision below the belly button. The procedure focuses on the lower abdomen, removing a small amount of lax skin and tightening muscles there. The belly button is left in place.

🎯 Goal: To target and refine the lower abdominal area with less invasive plastic surgery and shorter recovery time.

👌 Best For: Those with minor lower belly pooch, loose skin, or stretch marks in the pubic region.

Before and after pictures of a mini tummy tuck at Istanbul Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center (Istanbul, Turkey)

3. Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck surgery offers more extensive results than the standard abdominoplasty and is often paired with liposuction.

👩🏻‍⚕️ How It's Done: The extended tummy tuck goes beyond the standard procedure by addressing excess skin and fat on the flanks and lower back. The incision runs across the lower abdomen (above the pubic area) and extends to the sides, allowing for a more comprehensive contouring.

🎯 Goal: To remove excess skin and fat around the upper and lower abdomen, hips, and lower back.

👌 Best For: People with significant extra skin and fat around the abdomen and flanks, often following major weight loss or multiple pregnancies.

Before and after pictures of an extended tummy tuck at Dr. MED (Istanbul, Turkey)

4. Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck

The fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is the most comprehensive option. 

👩🏻‍⚕️ How It's Done: This procedure involves a horizontal incision along the pubic bone and a vertical incision along the middle of the abdomen. This layout creates a shape similar to a fleur-de-lis (a lily flower with three petals). It allows surgeons to remove excess tissue both horizontally and vertically, creating a more extensive contouring effect.

🎯 Goal: To reshape the abdomen significantly by removing a large amount of excess fat and skin.

👌 Best For: Patients who lost a lot of weight (45 kg or more), often after bariatric surgery.

GET A FREE QUOTE

Here’s a brief comparison of the 4 types of tummy tucks for your convenience: 

Parameter	Standard Tummy Tuck	Mini Tummy Tuck	Extended Tummy Tuck	Fleur-de-Lis
Incision Type and Size	Horizontal, hip to hip	Small, below the belly button (10-20 cm)	Longer incision across the abdomen and extending to the flanks	Horizontal & vertical (15-25 cm)
Focus Area	Entire abdomen	Lower abdomen	Abdomen, flanks, lower back	Entire abdomen
Belly Button	Repositioned	Left in place	Repositioned	Repositioned
Skin Excision	Moderate to significant	Minimal	Extensive	Very extensive
Best For	Post-pregnancy, weight loss	Minor belly pooch	Significant sagging on abdomen and sides	Extreme skin laxity after major weight loss
Recovery Period	2-8 weeks	2-6 weeks	4-12 weeks	4-12 weeks

Customizing Your Procedure: Additional Types of Tummy Tucks

Beyond the standard types of tummy tucks, additional options can further customize the procedure to suit individual needs:

1. Reverse Abdominoplasty

Reverse tummy tuck tightens and lifts the upper belly specifically.

👩🏻‍⚕️ How It's Done: The incision for a reverse tummy tuck is made under the breasts. The scars can often be hidden within the natural crease. The surgeon pulls the skin upward rather than downward, removing excess tissue in the upper abdomen. In many cases, surgeons can use this tissue for breast augmentation.

🎯 Goal: To remove hanging skin in the upper abdominal area and provide additional breast contouring, if needed.

👌 Best For: Individuals with sagging skin in the upper abdomen, typically after substantial weight loss or previous surgeries.

GET A FREE PERSONALIZED TREATMENT PLAN

2. Lipo-Abdominoplasty

Lipo-abdominoplasty combines the benefits of liposuction with a traditional tummy tuck. Although other types of tummy tucks remove some fat, lipo-abdominoplasty is more effective at targeting larger fat deposits.

👩🏻‍⚕️ How It's Done: The surgeon uses liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdomen and flanks before tightening the skin and muscles.

🎯 Goal: To provide a more extensive contouring of the entire midsection.

👌 Best For: Patients looking for more precise body sculpting than a traditional tummy tuck provides.

Before and after photos of a lipo-abdominoplasty at Kucukcekmece Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey)

Choosing the Right Type of Tummy Tuck

Each patient's needs and goals are unique, so it's important to weigh these aspects carefully when choosing between different types of tummy tucks:

1. Skin laxity 🥀

Determine where the majority of excess skin is located.

• Reverse abdominoplasty is ideal for loose skin in the upper belly, while mini tummy tucks target the lower abdomen.
• Extended and fleur-de-lis options address sagging across both the upper and lower abdomen, as well as other areas.

2. Fat deposits ⚖️ 

Assess the size and location of fat deposits.

• If stubborn fat is mainly around the lower abdominal region, a traditional tummy tuck procedure may suffice.
• For those with significant fat around the abdomen, waist, and flanks, lipo-abdominoplasty provides a more effective solution.

3. Muscle laxity 💪

Consider whether abdominal muscles need extensive tightening.

• Patients often experience weakened abdominal muscles post-pregnancy (diastasis recti) or after major weight loss. Procedures like the standard tummy tuck are effective for tightening these muscles. 
• If muscle separation is primarily in the upper midsection, reverse tummy tuck might be more suitable.

4. Desired outcome 🤩

Think about how dramatic a change you seek.

• If you're looking for a slight improvement in the lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck is a less invasive option with a shorter recovery time.
• For those seeking a more significant transformation, including contouring of the entire midsection, options like extended tummy tuck or lipo-abdominoplasty may be fitting.

5. Scarring considerations 🩹

If scarring is a major concern, discuss with your surgeon which procedure will minimize visible marks while still achieving your desired results.

• Mini tummy tucks result in smaller, more concealed scars.
• Extended and fleur-de-lis procedures involve more extensive scarring.

6. Recovery time and lifestyle ⏳

Evaluate how much downtime you can afford. If your lifestyle or job requires you to be active quickly, a tummy tuck procedure with a faster recovery time may be more suitable.

7. Consultation with a qualified surgeon 👨‍⚕️

Ultimately, the best way to choose between different types of tummy tucks is through a detailed consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They can assess your anatomy, discuss your goals, and recommend the procedure that aligns with your desired outcome and recovery expectations.

CONSULT WITH AN EXPERT

How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon?

Choosing the right plastic surgeon is key to a successful tummy tuck. Here’s how to do it:

1️⃣ Check board certification. Make sure you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon. This certification guarantees they have the proper training and follow the highest safety standards.

2️⃣ Assess experience. You want a surgeon who’s well-versed in the types of tummy tuck you're considering. Don’t hesitate to ask about their experience and look at before-and-after photos of their work.

3️⃣ Read reviews. Patient testimonials can give you a real sense of the surgeon’s skill and bedside manner.

4️⃣ Schedule a consultation. A good surgeon will listen, answer your questions, and give you a realistic idea of what to expect.

💚 Why choose Bookimed?

Searching for the right surgeon and clinic can feel overwhelming. That’s where Bookimed comes in. With our network of 1,500+ medical centers and 280+ board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in different types of tummy tucks, we make the process easier for you. Just leave a request, and your medical coordinator will help you find the perfect clinic and doctor based on your needs.

Related Articles

1. Is A Tummy Tuck Worth It for You? The Essential Guide to a Successful Abdominoplasty
2. 5 Best Countries to Get a Tummy Tuck Abroad
3. Where can I get a cheap tummy tuck — top 7 places