Deciding how to reshape your midsection often comes down to understanding what your body truly needs. At his Beverly Hills practice, Harvard-educated and Baylor-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Marc Mani helps patients weigh the difference between liposuction and tummy tuck surgery with a highly individualized approach.
Liposuction removes excess fat to refine body contours, while a tummy tuck removes loose skin and tightens abdominal muscles to restore a flatter midsection. Dr. Mani performs every procedure himself in his private, fully accredited surgery center, offering patients direct, personalized care from consultation through recovery.
Both tummy tuck and liposuction can create dramatic improvements, but they work in very different ways.
What Liposuction Is Designed to Do
Liposuction removes localized fat deposits that don’t respond to diet or exercise. It is best suited for patients who are close to their ideal weight but struggle with localized fat pockets in areas like the abdomen, hips, or thighs.
Liposuction does not tighten skin or repair muscle separation. Instead, it refines contours by sculpting fat deposits, creating a slimmer, more defined shape. Many patients choose liposuction when they’re happy with their skin tone but want smoother proportions.
What a Tummy Tuck Actually Addresses
A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and tightens separated muscles. These concerns often occur after pregnancy, weight loss, or natural aging.
Although a tummy tuck creates a flatter, firmer midsection, it doesn’t focus on fat reduction. This makes the procedure ideal for patients who experience sagging skin, a persistent abdominal bulge, or a loss of core strength that cannot be corrected through exercise alone.
Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck: Key Differences
Liposuction and tummy tuck surgery differ in important ways:
- Liposuction removes fat but does not tighten skin or muscle
- A tummy tuck removes loose skin and tightens abdominal muscles but doesn’t remove fat pockets
- Liposuction involves smaller incisions and shorter recovery
- A tummy tuck provides more comprehensive abdominal reshaping
Which Option Fits Your Goals?
Your choice depends on your anatomy, skin quality, and expectations. If excess fat is your primary concern and your skin remains firm, liposuction may be sufficient. If loose skin or muscle separation is limiting your results, a tummy tuck may be the better choice. Many patients choose a combination of the two for comprehensive abdominal-area rejuvenation.
Dr. Mani considers your body proportions, lifestyle, and long-term goals before recommending a plan. His background as both an artist and innovator in aesthetic surgery informs a thoughtful, balanced approach to body contouring.
Liposuction and Tummy Tuck Consultations in Beverly Hills
At his ultra-modern Beverly Hills practice, Dr. Marc Mani provides highly personalized surgical care in a private, fully accredited, state-of-the-art surgery center. To discuss whether liposuction, a tummy tuck, or a combination approach is right for you, call 310-203-0511 to book an appointment with Dr. Mani.


