What is a Panniculectomy?

People who lose significant amounts of weight often end up with excess skin on their abdomen, hips and pubic region that causes hygiene problems like bad body odor, rashes or sores.

Panniculectomy can remove this extra skin to improve comfort and health. When selecting a plastic surgeon to perform panniculectomy surgery, find one who has both general body contouring procedures as well as specific experience performing panniculectomy surgery.

What is a panniculectomy?

A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a flap of excess skin known as a pannus from around your genital area, hips or knees that is hanging loose and potentially causing medical problems like foul body odor, sores, yeast infections or lower back pain. A panniculectomy may be required after significant weight loss or bariatric surgery has taken place and health insurance may cover its cost in cases such as rashes and ulcers caused by it.

Panniculectomy aims to enhance quality of life for those living with excessively loose skin, but should not be seen as a cure for obesity. Patients undergoing this surgery should continue with healthy lifestyle choices like eating sensibly and engaging in regular physical activity after surgery so as to avoid regaining weight after undergoing their surgery.

If you are considering panniculectomy surgery, it is crucial that you select a surgeon with extensive experience and an excellent reputation. When scheduling your consultation be sure to ask for before and after photos from previous patients; an established surgeon should gladly provide these for your viewing, without considering it an unusual request.

During a panniculectomy procedure, you will be administered general anesthesia. A surgeon will make several incisions in the abdominal region to cut away excess skin before suturing remaining layers back together and possibly repositioning or removing your navel (belly button). Sometimes they may even perform liposuction to enhance results from panniculectomy surgery.

Following your procedure, it will likely require staying overnight in a hospital or licensed ambulatory surgical center. As it will likely leave you groggy when leaving, having someone available to drive you home afterward is essential.

Recovering from a panniculectomy may take months. Expect some discomfort during healing, though this should subside over time as your incision sites heal. In order to ensure optimal recovery, follow-up appointments may need to take place each week in the early stages.

How is a panniculectomy performed?

Panniculectomy is a major surgical process and must be conducted under general anesthesia. The surgeon typically makes two incisions, one horizontal across the lower abdomen and another vertical one that runs from sternum to pubic bone, in which any hanging skin or fat is pulled down through these incisions and closed with staples. Most panniculectomies spare the belly button (umbilicus); however, large panniculectomies may necessitate removal. In such instances, two or three Jackson-Pratt drain tubes will help prevent fluid buildup post surgery.

Like with any surgery, panniculectomy requires a recovery period following its completion. Swelling, bruising and pain are typical side effects after the procedure and usually subside within seven to 14 days after that. Stitches will need to be placed at the incision site which either dissolve naturally over time or need to be removed by hand later on. Your physician will provide specific instructions regarding postsurgery care including proper movements to speed recovery.

Panniculectomy candidates include both men and women in good health who are bothered by excessive abdominal skin that does not respond to diet and exercise, typically after bariatric surgery or other significant lifestyle changes that led to weight loss. They may have lived with this massive pannus for months or even years, impacting mobility, hygiene and comfort issues.

Patients considering cosmetic surgery should avoid trying to lose more weight prior to the procedure as this could impede its results and increase the risks for complications. It is also essential for them to inform their plastic surgeon of any preexisting conditions so they can take appropriate precautions during recovery.

After surgery, patients should arrange to have someone available to drive them home afterwards. Depending on the extent of their procedure, they may need to stay overnight in hospital for observation and recovery purposes. It is essential to follow your doctor’s recovery instructions in order to achieve long-lasting results and avoid activities which might aggravate surgical sites by bumping them or injuring them accidentally.

What are the risks of a panniculectomy?

Panniculectomy, also known as pannus removal, can occur following dramatic weight loss via bariatric surgery or strict dieting and exercise alone. A panniculectomy differs from tummy tuck in that it doesn’t strengthen or tighten abdominal muscles but simply cuts away excess skin before suturing it back together again – this procedure may even be covered by health insurance if considered medically necessary; anyone considering panniculectomy should discuss it with their primary care doctor and request referral for evaluation at either a hospital or licensed ambulatory surgical center before making their decision.

Pre-consultation patients can expect a physical exam and laboratory tests, along with adjustments or discontinuations of medications and fasting for several hours prior to surgery. They must disclose any preexisting conditions which might interfere with results as well as plans to lose more weight or become pregnant in the near future.

Once they return from surgery, it’s essential for patients to heed the advice of their doctors when it comes to rest and limiting strenuous activity. Swelling can take weeks or months to subside and wounds to heal properly – it is vital that patients remain stable during this timeframe and it would also be wise for someone else to drive them home and assist with household duties during recovery period.

complications from panniculectomy may be rare but serious. People may develop cellulitis, small abscesses, seromas, delayed wound healing, hematomas and epidermolysis; older individuals and those with higher BMIs tend to be more at risk than their younger, healthier counterparts as they age more slowly than other tissues when healing wounds. To mitigate such risks and seek experienced surgeons such as Nathan Brought at Southern Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Institute can be invaluable.

What are the benefits of a panniculectomy?

Panniculectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove overhanging skin and fat from the lower abdomen for cosmetic or functional reasons, sometimes combined with liposuction for maximum results. It may be performed for cosmetic or functional reasons and often follows major weight loss – particularly after gastric bypass surgery – though pregnancy-related concerns or hernias could also warrant it as possible solutions. Panniculectomy procedures help people feel more confident about their appearance after significant weight loss while alleviating pain caused by large abdominal folds.

Before considering plastic surgery, an individual must carefully consider their goals and motivations as well as consult their physician in order to make sure they are an ideal candidate. At their consultation appointment, doctors will conduct an in-depth evaluation of both abdominal and body contour. Furthermore, they will discuss any recommendations with them as well as address any of their queries or concerns that arise during that meeting.

Panniculectomy offers numerous advantages to its recipients. These can include improved self-esteem, decreased back pain, increased mobility and hygiene improvements such as decreased risk of dermatitis in the suprapubic region and decreased need for colostomy bags or dialysis procedures. However, it should be remembered that panniculectomy should only be considered when people are at or near their ideal weight and plan to maintain that level long term.

At the outset of a panniculectomy procedure, an anesthesiologist will first administer anesthesia. They then make a small incision in the abdomen and remove excess tissue by making a series of incisions in small sections, tightening muscles if necessary and reconstructing belly buttons if required. They may also insert drains for extra fluid removal.

After surgery, patients will experience swelling and bruising that should subside within several days with rest and taking prescribed medications as directed by their physicians. Furthermore, it’s essential that they drink water regularly as prescribed and stop smoking as this interferes with wound healing and blood flow – have someone drive them home after the procedure and assist for the first few days afterward if possible.