in Miami, FL
The extended tummy tuck is an advanced contouring procedure performed in Miami by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Pat Pazmiño. Designed for patients whose loose skin extends past the abdomen and around the flanks and lower back, this surgery restores a tighter core, a defined waist, and a silhouette that finally matches the work you’ve put in.
An extended tummy tuck, or extended abdominoplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the entire lower abdomen and continues around the hips, flanks, and lower back. Through a longer horizontal incision than a standard tummy tuck, Dr. Pazmiño removes redundant tissue, repairs separated abdominal muscles, and redrapes the remaining skin for a smooth, flat contour.
The procedure also allows for repositioning of the belly button and correction of the “muffin top” overhang a traditional abdominoplasty simply cannot reach. Extended abdominoplasty is frequently combined with liposuction so the waistline is not just tightened but sculpted.
Miami Aesthetic offers both in-office visits at our Brickell location and virtual Zoom i-Consults for out-of-town and out-of-state patients. Either pathway is required before a surgical quote can be issued.
For a Zoom i-Consult, photos must be submitted in advance – front, back, and both side views, from the neck down, wearing a bra and thong or small bikini, with arms raised and away from the body.
Dr. Pazmiño reviews your medical history and examines skin quality, fat distribution, muscle separation, prior scars, and hernias, then discusses whether a standard or extended incision serves you better.
Come prepared with:
Once the plan is finalized, a written surgical quote is delivered by email.
You will receive a pre-operative packet with your surgery date and detailed instructions, including:
Once the skin flap is elevated, Dr. Pazmiño addresses diastasis recti – the separation of the vertical abdominal muscles that commonly follows pregnancy or major weight fluctuation. Permanent internal sutures bring the muscle edges back together, functionally cinching the waist from the inside.
Excess skin and fat are then removed from the abdomen, flanks, and lower back, and the remaining skin is pulled taut. VASER liposuction may be used to feather the upper abdomen, love handles, and lower back so the contour transitions smoothly rather than ending abruptly.
Closure is performed in multiple layers to distribute tension away from the skin edge, supporting a finer, flatter scar over time. The umbilicus is inset through its new opening and shaped for a natural, non-surgical appearance – a detail Dr. Pazmiño takes seriously, given how frequently the practice performs umbilicoplasty and belly button revision. Drains may be placed to limit fluid accumulation, and a compression garment is applied in the operating room before you wake.
Discomfort is typically most pronounced during the first three to five days. Most patients transition to over-the-counter pain relief within the first two weeks and return to desk-based work around the two- to three-week mark.
Lifting, core engagement, and strenuous exercise are restricted for approximately six weeks to protect the muscle repair. Following these restrictions precisely is one of the strongest predictors of a durable result.
Swelling resolves gradually. Most patients see a clear preview of their new contour by six to eight weeks, with continued refinement over three to six months. Final results – including full scar maturation – typically settle between 12-18 months.
Scars fade from pink and raised to pale and flat over that period. Miami Aesthetic can discuss scar management options, including Morpheus8, as part of your long-term plan.
Extended abdominoplasty carries risks including bleeding, infection, seroma, delayed or poor wound healing, changes in skin sensation or numbness, asymmetry, unfavorable scarring, and risks associated with general anesthesia. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and obesity meaningfully increase these risks.
These considerations are reviewed candidly during your consultation. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon operating in an accredited facility remains the single most effective way to minimize complications.
Candidacy depends as much on health as on anatomy. Well-controlled blood pressure, blood sugar, and thyroid function all contribute to safe anesthesia and predictable healing. Chronic conditions do not automatically disqualify you, but they must be optimized and clearly documented.
Weight stability matters just as much – for at least six months to a year prior to surgery. Significant gain afterward can stretch newly tightened tissue; significant loss can create new laxity. Patients at a maintainable weight who have completed childbearing enjoy the most durable results.
Excess skin traps moisture, causes friction, and makes exercise uncomfortable. Removing it eliminates a daily irritation many patients had accepted as permanent.
Then there is the emotional shift. Patients who have lost 80, 100, or 150 pounds often say their body never caught up with their effort. Seeing a flat, contoured midsection closes that gap – clothing fits without strategic layering, and beach days stop requiring a plan.
Extended tummy tuck surgery at Miami Aesthetic generally ranges from $9,500 to $18,500, depending on the complexity of your case and whether liposuction or additional procedures are combined.
Call (305) 576-3443 for a personalized quote.
Miami Aesthetic is the practice of Dr. Pat Pazmiño – a board-certified plastic surgeon and the inventor of the UltraBBL™, whose ultrasound-guided technique is now a legal requirement for BBL surgery throughout the state of Florida. That is not marketing language; it is a standard of care he authored.
A standard tummy tuck treats the central abdomen between the hips. An extended tummy tuck uses a longer incision that continues around the flanks to the lower back, removing lateral skin and fat that a standard approach leaves behind.
Surgical time varies with the extent of correction but typically runs several hours. Dr. Pazmiño will provide a more precise estimate during your consultation.
The incision is placed as low as your anatomy permits so it can be concealed by most underwear and swimwear. Because the extended version reaches toward the hips and lower back, the scar is longer than a standard tummy tuck scar. Placement is planned with you at consultation, and scars mature and fade over time with proper care.
Light walking begins immediately, and most patients return to light, non-strenuous activity and desk work within two to three weeks. Full exercise, including core work, typically resumes at approximately six weeks – sometimes six to eight weeks or longer – with surgeon clearance.
Yes. It is commonly paired with VASER liposuction, breast surgery as part of a Mommy Makeover, or the UltraBBL™. Dr. Pazmiño will advise which combinations are safe to perform in a single session.
Miami Aesthetic does not accept insurance for cosmetic procedures. CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit financing options are available.
Yes. Zoom i-Consults are available. Photos must be submitted beforehand following the provided positioning guide – front, back, and both sides, neck down, arms up and away.
