Should I get a mini tummy tuck and Lipo, or just Lipo? (Photos)

Concerns about the appearance of the abdomen are very common among patients consulting with a plastic surgeon. Just like every patient is different…so too is every abdomen. Different problems require different solutions. Your board certified plastic surgeon is uniquely trained to identify the problems as well as the appropriate solution.
The abdomen is commonly addressed via liposuction or abdominoplasty (“tummy – tuck”). Which procedure is best is dependent upon the source of the problem. 
Excess fat deposits underneath the skin can be addressed via liposuction. Liposuction will not address any other issues and may worsen the situation if there are other factors at play (such as skin excess and muscle laxity, see below)
Commonly patients concerns are centered around issues of excess skin as well as fat. A third factor, which is often overlooked by most patients is abdominal wall muscle laxity (typically seen in post partum mommies).  The tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate excess skin and fat and tighten the muscles in the abdominal wall to create a smoother and slimmer contour. The tummy tuck is designed to target areas of the abdomen that have not responded to diet and exercise, making it particularly popular among people that have a lot of loose or sagging skin around the abdominal area due to significant weight loss, as well as women with excess skin and stretched abdominal muscles following pregnancy and childbirth. 
Candidates for tummy tuck should be already at or near their ideal weight for optimal results. It is recommended to women that are planning on becoming pregnant to postpone the procedure until they are finished having children.
A mini-abdominoplasty is a short scar abdominoplasty. Optimal candidates have minimal skin excess localized below the level of the umbilicus (belly button). The major benefit of the procedure is the shorter scar burden. Alternatively, the drawback to the procedure is it's minimal access nature. The shorter scar and the upper limit of dissection (belly button) limits the opportunity to tighten the muscle as you only have access to the lower 1/3 of the muscle in the midline for plication (unless you float/detach the umbilicus which can only be performed in cases of minimal infraumbilical skin excess). 
Based upon your photos, you would likely benefit from a formal abdominoplasty with muscle tightening. You would also benefit from additional liposuction post abdominoplasty. It is unlikely that a mini-tummy tuck will deliver the results you seek (as demonstrated in your goal photo.
As always discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Dear Jenny,    Thanks for posting your pictures and your goal picture. From observing your pictures , you appear to have abdominal skin and muscles laxity from the chest bone to the pubic bone and significant amount of fat in your midsection - hips, waists, lower flanks, whole abdomen and lower chest.   The only procedure that will bring you close to your goal picture is full tummy tuck, followed later on (6-8 weeks or more) with aggressive liposuction of the mid section.  Tummy tuck will give you flat stomach, tight and youthful looking skin, nice belly button, improved body posture, narrower and more defined waists and , most likely, you will lose significant amount of weight due to the tightening of the abdominal muscles that will reduce the amount of food that you can eat and your sense of hunger.   I provide to all my overweight patients the book 'Sugar busters' that help them to lose additional amount of weight, based on the principles of low Glycemic index food.  You can get this best seller in book stores or Amazon for $7.   Mini tummy tuck is a waste of time and money for you, because it will disappoint your desire to look closer to your goal pictures and you will eventually, after all, ask for full tummy tuck with doubling the cost and recovery time.   You have to realize that not all results are the same, because experience, technical skills and aesthetic eye are critical for good outcome. So, do your due diligence carefully and choose your surgeon wisely.   Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with the above mentioned features and low scar.                              Best of luck,                                                 Dr Widder