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It’s not unusual for patients to develop significantamounts of redundant abdominal tissue following massive weight loss. When thissituation arises, a variety of surgical options are available for treating thiscondition. The procedure chosen is dependent upon the patient’s anatomicfindings and specific aesthetic goals. Massive weight loss is accompanied bysignificant anatomic changes. Not only do patients develop large amounts ofredundant abdominal skin, but changes occur in the underlying muscles as well.In most cases, these muscles have been stretched and weakened. These changesare often accompanied by a midline separation known as a diastasis and occasionallythe development of hernias.When a patient undergoes abdominal panniculectomy, theprocedure is often tailored to meet the patient’s specific needs. When theunderlying abdominal muscles have undergone changes associated with weightloss, it’s appropriate to tighten and repair them. This is often a decisionthat’s made in the operating room under direct visualization.This decision not only involves aesthetic considerationsbut safety considerations as well. It’s important to realize that tightening theabdominal muscle can lead to respiratory insufficiency in some cases. For thisreason, it may not be appropriate to tighten the muscles in these cases.If you’re concerned about weakness of the underlyingabdominal muscles, it’s important to discuss themanagement of this issue with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be ableto formulate a treatment plan that addresses your concerns.
A panniculectomy will only remove the excess skin and fat that is forming the apron of skin, and won't do anything for anything above this. That's why a tummy tuck would probably be better for you. Muscle tightening will not be performed unless you request it.
Tummy tuck is mainly to improve shape and contour by plicating your core tight then re-draping the skin. Without the core tightening (muscle repair), its not a tummy tuck, but a panniculectomy (skin and fat resection). Massive weight loss almost always requires tightening of your core but if approved fro a panniculectomy only then core will not be tightend by PS.. See a board certified plastic surgeon.