Hello Reserved247707, Thank you for your question regarding whether you will need a pannus treatment or skin removal surgery after a weight loss of 17 pounds, with a goal of 60 pounds of total weight loss. Thank you for your history and pictures. A consultation would be mandatory before any surgery could be suggested. However, based on your history and photos, an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, would be your best option. Let’s analyze your picture. You have cutis pleonasmus (excess skin) and dermatocholosis (loose skin) of your abdomen. You have lipodystrophy (excess fat) of your abdomen with a grade 1 pannus. You have weakening of the rectus abdominis muscle with probable rectus diastasis (best determined during physical consultation). Since you have skin, fat, and muscle issues, liposuction alone cannot address them. You will need excision of skin and fat. A tummy tuck would be better than a panniculectomy because a tummy tuck would repair the muscle, reduce the pubic region, and reorient your belly button. These procedures are not performed with a panniculectomy. The procedure of a tummy tuck is conducted under general anesthesia and typically requires three to four hours to complete. An incision is made in the abdominal wall at a low level. The belly button is dissected from the abdominal wall after an incision is made around it. Dissection of tissue proceeds to the sternum. The rectus muscle is examined. Typically, the rectus muscle is plicated or sutured together to remedy rectus diastasis and flatten the abdomen. The excess abdominal wall skin and adipose tissue are removed, and the abdominal wall skin is redraped. The two drains are typically removed after 10 to 14 days. After approximately 2 weeks, most patients are able to resume their daily activities. After approximately six to eight weeks, the majority of patients are capable of resuming their typical exercise regimen. Most plastic surgeons offer free virtual or in-office physical consultations. Therefore, explore what other plastic surgeons have to say. Good luck. I hope I have answered your question about whether you will need pannus treatment or skin removal surgery after losing 17 pounds, with a goal of 60 total pounds of weight loss.
