I have Medicaid and they approved a pannexteny (something like that). Later can I do the procedure for ab recovery? (Photos)

Hello and thank you for your question. We often receive this question. Unfortunately, a panniculectomy is not the same as an abdominoplasty. A panniculectomy only involves the removal of hanging excess skin/fat in a transverse or vertical wedge but does not include muscle plication, neoumbilicoplasty or flap elevation. A cosmetic abdominoplasty is sometimes performed at the time of a functional panniculectomy or delayed pending completion of weight reduction, and involves tightening muscles, reconstruction of the belly button, and often liposuction. These are two different procedures, with very different techniques and risks. If you want anything done more than just removing the extra skin on your abdomen, you will need a full abdominoplasty. As always, the decision to pursue surgery should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.    Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation in person with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck! 


Best
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS