This is a very common question and at times have confused many patients thinking they are the same. However they are very different!
Liposuction in a nutshell is a procedure where the fat is "sucked out " of the area you are treating by mechanical removal of the fat tissue ie. moving the cannula in and out and by the suction that is attached to the cannula (some doctors do injections to the area prior to help with the liposuction procedure). There are limits on how much liposuction can be done in any one setting.
Abdominoplasty aka "Tummy Tuck" is a surgical procedure under general anesthesia in which both fat and excess skin (from weight loss , post-pregnancy) is removed.
On a side note, there was a famous commercial years ago with Jared from Subway - because of his diligent diet, he lost excessive amount of weight in a short period of time, and this usually results to excess abdominal skin/skin fold which may contain minimal fat.
The term "tuck" is used because a portion of your tummy/abdominal area is literally removed and the top part of your remaining abdomen is pulled down or "tucked" to the lower part of your remaining abdomen. This is a much bigger procedure than a liposuction and requires inpatient admission.
Both should be consulted and performed by a plastic surgeon specialist to determine which procedure you would be a better candidate for.
Less invasive considerations would be HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) with combination of fat freezing.
I hope this has helped clarify your pensive question.
