You’ve put in the effort—countless workouts, mindful eating, and maybe even a lifestyle overhaul—yet that sagging belly skin refuses to tighten up. No matter how much you tone and strengthen your core, some areas won’t tighten. This can happen because skin elasticity naturally declines over time. Muscles can weaken and separate within the abdomen, and fat may cling in certain areas.

Weight changes and pregnancy can accelerate these processes, leaving many people with a midsection they feel unhappy with.

In his private plastic surgery practice in Miami, FL, triple board-certified plastic, general, and trauma surgeon Dr. Christopher Craft offers tummy tucks attuned to individual needs. He understands the frustrations that extra skin can cause, and that’s why we offer solutions tailored to you.

Many patients ask whether a mini or full tummy tuck suits their needs, so we cover the two in today’s blog. Understanding the difference can help you decide the right path to a sleeker, more confident you.

Full Tummy Tuck

A standard tummy tuck, or full abdominoplasty, is a complete solution for loose belly skin and underlying muscle separation. It covers both parts of the abdomen, including the upper (above the navel) and lower (from the navel to the top of the pubic region.)

Dr. Craft creates one long (hip to hip) incision as low as possible on the abdomen during this procedure and another incision around the navel.

He removes extra skin and repairs the muscles beneath it. Of course, the skin has some attached fat, so the surgery does include a small amount of fat reduction.

However, Dr. Craft may add liposuction to the full tummy tuck for patients with large fat deposits.

A full tummy tuck can provide a full transformation for the midsection, so it may be ideal for patients with a significant amount of loose skin.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck removes extra skin as with a full tummy tuck. However, it targets only the area from the navel to the bottom of the abdomen.

This tummy tuck removes considerably less tissue, so the incision is smaller, and there’s no belly button incision. While Dr. Craft may tighten some muscles in a mini tummy tuck, it’s only the ones in the lower belly.

Dr. Craft can add liposuction to a mini tummy tuck to remove extra fat below the navel.

A mini tummy tuck is less invasive, with a smaller scar and shorter recovery, but the trade-off is that the results aren’t as dramatic. This surgery could be right for people with mild skin sagging limited to the lower belly (a slight “pooch” that doesn’t improve with diet and exercise.)

Customized Tummy Tuck Consultations in Miami

Dr. Christopher Craft and our expert team provide concierge-level service in Miami, FL. If you’re interested in a tummy tuck, you deserve attentive care focused on your needs. Call us at 305-596-9700 to book your consultation.