A new year often brings a renewed sense of hope and motivation. It is a time when many people feel ready to invest in themselves and realign their bodies with the healthy, confident lives they are envisioning for the future. For those frustrated by lasting changes to their midsection after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or the natural aging process, a tummy tuck combined with liposuction can be truly life-changing. At Edina Plastic Surgery, this procedure combination is among the most popular and transformative body-contouring options we offer. Patients travel from across Minnesota and Wisconsin to our practice because our surgeons are highly regarded experts in midsection rejuvenation and are known for delivering results that restore both form and function with exceptional precision and artistry.
Why Patients Seek a Tummy Tuck with Liposuction
Many patients arrive at their complimentary tummy tuck consultation at Edina Plastic Surgery feeling discouraged after months (sometimes years!) of doing everything they were told would work to flatten or tighten their abdominal area. They have lost weight, started eating better, committed to fitness and endless crunches, yet their abdominal area does not reflect their effort. That’s because these methods, although integral to a healthy lifestyle, don’t and can’t do anything to tighten loose, excess skin. As any mother knows, pregnancy can permanently stretch skin and weaken abdominal muscles. And, as anyone who has celebrated the weight loss of 30lbs or more, they know substantial fat loss can leave behind loose, heavy skin and pockets of fat that prove to be resistant to all forms of exercise and diet.
These changes to the midsection can affect far more than appearance. A weakened core can impact posture and comfort. Loose skin can make clothing frustrating and confidence elusive. At Edina Plastic Surgery, we understand how deeply personal these concerns are. We also understand the relief and empowerment that comes from having a solution that truly addresses the underlying cause rather than masking the symptoms.
Tummy Tuck Options Tailored to Your Body
A tummy tuck is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. It is a carefully planned surgery uniquely tailored to your anatomy, goals, and lifestyle. During your consultation, your surgeon evaluates skin elasticity, muscle integrity, fat distribution, and overall proportions to determine the most appropriate approach.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is designed for patients with a small amount of excess skin and minimal muscle laxity confined to the lower abdomen below the belly button. The incision is shorter, and the procedure focuses on tightening and smoothing the lower abdominal area. The belly button is not repositioned, and muscle repair is typically limited. This option is best suited for individuals who are close to their ideal weight and primarily bothered by a lower abdominal bulge that does not respond to exercise. In some cases, this area can be effectively addressed with LipoAI alone. More on that later!
Full or Standard Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck addresses more extensive changes across the entire abdomen. This approach removes excess skin above and below the belly button and allows for complete tightening of the abdominal wall. During surgery, separated abdominal muscles, a condition called diastasis recti that is common after pregnancy, are repaired and reinforced, restoring a flatter, stronger core. The belly button is carefully repositioned to maintain a natural appearance. This option is ideal for patients after pregnancy or moderate weight loss who want comprehensive improvement in both contour and strength.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck is often recommended for patients who have experienced significant weight loss and have excess skin that extends beyond the front of the abdomen to the hips and flanks. In addition to tightening the abdominal wall, this technique removes skin along the sides of the waist to improve overall torso contour. The result is a smoother, more balanced silhouette from every angle.
Diastasis Recti Repair and Core Restoration
Many tummy tuck procedures include diastasis recti repair. Diastasis recti occurs when the abdominal muscles separate, often due to pregnancy or major weight fluctuations. This separation can weaken the core and cause a persistent abdominal bulge and poor posture. During surgery, the muscles are brought back together and reinforced, restoring internal support. This repair not only improves the appearance of the abdomen but also enhances strength, stability, and overall function.
Liposuction at Edina Plastic Surgery
Liposuction plays a critical role in refining the results of a tummy tuck. While a tummy tuck addresses loose skin and muscle separation, liposuction targets stubborn fat deposits that blur natural contours. Liposuction is commonly used on the abdomen, waist, and flanks to enhance definition and create smoother transitions between areas.
Traditional Liposuction
Traditional liposuction uses a slender cannula to carefully remove unwanted fat through small, discreet incisions. This technique allows our surgeons to selectively sculpt areas of fullness and improve overall balance and proportion. Traditional liposuction is especially effective for addressing localized fat that does not respond to diet or exercise. When performed by experienced surgeons, it creates natural-looking contours that complement the structural improvements of a tummy tuck and help reveal a more defined waistline.
LipoAI Advanced Liposuction Technology
Edina Plastic Surgery also offers LipoAI, an advanced approach to liposuction that incorporates intelligent AI technology to enhance precision, safety, customization, and tightening of overlying skin. LipoAI allows your surgeon to plan and execute fat removal with exceptional accuracy, addressing subtle asymmetries and fine-tuning contours in a highly individualized way. This technology delivers smoother, tighter results and more refined shaping, helping achieve a balanced, harmonious midsection that looks natural from every angle.
The Power of Combining a Tummy Tuck with Liposuction
When performed together, a tummy tuck and liposuction create a comprehensive midsection transformation. The tummy tuck restores structure by tightening muscles and removing excess skin, while liposuction sculpts and refines surrounding areas. The result is a flatter abdomen, a more defined waist, and proportions that feel aligned with your body and lifestyle. Combining procedures also means a single surgical plan and a single recovery period, allowing for a cohesive, thoughtfully designed outcome.
Recovery and Healing
Recovery from a tummy tuck with liposuction is a gradual process that varies depending on the extent of your surgery. Swelling and tightness are normal early on. Compression garments, which are mandatory for the first few weeks after surgery, help support healing and contouring. Most patients return to light activity within a few weeks and gradually resume exercise as guided by their surgeon. Throughout recovery, the Edina Plastic Surgery team provides detailed instructions, close follow-up, and ongoing support to ensure comfort and safety.
A Transformation That Goes Beyond Appearance
For many patients, the impact of this combination procedure reaches far beyond physical change. It often means feeling confident in clothing, enjoying swimwear again, standing taller, regaining strength, and moving through life with renewed self-assurance. It can feel like reclaiming a part of yourself that was lost after a certain chapter of life.
Why Choose Edina Plastic Surgery
Patients across Minnesota and Wisconsin choose Edina Plastic Surgery not only for results, but for trust, expertise, and peace of mind.
- All surgeons are board-certified plastic surgeons
• Fully accredited on-site surgical suite for safety and convenience
• Decades of combined experience in body contouring and midsection rejuvenation
• National recognition and Top Doctor awards
• Advanced surgical techniques and technologies for personalized treatment planning
• A highly trained, compassionate team dedicated to patient care and comfort
Take the Next Step Toward the New You
Choosing to have plastic surgery is deeply personal. It is not about changing who you are, but about honoring how far you have come and how you want to feel moving forward. If you have worked hard to improve your health and are ready for your body to reflect that effort, we invite you to take the next step.
A complimentary consultation at Edina Plastic Surgery is an opportunity to be heard, understood, and guided by experts who truly care about your outcome. This could be the moment you stop hiding, start feeling proud, and finally see yourself the way you deserve to!
It all starts with a simple conversation. Schedule your complimentary consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon at Edina Plastic Surgery by calling or texting (952) 925-1765 or by booking online!
