Whats the difference between tummy tuck and panniculectomy

If you’ve lost a considerable amount of weight, then congratulations! You’re taking a positive step forward for your health. Staying at a weight that’s healthy for your height and body type can reduce your risk for a number of health conditions and boost your mental well-being as well. However, it’s common to be left with loose, sagging skin that doesn’t respond to dieting and exercise alone. For this reason, body contouring procedures are a popular option after weight loss, and there are a few key differences between some of the most effective options. Here’s what to know about them and what to expect with Dr. Newman.

A panniculectomy is a plastic surgery procedure that involves eliminating loose, sagging skin from the midsection on the body. It’s named for the pannus, which is the portion of loose, excess skin that hangs over the abdomen, legs, and pubic area after significant weight loss. The procedure can be done alone or along with a tummy tuck.

If you have a lot of loose, hanging skin after losing weight, it can also interfere with your everyday activities. This excess skin can cause various health issues, such as back problems, ulcers, rashes, and other skin conditions. This means that a panniculectomy can come with some medical benefits as well as cosmetic ones.

How is a Panniculectomy Performed?

A board-certified plastic surgeon performs a panniculectomy with general anesthesia. It’s usually complete in a few hours, and you may be required to stay in the hospital after your procedure.

During a panniculectomy, an incision is made under the sternum that goes down to the pubic bone. A second incision is made horizontally near that area, which allows your plastic surgeon to remove fat and excess skin. Afterward, the skin is pulled tightly and the area is sutured together to make for a slimmer, more contoured look. Your plastic surgeon may also create a new belly button to complete your look.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, which is also known as abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that involves repairing the abdominal area after significant weight loss. Like a panniculectomy, it aims to deliver a more contoured, slim figure, but it’s a more extensive procedure due to the muscles also being addressed.

How is a Tummy Tuck Performed?

A tummy tuck is also performed under general anesthesia by your plastic surgeon. It involves an incision, usually in the pelvic area, through which excess fat can be removed. Any excess skin is also pulled tighter and excised. It also includes an important step where the underlying muscles are sutured into a tighter and more supported position. Then, a new belly button is created and the incisions are closed.

What’s the Difference Between the Two Procedures?

Although panniculectomy and tummy tuck are often confused, they are different procedures. The panniculectomy addresses only the pannus, or apron of skin that usually exists around the midsection. Tummy tucks, on the other hand, deal with skin and muscle laxity in the abdominal area. Many times, they can be combined for even more effective results after weight loss.

Schedule a Consultation

Meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon is one of the best ways to learn more about your best options for body contouring after weight loss. To get started, we invite you to contact our St. Petersburg office by calling or filling out our online form.

After significant weight loss, many individuals develop what is known as a pannus. A pannus is an apron of excess skin that hangs over the stomach or lower abdomen, and sometimes the genitals and legs. A pannus can also develop following a pregnancy. Because sagging, excess skin is difficult (if not impossible) to eliminate with diet and exercise, many individuals who have developed one opt for a panniculectomy, which is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes the pannus.

Panniculectomy is performed under general anesthesia. During a panniculectomy, your surgeon will make two incisions: one under the sternum that extends down to the pubic bone, and another horizontal incision along the public bone. The excess skin (the pannus) is then pulled taut and sutured to create a smoother, more sleek silhouette. Often, this type of surgery will require the surgeon to create a new belly button.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a type of plastic surgery that helps patients achieve a flat and toned abdomen through the removal of excess skin and fat. The procedure also restores muscles that have been weakened or separated.

A tummy tuck surgery is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. An incision is made, and your surgeon will then lift your abdominal skin and repair any weakened muscles. Your surgeon will then trim any excess skin and stitch it together, and will likely make a new opening for a new belly button. Following the surgery, you will be required to stay overnight and will likely be able to return home the next day.

Panniculectomy Vs. Tummy Tuck

While both panniculectomy and tummy tuck procedures focus on contouring the midsection, there are significant differences between the two procedures. Panniculectomy focuses exclusively on reducing or eliminating excess skin that has resulted from significant weight loss or other body changes, such as pregnancy, whereas a tummy tuck can also eliminate excess fat pockets, and repair weakened or separated abdominal muscles.

Procedure Timelines

Both a panniculectomy and tummy tuck have similar timelines; however, the exact length of time your surgery takes will depend on the extent of the procedure.

Panniculectomy Timeline

A panniculectomy takes about two to five hours, depending on the length of the incisions being made and the amount of skin benign removed.

Tummy Tuck Timeline

A tummy tuck takes between two to four hours to complete.

Candidates

Good candidates for a panniculectomy are those who have recently lost significant amounts of weight (either through lifestyle changes or as a result of gastric bypass or bariatric weight loss surgery), or experienced another significant body change — such as pregnancy — that has resulted in excess, sagging skin around the abdomen. Candidates may also be experiencing mobility issues, issues with chafing, skin rashes, or hygiene issues due to the excess skin.

Candidates for a tummy tuck may also be those who have recently lost weight, or those who are simply looking to eliminate or reduce stubborn tummy fat and some excess skin.

In both cases, surgery should not be considered a weight-loss procedure; candidates should be at or very close to their goal weight before undergoing either a panniculectomy or abdominoplasty.

Cost Differences

Panniculectomy Cost

Depending on the extent of the procedure, a panniculectomy can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000. If there are medical concerns associated with your pannus, such as persistent infections or ulcers, you may be eligible for insurance or OHIP coverage for your procedure, as it may be deemed a medical necessity.

Tummy Tuck Cost

A tummy tuck procedure starts at $8,999.

Side Effects

Panniculectomy Side Effects

Following a panniculectomy, it is likely you will experience some pain for a few days post-surgery. Your skin may also be numb as a result of two areas of skin being sutured together; this numbness is normal, and can last for several weeks. You may also experience some fluid retention, which can be eliminated through the insertion of drains post-surgery. Because the procedure involves incisions, there will be permanent scarring, but it will be minimal.

Rare side effects, like infection, heart palpitations, excessive bleeding, chest pain or shortness of breath, require medical attention.

Tummy Tuck Side Effects

You are likely to experience temporary pain, bruising, and numbness following your tummy tuck. Any excessive bleeding or infection, or symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, require medical attention. Because the procedure involves incisions, there will be permanent scarring, but it will be minimal.

Procedure Results

In both cases, the results of your surgery are considered permanent. It’s best to maintain your weight following your surgery, in order to avoid compromising the results and altering your new, slender appearance.

Comparison Chart

	Tummy Tuck	Panniculectomy
Procedure type	Inpatient surgery, with two incisions.	Inpatient surgery, with incisions.
Cost	Between $3,000 to $15,000. May be covered if surgery is deemed medically necessary.	Starting at $8,999.
Pain	General anaesthesia prevents pain during the procedure itself. Some pain and discomfort, in addition to numbness, may occur for weeks or months following the surgery.	General anaesthesia prevents pain during the procedure itself. Some pain may be experienced in the first weeks following the surgery.
Number of treatments	One procedure	One procedure
Results	Permanent results if weight is maintained.	Permanent results if weight is maintained.
Disqualification	Pregnancy or plans to be pregnant soon. Diabetes or other chronic conditions may also be disqualifiers.	Pregnancy or plans to be pregnant soon. Smoking and expectation of severe weight fluctuations may also be disqualifying factors.
Recovery time	4 to 6 weeks	Around 8 weeks

Which is better a tummy tuck or Panniculectomy?

If you have a significant amount of hanging fat and skin that covers your groin area, a panniculectomy is most likely the better option. If you have excess skin in your middle abdomen, or want tightening of separated stomach muscles, a tummy tuck is probably going to be the better fit.

Which is cheaper tummy tuck or Panniculectomy?

A panniculectomy is more expensive than a tummy tuck, but it's often covered by medical insurance. The cost can range from $8,000 to $15,000, plus anesthesia and other extras. A tummy tuck is less expensive but is not covered by insurance. This elective procedure costs on average around $6,200.

Why is Panniculectomy more than a tummy tuck?

The main difference between Panniculectomy vs Tummy Tuck is that a panniculectomy is often considered a medical necessity while a tummy tuck is typically for cosmetic purposes. More severe sagging that causes health issues like rashes and ulcers is addressed through a panniculectomy.

Is a Panniculectomy a mini tummy tuck?

What is panniculectomy surgery? The goal of panniculectomy surgery is to remove hanging skin and fat from the lower abdomen to create a smoother abdominal contour. A panniculectomy differs from a tummy tuck in that the abdominal muscles are typically not tightened during a panniculectomy.