Question:
Is a Panniculectomy the same as a Tummy Tuck and Abdominoplasty?

I was approved for a Panniculectomy and i am not sure its the same as a Tummy Tuck. I was told it is to remove excess skin, do they tighten it or take skin off??? and is it just the lower abdomen or your torso under your ribs as well????    — roxxyblue72 (posted on June 1, 2004)

June 1, 2004
Panniculectomy is just the skin removal of the abdomen. The tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is removal of skin, musle repair and contouring. Insurance does not normally cover abdominoplasty. You can generally pay the difference. That's what I did. I had to pay an additional $3400.00 for the abdominoplasty. I know that seems like alot but without the insurance it would have been a little over $8000.00
   — RENEE M.

June 1, 2004
My understanding is that a pannilectomy only addresses the hanging skin (or pannilus) which is pretty much at the navel and below. It only addresses the skin and I THINK its the lower abdomen. A Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty actually is removing the excess skin AND tightening the muscles in the abdomen. It addresses both the lax muscles and the loose skin from the ribs down.
   — emilyfink

June 1, 2004
I also was approved for a panni after fighting Oxford with an outside review through the NY State Insurance Board. Luckily, (in a funny kind of way), I also have a hernia. The PS says that in order to fix the hernia he has to do it as an abdominoplasty anyway, so it will all be done. The fact that he is family also helps. I just read my reviwer's report this afternoon. It really spells out the differences in the procedures. I now am trying to find out what my secondary insurance is going to pay so I am not stuck with a bill, since he is out of network. I am most worried about the anesthesia and the hospital fees. #0% could be a fair amount. ANyway, best of luck. I'm having mine done in August.!!!
   — Fixnmyself

June 1, 2004
Good question...a "panni" only covers skin removal and often results in a straight-line scar. It may or may not involve placing the belly button in the proper location. It is a 1-3 hour operation usually. A tummy tuck (A-plasty) has many other componenets and goals: remove skin, tighten muscles, flatten the abdominal wall, bring in the waist, relocate and reconstruct the belly button, place the scar low and along normal skin lines, lift the pubic area, lift the fronts of the thighs....these are all things generally NOT considered in a "panni." It depends what you want, and the A-plasty WILL have some out of pocket expense. HAve your PS show you before and afters so you know what you're getting.
   — DrL

June 1, 2004
I am having a torso lift all the way around and my insurance is picking the whole thing
   — Gail O.

June 1, 2004
Some insurances no matter what will not cover anything more than a panniculectomy. My insurance approved a full extended abdominoplasty done in two stages - below and then above the navel. I'm have stage two next Monday the 7th. Stage 1 looks great and only needs a tiny revision to the area right above the pubic bone and also the belly button. He will fix both areas on Monday. <p>We never even asked for a panniculectomy and went for the abdominoplasty right away. BCBS didn't not fight that procedure being done once they had enough info and pics to approve any kind of surgery. They agreed right away that it would need to be done in two surgeries. When we resubmitted for a lower body lift they did deny the lateral thigh portion of which I paid $7600 for surgeon, anesthesiologist and OR room. Insurance covered the 3 days I was in the hospital because of the abdominoplasty. <p>My entire need for any reconstructive work was based on my long history of low back problems caused by degenerative disc disease. I have been using anti-inflammatories, epidural steroid injections, physical therapy etc. for years to manage the condition as the neurosurgeon does not want to fuse 4 vertebrae unless there is no other way to get rid of the symptoms. So basically I pointed out to them that this was just another way of managing this condition. It would not solve it but would likely help delay any back fusion surgery and lessen the amount of money paid for other treatments. That and an orthopedic evalauation that they requested, did the trick.
   — zoedogcbr