Question:
Seeking info on abdominoplasty/panniculectomy surgery?

I was just approved yesterday by BC/BS of FL (HMO) for an panniculectomy. I have never had surgery and I don't know what to expect. Can anyone help? Also, what exactly is the difference between addominoplasty and panniculectomy? Aren't they the same thing?    — Jeanette D. (posted on May 30, 2003)

May 30, 2003
Abdominoplasty is the area above the waist; panniculectomy is the area below, frequently referred to as the 'apron.'
   — scottiemaam O.

May 30, 2003
A panniculectomy is when the lower abdominal fat and skin is cut off, leaving a scar from hip to hip. Were as an abominoplasty is when the lower abdominal fat and skin is cut off and the upper abdomen is undermined and pulled down and your belly button is repositioned. This is a much better procedure because the excess skin just above your belly button is pulled down to your pubic area and your belly button is reattached. Let me explain the belly button part. An incision is made around your belly button and it remains on it's little stock, once the excess skin above your belly button is pulled down to your pubis another incision is made to pull you belly button back through the skin and it is sutured to the skin. Any more questions please feel free to email me I'm a plastic surgery nurse specialist and I would be happy to answer anymore questions. Rebecca
   — Rebecca L.

May 30, 2003
My insurance called it a panniculectomy, but my surgeon performed what everyone is calling an abdominoplasty. You need to ask your surgeon what he plans to do.
   — Beffy W.

May 30, 2003
My plastic surgeon explained that a panniculectomy is removal of excess skin and fat ONLY....an abdominoplasty is the removal of excess skin and fat, PLUS tightening or repair of underlying abdominal muscles. Both procedures can be done with a standard hip-to-hip incision, or an anchor incision which includes a long vertical incision from breastbone to pubic area combined with the traditional hip-to-hip incision. The anchor incision is very effective for patients who have always carried a great deal of their excess abdominal weight above the belly-button. It allows the surgeon to "pull in" the excess from both sides in toward the middle, leaving a nice sleek look to the back and ribcage area. In either case, the bellybutton can be eliminated altogether, or repositioned as described in previous responses. My surgeon always requests approval from the insurance companies for an abdominoplasty...then he makes the determination at the time of the actual surgery about whether or not the abdominal muscles need repair or tightening. If his patients only require a panniculectomy, then the insurance company gets to pay less, the patient gets a shorter and less involved surgery, and everyone is happy :-) Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

May 30, 2003
Tho the panni and abdmonioplasty are 'differnt' they get interchanged. MY insurance company used the WORD 'abdominoplasy' but MEANT only the skin removal. They did NOT cover the tighting of the muscles.. If I wanted that I would have had to pay the PS extra.
   — star .