These two procedures are often times confused for their indications.
A Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty is a skin tightening and muscle tightening procedure only. Very little fatty tissue is removed. This procedure will remove the skin, and scars and stretch marks with it, between the naval and just below the top of the pubic hair line is normally. It does not address the fatty tissue at the top of the abdomen or the sides (flanks). Prime candidates are patients with excess skin or loose muscles, usually after childbearing. The loose skin that hangs over the top of the waistband is best treated with a tummy tuck.
Liposuction, on the other hand, only addresses the fatty tissue beneath the skin. The skin is not tightened. This means that good candidates will have good elasticity of their skin. Also the muscles should be in good position, as this is also not addressed.
These two procedures can often be added together to enhance the final result. This way the skin and muscle can be tightened with the tummy tuck, while the fatty tissue from the upper portion of the tummy as well as the sides and back can also be removed with liposuction.
