Hi-
Your desire to avoid a larger operation is very understandable, and I agree that you should- but only if the more minor operation will achieve your goals. I do believe that you should always have the smallest operation necessary to make you happy, but just as important is understanding that the only thing worse than being unhappy with your abdomen is having an operation and still being unhappy... so if the more minor operation is unlikely to achieve your goals, you would be better off finding a surgeon you're really comfortable, planning well for the recovery, and saving a bit more to have the operation that will result in your satisfaction.
It has been my experience that patients who have lost skin elasticity and need some form of a tummy tuck are never happy with liposuction alone (no matter what type of liposuction). Only a qualified surgeon can give you (after a careful exam and review of your goals) a good idea of how likely you are to get what you want through the various options.
Think carefully about what you want, how unhappy you'll be if you don't get there, how much you'd like to avoid the larger procedure, and the costs involved, and discuss it openly with the surgeon you choose. You'll know what's best for you in the end.
