How are an abdominoplasty and a panniculectomy different?

The difference...: Is that in a panniculectomy, the excess "apron" of fat and skin is removed from the abdomen through a long incision at the lower abdomen. In an abdominoplasty, the same thing is done but also (and very importantly) the rectus muscles are brought back to their normal position in the midlne and the abdominal muscular wall is tightened.

Very Different: The operations are very different. Tummy tuck operation typically involves excision of excess skin/adipose tissue, re approximation of abdominal wall muscles that may have spread with weight gain/loss or pregnancy, and sometimes liposuctioning. Panniculectomy, on the hand, involves ONLY removal of excess skin/adipose tissue of the lower abdominal wall; much less of an aesthetic outcome...

Panniculectomy: Panniculectomy only removes excess lower abdominal skin and fat (and often removes the belly button) whereas abdominoplasty does that PLUS tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall and repositions the belly button. Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic operation but panniculectomy is generally a reconstructive procedure.

Abdominoplasty is: an aesthetic surgical contouring of the entire anterior abdomen including skin muscle and fat. Panniculectomy is surgical removal excess skin of the lower abdomen for medical reasons.