Panniculectomy vs abdominoplasty after 100 lbs weight loss? (Photo)

Question

I’ve lost 100lbs and curious as to if I would need either an abdominoplasty or panniculectomy.Thanks!

Babak Moeinolmolki, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question and photos! From the information you provided, it looks like a tummy tuck plus some liposuction would yield a better aesthetic outcome vs. a panniculectomy alone. The panniculectomy will remove excess skin below your belly button but will not address stubborn pockets of fat in your abdomen, hips or flanks, tightening of the underlying abdominal wall and enhancing the appearance of the belly button. As some insurance plans cover panniculectomy for medical reasons, patients would opt to have a panniculectomy plus an add on cosmetic procedure for best results. Hope this helps!
Best, Dr. Babak Moein

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your questions whether you should undergo panniculectomy or abdominoplasty after 100 pound weight loss. Congratulations on your weight loss! That is truly a great accomplishment! In your case, you have a relatively small abdominal pannus. The pannus does not cover the pubic region. Therefore, I doubt that any insurance company would cover a panniculectomy. Since insurance is not part of the equation, I therefore suggest your optimal results would be achieved with a complete tummy tuck. The difference between a complete tummy tuck and a panniculectomy is that during a tummy tuck, the anterior abdominal wall is sutured, the belly button is reconstructed, and more excess skin and fat is removed from the lower abdomen. Overall, the cosmetic results from the tummy tuck are far superior than those of just a panniculectomy. If you just undergo a panniculectomy, your abdominal wall will still protrude, your belly button will be unchanged, and you will not have nearly as much skin and fat removed. Therefore, all in all, I would suggest a tummy tuck, rather than a panniculectomy. Thank you for your great question and thank you for your question regarding the panniculectomy. I hope that I have answered your questions whether you should undergo panniculectomy or abdominoplasty after 100 pound weight loss. I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss. If you have any more questions regarding the panniculectomy, extended lower body lift, lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy, please contact my office. Since the panniculectomy or lower body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the panniculectomy or lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 panniculectomies or circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, panniculectomy or lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

A panniculectomy only involves removal of the hanging tissue.  It does not involve the extent of tissue undermining or tissue removal or plication or umbilical transposition.  The panniculectomy addresses hygiene issues, rashes/infections, etc. which you deny.  Your would be a great candidate for a TT and lipo of the abdomen, waist, and flanks. Liposuction will allow you to have stubborn fat resistant to exercise and diet removed from unwanted areas and transferred to areas that can benefit from the added volume and will result in a waist as small as possible. Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Jeffrey Claiborne, MD · Answer

These two procedures are very common but have some important differences. They both remove the redundant skin below the belly button. A tummy tuck includes tightening of the belly wall and also tightens the loose skin above the belly button (because it adjusts belly button position). Traditionally, a panniculectomy does not move the belly button.
A panniculectomy is a medical/functional surgery simply designed to remove the skin fold at the lower belly. A tummy tuck is a functional and an aesthetic surgery - it removes the lower skin fold but also has some subtle maneuvers to optimize shape, flatness and aesthetic outcome.
Both procedures would help remove the excess skin, but a tummy tuck would give the best aesthetic outcome and shape. Hope that this helps. Have a great day!

Panniculectomy vs abdominoplasty after 100 lbs weight loss? (Photo)

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