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.
Key Takeaways
- ⭐ Standard tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens muscles across the abdomen.
- ⭐ Mini tummy tuck targets the lower abdomen with a smaller incision.
- ⭐ Extended tummy tuck addresses the abdomen, flanks, and lower back.
- ⭐ Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck uses both horizontal and vertical incisions. Ideal for major skin laxity, often after massive weight loss.
- ⭐ Reverse abdominoplasty lifts and tightens the upper abdomen.
- ⭐ Lipo-abdominoplasty combines a tummy tuck with liposuction for enhanced contouring.
- 📌 Factors to consider: Skin and muscle laxity, fat location, desired results, scarring, and recovery time.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Tummy Tuck?
- What Are the Different Types of Tummy Tucks?
- Customizing Your Procedure: Additional Types of Tummy Tucks
- Choosing the Right Type of Tummy Tuck
- 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.
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🤩 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.
💡 Learn what to expect from the procedure in our comprehensive guide to tummy tucks.
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)
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is available at Hospital de la Familia in Mexicali, Mexico. The procedure may cost around $5,250 USD for a tummy tuck with Liposuction 360. Patients choose this clinic for Dr. Joaquin Ayala Del Muro's 32 years of experience and zero mortality record.
About the surgeon
Dr. Joaquin Ayala Del Muro is a board-certified plastic surgeon with 900+ procedures performed. He trained in Brazil under Ivy Pitanguy, a pioneer in plastic surgery. His specializations include full-body contouring and facial procedures. Patients benefit from his safety record and meticulous technique.
Procedure options
The clinic offers two main tummy tuck approaches:
- Basic tummy tuck - from $4,800 USD
- Tummy tuck with Liposuction 360 - $5,250 USD
A full package with extended hospital stay costs $6,500 USD.
What's included
The treatment package covers:
- Surgery and anesthesia
- 1-2 nights hospital stay
- Medical tests before surgery
- Compression garments
- Follow-up care
Recovery process
Most patients walk within 24 hours after surgery. The total recommended stay in Mexico is 5-7 days. Patients wear compression garments for 4-6 weeks post-op. Follow-up checks occur at 1 week and 6 weeks.
Hospital de la Familia holds accreditation from Mexico's top medical councils. Located near the US border, it serves many American patients. Consider consulting with Dr. Ayala about your body contouring options.
Hospital certificates and accreditation of quality
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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)
The tummy tuck procedure at Istanbul Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center in Istanbul, Turkey may cost around €4000-€4900. The clinic features world-class plastic surgeons like Prof. Dr. Gürhan Özcan, a 42-year veteran with 900+ procedures and EBOPRAS/ASPS certifications.
Experienced Plastic Surgery Team
Prof. Dr. Gürhan Özcan leads the team with 42 years of plastic surgery experience. He holds European Board certification and won two ASPS awards. Dr. Ergin Er performed over 10,000 procedures and won Turkey's top plastic surgery prize. Both trained in the USA.
Tummy Tuck Options
- Full abdominoplasty with 360° Vaser liposuction - €4900 including 2-night hospital stay
- Standard tummy tuck with waist liposuction - €4500 with 1 night hospitalization
- Mini tummy tuck with Vaser - €4000 package
The clinic uses Vaser liposuction for less bruising and faster healing. All packages include:
What's Included
- Surgery with general anesthesia
- 1-2 nights hospital recovery
- 6-7 nights 4-star hotel with breakfast
- VIP airport transfers
- Post-op medications and corset
- Follow-up consultation
The clinic has 4.8/5 ratings from 451 patients, with 94% recommending it. Patients typically stay 7-9 days in Turkey for recovery. The surgeons perform both full and mini tummy tuck techniques.
Consider contacting the clinic for personalized pricing and procedure details.
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| Tummy tuck | $3000 - $4500 |
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)
A tummy tuck at Dr. MED Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey may cost around 5,490 EUR with the current campaign offer. The procedure combines abdominoplasty with 360° VASER liposuction and diastasis repair, performed by Dr. Hasan Celik, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with 11 years of experience.
Procedure Details
The package includes full abdominoplasty with diastasis recti repair and 360° VASER liposuction. VASER ultrasound technology removes fat while tightening skin. Patients stay 2 nights in the hospital and 5 nights at a 4-star hotel.
What's Included
- 360° VASER liposuction (abdomen, flanks, lower back)
- Full abdominoplasty with diastasis repair
- 2 nights hospital stay with meals
- 5 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
- VIP airport transfers
- Pre-op consultation and blood tests
- General anesthesia and medications
About Dr. Celik
Dr. Hasan Celik specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery. With 900+ procedures performed, he holds certifications from EBOPRAS and the Turkish National Board. He maintains active memberships in ASPS and ISAPS.
Recovery Process
Patients can shower by day 3 and return to work within 7-8 days. The clinic provides daily doctor checks days 3-7 post-op. A compression garment is included to support healing.
The current offer saves 1,010 EUR off the regular 6,500 EUR price. Contact the clinic to learn more about this combined abdominal contouring procedure.
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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.
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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 |
- Method: All-Inclusive Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Special Deal
- Ergin Er is a top-rated tummy tuck surgeon and a winner of multiple national awards.
- Istanbul Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center serves over 4,000 patients for plastic procedures annually.
- Included Services: Consultation with a doctor, consultation with an anesthesiologist, preoperative tests, medications, consumable materials, compression garments, general anesthesia, follow-up examination, follow-up visit, 5* hotel, transfer airport-clinic-airport.
- Stay Info: 2 days stay in the hospital, 6 days stay in the hotel, included in the price.
- Technique: Mommy Makeover (breast reduction or lift, tummy lipo, tummy tuck, diastases correction)
- Muhammet Mustafa Aydinol specializes in advanced plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery techniques.
- Dr. MED Clinic boasts a 98.5% success rate for mommy makeover procedures.
- Included Services: Consultation with a plastic surgeon, consultation with an anesthesiologist, general anesthesia, post-operative care, post-op medications, blood tests, medications, hotel, breakfast only, full board, hospitalization, VIP transfer.
- Stay Info: 2 days in the hospital, 5 days in the hotel, included in the price.
- Technique: Premium tummy tuck with no implant applicable
- Dr. Phatcharasak Kraisornphongsakul Md is board certified in plastic surgery since 2000.
- ID Clinic Bangkok has a 96% success rate for tummy tuck procedures.
- Included Services: Chest X-ray, complete blood count (CBC), consultation with a plastic surgeon, hospitalization, afterward hotel stay, transfer to the hospital.
- Stay Info: 1 day stay in the hospital, 5 days stay in the hotel, included in the price.
- Dr. Murat Yaman treats up to 500 patients annually, ensuring high patient satisfaction.
- Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital serves patients from the CIS, Africa, and Arab League States most often.
- Included Services: Consultation with a doctor, general anesthesia, blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), consultation with an anesthesiologist, chest X-ray, language assistance, biochemistry blood test, consultation with a plastic surgeon, full board (breakfast+lunch+dinner+drinks), hospitalization + afterward hotel stay, transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport.
- Stay Info: 3 days stay in the hospital, 3 days stay in the hotel, included in the price.
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.
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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.
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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.
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All medical content on this page is prepared by authors with specialized medical education and reviewed by certified physicians in the relevant field. Medical review by Ergin Er, Plastic surgeon.
Last updated: September 19, 2024.
- Statistics: Figures are based on Bookimed’s internal database December 2025, which includes analysis of 12,450 patient requests across 3 accredited clinics in Mexico.
- Pricing: Cost information is provided directly by Bookimed’s partner clinics and updated regularly to reflect current 2025 market conditions. Actual expenses may differ depending on case complexity, surgeon expertise, and clinic location.
- Clinical Data: Treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction figures are collected from Bookimed’s verified clinic database and supported by data from peer-reviewed medical sources such as PubMed, The Lancet, JAMA, and NEJM (2023–2025).
All data is provided for general informational purposes and may not represent individual results or experiences.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022). Tummy tuck. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tummy-tuck/about/pac-20384892
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2023). Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Healthline. (2020). Everything You Want to Know About a Mini Tummy Tuck. https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/mini-tummy-tuck
- Healthline. (2021). What to Know About an Extended Tummy Tuck. https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/extended-tummy-tuck
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2016). What is a reverse abdominoplasty and who needs it? https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-is-a-reverse-abdominoplasty-and-who-needs-it