Procedure to Remove a Large Apron of Fat

I'm overweight, but have lost weight going from 400lbs. to 330. I'm 24 years old with good blood pressure, and no diabetes nor other health problems.

The better I get around my ribs, across my chest, and in my arms, the bigger my lower tummy gets. Lower body exercise is getting harder because of this apron of fat hanging. It even changes how I sit.

I want to get rid of it, but it's kind of heavy. How many pounds, or in general, how much can I remove from my body safely? How much would a procedure this large cost?

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age 18-24 abdomen arms chest 330-349 lbs apron removal

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by AngelCross in Denver, CO

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Best procedure to remove a large apron of fat????????????

Congratulations on losing the weight. An abdominal pannus can be very debilitating and cause hygiene issues as well as difficulty with ambulation. So far you have lost 70 pounds and you are continuing to lose weight. If that is the case, do not have your surgery until you have reached your goal weight. The other piece of this picture is that you are still morbidly obese at 330 pounds. I would encourage you to get closer to a normal body weight. ... more

Procedure to Remove a Large Apron of Fat

If you are still losing weight, it would be best to continue with your regimen until you have reached your maintenance weight. After your maintenance goal is reached you can schedule a consultation with a board certified Plastic Surgeon for a panniculectomy (removal of excess abdominal apron fat). Unlike a cosmetic abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) this procedure removes the lower hanging excess of fat and skin and makes it easier to move about and exercise and will help you stay... more

Panniculectomy to remove excess abdominal apron

I would suggest a panniculectomy. This procedure removes excess skin and fat of the anterior abdominal wall. The conditions you describe, I hope, should be covered by most insurance plans; however, your insurance may require you to lose more weight based on your height. This number is your BMI. Not having seen your pictures, I would guess your surgical specimen would weigh between 50 and 80 pounds. For your case, I would suggest this procedure be... more

Weight Loss and Surgery

Thank you for your question. I always recommend for best results and safety, for the patient to lose as much weight as possible prior to surgery. Panniculectomy is an option to get rid of the apron of skin/fat you are referring to. I would also want to get a medical clearance to proceed with surgery from your doctor once you have reached the lowest weight you can. Best Wishes!

Panniculectomy

It sounds like you need a panniculectomy, but these are plagued by compications from wound healing and seromas. It is always better to lose as much weight first as possible.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Procedure to Remove a Large Apron of Lower Tummy Skin and Fat

Regarding: "Procedure to Remove a Large Apron of Fat I'm overweight, but have lost weight going from 400lbs. to 330. I'm 24 years old with good blood pressure, and no diabetes nor other health problems. The better I get around my ribs, across my chest, and in my arms, the bigger my lower tummy gets. Lower body exercise is getting harder because of this apron of fat hanging. It even changes how I sit. I want to get rid of it, but it's kind of heavy. How many... more

Removing an Apron of fat

I agree with Dr. Basu. If you are still losing weight, I would hold off on tummy tuck or body lift. You want to undergo body contouring procedure when you have lost all the weight that you want to lose and that when your weight has stabilized for at least 3-6 months. Having said this, if your excess tummy fat gets in the way of exercising, thus hampering your further weight loss, you can get panniculectomy (removing excess lower tummy skin and fat). Panniculectomy... more

Treating An Apron of Skin around waist

It sounds as if you are still losing weight. I would hold off on any cosmetic contouring procedures until your weight loss has stablized. However, if this apron of skin is getting in the way of your exercising or daily function, then you may need a panniculectomy. Unlike a cosmetic tummy tuck, a panniculectomy is simply a skin amputation procedure. However, it can remove that pesky apron and facilitate your exercise regimen to help you lose more weight and lead a... more