A common question that is often asked of our New Jersey plastic surgeons from women who want better aesthetic body contouring of the lower abdomen after having children, is "are they best suited to have liposuction or tummy tucks?" To answer this question, there are many variables that must be taken into account. First and foremost, both liposuction and tummy tuck are not techniques meant for weight loss. If an individual is seeking to lose weight by having these procedures done, this is not the optimal route. Weight loss can only be safely done with diet and exercise and with proper guidance from a physician. That being said, women are candidates for liposuction when there is good skin quality (meaning there are no evident stretch marks), there is also a moderate amount of fat, and there is good contour of the underlying abdominal rectus muscles. When there is extensive amounts of stretch marks, when there is loose inelastic skin with a diastasis or a separation of the rectus muscles underneath the belly skin and fat, those women are usually best served with a tummy tuck which involves removal of all the loose inelastic skin and fat, as well as tightening of the muscles, to give a nice flat contour to the lower abdomen. However, women would be best served by a consultation with a board certified NJ plastic surgeon to have a thorough physical examination where a proper contouring plan can be thoroughly outlined.