Is a pannilecutemy, Cheaper then a tummy tuck?

A panniculectomy involves removal of the lower portion of the excess, loose abdominal skin. A tummy tuck involves abdominal wall muscle tightening with skin removal, belly button repositioning and often times liposuction of the flanks (love handles). Sometimes health insurance can cover a panniculectomy, whereas health insurance generally will not cover a  tummy tuck. A panniculectomy generally costs somewhat less as it is a shorter procedure. Consult with a few board certified plastic surgeons to determine which procedure is best for your particular anatomy.Best wishes,William Bruno, MD

A panniculectomy certainly is a lesser surgery than a full tummy tuck. The panniculectomy does not involve any significant undermining, tightening of the abdominal muscles, or relocation of the belly button. For this reason, it should cost less than full tummy tuck. Both a full tummy tuck and panniculectomy are rather well defined and most surgeons will perform them in a similar manner. But mini-tummy tucks are a bit more variable. Some surgeons would consider a panniculectomy a type of mini-tummy tuck. Other surgeons still tighten the abdominal muscles with a mini tuck and there are quite a variety of things that can be done with the belly button. For this reason, it is hard to say if a panniculectomy would cost much less than a mini tuck. It will all depend upon the surgeon.