If you are considering body contouring in St. Louis, you may be deciding between liposuction and a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty. Although both procedures can improve abdominal contours, they address different concerns.

At Chesterfield Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Scott Geiger and Dr. John Hulsen evaluate your anatomy, goals, skin quality, and the amount of excess fat or skin present before recommending a procedure.

Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck: What Is the Difference?

The primary difference is what each procedure is designed to correct.

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes excess fat from targeted areas. It may be appropriate when you have relatively good skin elasticity but have stubborn fat that has not responded to diet and exercise. Common treatment areas include the abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, arms, back, and other areas with localized fat deposits.

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a more comprehensive abdominal contouring procedure. It removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and may tighten weakened or separated abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck can be particularly helpful when pregnancy, significant weight loss, or aging has left you with loose abdominal skin or abdominal muscle separation.

Neither procedure is primarily intended as a weight loss treatment. Both are designed to improve body contours after you are near a stable, healthy weight.

When Is Liposuction the Better Choice?

Liposuction in St. Louis may be a good option when your primary concern is excess fat rather than loose skin.

You may be a candidate for liposuction if you:

  • Have localized pockets of stubborn fat
  • Are near your ideal or healthy weight
  • Have relatively good skin elasticity
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle
  • Want to improve the contour of your abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, or another treatment area
  • Do not have significant excess abdominal skin or muscle separation

Liposuction can reduce fat cells in treated areas, creating a more defined body contour. However, liposuction does not remove significant amounts of loose skin or tighten separated abdominal muscles.

When Is a Tummy Tuck the Better Choice?

A tummy tuck in St. Louis may be more appropriate when excess skin, abdominal laxity, or muscle separation is the primary concern.

You may benefit from abdominoplasty if you:

  • Have significant loose or hanging abdominal skin
  • Have excess skin following pregnancy or major weight loss
  • Have weakened or separated abdominal muscles
  • Have stretch marks located on skin that will be removed
  • Have a lower abdominal area that remains loose despite weight loss and exercise
  • Are at or near a stable weight
  • Are in good overall health and have realistic expectations for surgery

A tummy tuck can address concerns that liposuction alone cannot. By removing excess skin and addressing abdominal muscle laxity when appropriate, abdominoplasty can create a flatter, firmer abdominal contour.

Can You Have Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck Together?

Yes. In appropriate candidates, liposuction and tummy tuck surgery can be combined as part of a customized body contouring plan. This approach may allow the surgeon to address both excess abdominal skin and localized fat.

For example, a patient may have loose skin below the belly button as well as stubborn fat around the abdomen and flanks. A tummy tuck can remove excess skin and address abdominal muscle separation, while liposuction can contour surrounding areas.

Whether combining procedures is appropriate depends on your anatomy, health, surgical goals, and the amount of correction needed. Dr. Scott Geiger or Dr. John Hulsen can determine whether combined abdominal liposuction and abdominoplasty is appropriate during your consultation.

Find the Right Body Contouring Procedure

Explore your options for liposuction and tummy tuck surgery in St. Louis with Chesterfield Plastic Surgery.

Contact us to schedule a consultation today. Whether you need targeted fat removal, excess skin removal, abdominal muscle repair, or a combination of procedures, you’ll receive a recommendation based on your anatomy and goals.