While some patients may achieve optimal results with a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction procedures, the surgeries themselves are separate and involve different steps. Liposuction uses a vacuum-like suction unit to remove fat located between the skin and abdominal muscles. It does not remove excess skin.
The tummy tuck removes extra skin and repairs torn or weak muscles using stitches. Liposuction can be used to treat many areas that contain excess fat, including the stomach, butt, thighs, hips, back, neck, arms, and more. A tummy tuck, as the name suggests, only involves the lower abdominal area.