Abdominoplasty versus panniculectomy - which is better?

Depends: Panniculectomy may be best and most appropriate if you have a lot of weight left to lose but you also have hanging abdominal skin which impedes your activities. Abdominoplasty is ideal if you are not overweight and you have extra skin and also need your abdominal wall tightened.

Abdominoplasty: The difference is that an abdominoplasty tightens the muscles underneath like sucking your belly in, while a panniculectomy only removes skin and fat.

Abdominoplasty: An abdominoplasty will result in a better abdominal contour and would be more aesthetically pleasing. 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 al.

Muscle is critical?: The condition of your rectus muscles is probably the single most important deciding factor on choosing between the two. The abdominoplasty is more of a sculpting procedure whereas the panniculectomy is a simpler removal of redundant skin and fat with agosl of debunking rather than shaping.

Different Operations: These 2 operations are very different in their indications and results achieved. Some patients may not be a candidate for abdominoplasty surgery and do better with panniculectomy ( and vice versa). The abdominoplasty surgery involves re-approximation of the abdominal wall muscles while the panniculectomy involves removal of the excess skin/adipose tissue of the lower abdominal wall (pannus).

Who is doing ?: Abdominoplasty includes besides resection of excessive abdominal fat fold , tightening and reconstruction of weak abdominal wall usually don by plastic surgeons , ( usually not covered by insurance as it is cosmetic procedure ) . Panniculectomy done by general surgeons for recurrent infections of the fold not considered as cosmetic ( usually insurance covers it ).

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...

It Depends On Goals: A dermolipectomy, or panniculectomy, is a procedure that removes the excess apron of skin, but does not tighten the muscle. A tummy tuck also tightens the muscle. Which is "better" depends on your specific case and objectives. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and get specific advice.