Does a person who weighs 280 have to lose weight before undergoing apron surgery?

Question

I am a 41 year old female who weighs 280 lb. I have been over weight my entire life. At age 12 I had an emergency splenectomy and my stomach muscles were severed from around my sternum all the way to just above my pubic region. Each year my stomach hangs more, I now feel that it is hindering my mobility. Would it be a possible under these conditions to undergo apron removal without losing the weight first. My stomach is very disproportionate to the rest of my body such as my legs.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  I hope that these answers 
help!  A panniculectomy is an excellent method for removing the excess 
skin and soft tissue of the lower abdomen (abdominal panniculus), often 
caused by weight loss.   It is mainly performed to ameliorate symptoms 
caused by the abdominal apron such as hygiene issues, excoriations, 
rashes/infections, back pain, etc.  A panniculectomy gives almost 
immediate relief from these issues as well as has been shown to 
stimulate additional weight loss as your activity level is increased 
after removal of the panniculus.  An abdominoplasty is more of an 
aesthetic procedure in that as opposed to simply excising this excess 
tissue in a wedge to relieve complaints, an abdominoplasty focuses more 
on abdominal contouring, abdominal wall tightening, re-insetting the 
belly button, as well as often times the addition of liposuction.

I would highly recommend continued diet and exercise prior to 
consideration for a panniculectomy or body contouring as getting down to
 your ideal weight 
prior to the procedure will certainly give you the best results as well 
as be the safest for you.  Neither one is a weight loss procedure.  
Also, a
 continued healthy and active lifestyle will be needed in order to 
maintain the benefits that the procedure has given to you.   You should 
consult with a 
plastic surgeon at anytime to go over options and  in order to assist 
you in 
deciding which procedure(s) would be right one for you.   Depending on 
your examination, photo documentation, and discussion of your symptoms, 
insurance coverage may be possible.  Best wishes for a wonderful result!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Generally speaking, the tummy tuck operation provides for a more aesthetically pleasing outcome than a panniculectomy operation. The tummy tuck operation is best done once you have reached your long-term stable weight.  In my practice, I would offer you the panniculectomy operation at any point, if you have reached a plateau with your diet and exercise program, and simply wish to have the lower abdominal wall skin/adipose tissue removed.  Keep in mind,  that patients who undergo surgery when they are overweight, are exposed to greater risks.

My best suggestion: seek consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you will be pleased with. Then, learn about options, and the pros/cons/risks/complications associated with each option. You may find the attached link, dedicated to patients who have experienced significant weight loss, helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Panniculectomy is usually for people who have lost 100 lbs or more relatively quickly and when you have a BMI of less than 30.

Lee E. Corbett, MD · Answer

This is a case where you are safest to meet with an experienced Board Certified plastic surgeon and consider the risks involved with surgery at your current weight. Some general truths are that risks and complication rates do increase as your BMI increases. Also, what other medical conditions do you have, these will figure strongly into the decision to proceed. In the end, you are best served to sit down with your surgeon and carefully consider your particular situation. The decision to proceed or not is very individualized.

Does a person who weighs 280 have to lose weight before undergoing apron surgery?

Answers (4)

Answer: Timing of your surgery

Answer: Timing of your surgery

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Everything you need to know about Panniculectomy

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Does a person who weighs 280 have to lose weight before undergoing apron surgery?

Answers (4)

Answer: Timing of your surgery

Answer: Timing of your surgery

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Panniculectomy

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.