What is the difference between an abdominoplasty and a panniculectomy?

Similar: Abdominoplasty includes removing excess skin and tightening the abdominal muscle layer. Panniculectomy is usually used to describe removal of excess skin that hangs from the abdominal wall. This procedure has become more common with massive weight loss.

Skin/muscle vs skin: Generally speaking an abdominoplasty literally means aesthetic surgical correction of the abdomen typically referring to excess skin removal and muscle approximation. Panniculectomy literally can be interpreted as removal of excess haning abdominal skin.

Amount of tissue: Although the scars are the same for both procedures, the similarities end there. A panniculectomy is a procedure which removes the excess skin of the abdominal apron or pannus below the belly button. An abdominoplasty does this and also removes excess skin above the umbilicus. An abdominoplasty also tightens the abdominal muscles.

Related, but....: Panniculectomy only removes the hanging apron of skin in the lower abdomen. Tummy tuck removes the hanging apron of skin, smoothes the upper abdomen, repairs the muscle, and repositions the belly button. So, it's a much more complete treatment.

Abdominoplasty: An abdominoplasty will include removal of skin, repositioning of the belly button, tightening of the muscles as well as liposuction. A panniculectomytannenbilateral is the surgical removal of skin and fat usually just the hanging skin below the umbilicus.

The muscles: The main difference between them is the tightening of the muscles. Panniculectomy is considered more of a "functional" procedure to correct the apron of skin that overhangs whereas abdominoplasty is considered more of a cosmetic procedure. Insurance companies will usually only cover panniculectomy and you have to have demonstrated a large weight loss (usually ~ 100 lbs).