There are a variety of different tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedures that may be suitable for you depending on your age and specific circumstances. These include:

Liposuction

Typically, liposuction is suitable for patients without stretch marks who have good-quality elastic skin and whose main problem is an excess of fat. Often patients have what might be termed a 'pot belly' - a slight excess of fat in the lower tummy. Liposuction involves small incisions, through which excess fat is removed. The wounds are then closed and some skin shrinking or tightening can be expected with the use of a compression garment.

 
Mini-Tummy Tuck

This tummy tuck is performed on slightly older patients who may have had previous pregnancies (causing the muscles below the belly button to splay apart), and who have a slight excess of skin and fat, especially below the belly-button. A wedge of ellipse of skin and fat is cut from the lower tummy, leaving a horizontal scar similar to that from a Caesarean Section. liposuction is performed on the upper tummy and waist and muscles below the belly-button are tightened. The belly-button itself is stretched slightly to become more elongated, and generally more appealing.

 
Classic Tummy Tuck

In patients with a greater degree of slack/excess skin, excess fat and splaying of the muscles, a classic tummy tuck may be required (not in women who are planning pregnancy). An incision is made from hip to hip, around the belly button and a larger wedge of skin is excised from above the belly button to just above the pubic hair. Some areas may be treated with liposuction and the muscles above and below the belly-button are tightened. Although this tummy tuck leaves the biggest scar, it provides the greatest degree of improvement in shape.