What Is a Panniculectomy?
A panniculectomy and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) are two surgical options for hanging tissue in the abdominal area. A tummy tuck is typically cosmetic and may involve tightening abdominal muscles, while a panniculectomy focuses on removing the overhanging skin and tissue.
What Is a Belly Apron and How Can a Panniculectomy Help?
A belly apron, also called an abdominal pannus, is excess tissue that hangs below the navel and over the pubic area. The condition can be caused by pregnancy, obesity, or changes in weight. After bariatric surgery, a patient may also have skin hanging down past the waist.
Panniculectomy is a type of surgery that removes a belly apron for medical reasons.
A large pannus can cause chafing or increase the risk of infection, skin irritation, or ulcers. In severe cases, it can hang low enough to interfere with daily activities. For this reason, a panniculectomy is considered medically necessary in some cases and may be covered by insurance, whereas a tummy tuck is usually not covered by insurance.
Am I a Candidate?
You may be a candidate if you:
- Have lost a lot of weight or experienced body changes that have created loose belly skin you wish to remove.
- Want to address skin irritation, lower back pain, or the discomfort of loose belly skin.
- Have failed conservative treatment of symptoms.
- Are in relatively good health, with no uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or other conditions that could create excessive risk during surgery.
- Do not smoke.
- Have realistic expectations.
- Have maintained your current weight for months and have plans to continue to do so.
- Are not pregnant and have no plans of becoming pregnant soon.
- Have not had weight loss surgery in the past 18 months.
The best way to determine whether panniculectomy is right for you is to consult with your medical provider or a surgeon with experience in this procedure. At Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute (SPRSI), you can schedule a consultation to explore your options.
What Can I Expect?
Before surgery, you may complete lab testing to confirm you are healthy enough for the procedure. You will get instructions about how to prepare. This may involve temporarily stopping certain medications or fasting before the procedure.
The surgery itself takes place under general anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon will make an incision in the lower abdominal or pubic area, remove excess skin, and then use sutures to reattach the top and bottom portions of skin.
How long a panniculectomy takes depends on the amount of skin removed and the incisions made. Typically, the procedure takes two to four hours.
In many cases, you will get to go home the same day, though with extensive surgery, you may need to stay overnight for observation.
How Painful Is Skin Removal Surgery?
During the procedure itself, you will be under anesthesia and will not feel pain. After the surgery, it is common to experience some pain, discomfort, swelling, and bruising. You may also have some numbness in the area. These symptoms are usually manageable and get better with your surgeon’s recovery instructions, though healing time varies by patient.
Your surgeon will explain post-operation care, which will generally involve avoiding heavy exertion.
Is a Panniculectomy Worth It?
Whether a panniculectomy is worth it is an individual decision that depends on your goals, expectations, and the extent to which excess belly skin bothers you. The potential benefits of a panniculectomy are especially notable if you have a large pannus or have had bariatric surgery.
If you have a large pannus, it can be hard to clean, leading to rashes, yeast infections, sores, and other problems. It can also get in your way and make clothes difficult to fit. A panniculectomy can reduce some of these concerns and help you feel more comfortable and confident in your daily life.
If you’re not sure whether a panniculectomy is worth it for you, speak with a surgeon at SPRSI. We can provide an honest assessment of what to expect so you can make the right judgment call for you.
What Are the Risks?
Like any surgery, panniculectomy does come with some risks, which include:
- Swelling or numbness
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Ongoing pain
- Bleeding at the incision site
- Scarring
- Blood clots
- Fluid buildup
Review the risks and benefits of the surgery with your surgeon before you make a decision, and always consult your medical team if you notice any worrying symptoms before or after your surgery.
Does Insurance Cover My Panniculectomy?
The total cost of panniculectomy depends on your surgical plan, insurance benefits, and whether additional care or facility fees apply. If your excess skin is causing medical problems, such as recurring infections, your insurance may pay for part or all of the surgery, depending on your situation and coverage.
At SPRSI, our team may be able to help with your insurance claims with photos, documentation, and pre-authorization requirements, if relevant. You can also seek financing for the procedure, or our team can review other available treatment options.
Schedule a Consultation for Personalized Guidance
Dr. Nathan Brought is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing panniculectomy surgery. SPRSI offers customized, holistic solutions for each patient, so we work with you to find the right approach.
Our team prioritizes responsive care, with direct communication instead of an answering service. Schedule a consultation with us by calling (615) 791.9090 or contact us online.
