Mini Tummy Tucks to Extended Tummy Tucks: Understanding Your Options (Updated 2024)

Loose abdominal skin comes in many forms. That’s why there isn’t just one form of tummy tuck. At my Scottsdale-area practice, I offer 4 main tummy tuck techniques:

Mini Tummy Tuck

Also called a partial abdominoplasty, this technique uses the most conservative approach. It’s a good option for stretched skin and muscles beneath the belly button only and when the belly button doesn’t need to be repositioned. Learn more about who’s a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck in our related blog post.

Full Abdominoplasty

This traditional tummy tuck procedure provides a more comprehensive solution when the whole abdomen has stretched muscles and skin laxity. It removes excess skin, strengthens weakened abdominal muscles, and reshapes the belly button for a tauter, more contoured midsection.

The incisions for a full abdominoplasty are more extensive than with a mini tummy tuck. The Aesthetic Society illustrates both types of incisions.

Lipoabdominoplasty

This is the latest modification of a full abdominoplasty. Liposuction is used concurrently to further sculpt the patient’s hips, back, and the remaining abdominal wall. Sometimes referred to as the Brazilian tummy tuck, this technique can give the best outcome for the majority of our patients.

Circumferential Abdominoplasty

This extended tummy tuck is most common for people who have experienced massive weight loss. When people lose a lot of weight, loose skin can encompass the entire midsection and the lower body. People who have loose skin in the thighs, buttocks, hips, waist, lower back, and abdomen can benefit from this option.

To learn more about your tummy tuck options, schedule your consultation by calling us at (480) 466-7355 or using our online form to get in touch.