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Is panniculectomy major surgery?
Panniculectomy is a major surgery that can require weeks or months to fully heal. However, if you’re dealing with extra skin after weight loss, surgery can help improve your health and quality of life.
What is the recovery time for panniculectomy surgery?
You will need to be off work for a minimum of 4-6 weeks following abdominoplasty/panniculectomy. Do not lift anything over 10 pounds for at least 6 weeks after your surgery. If you have small children, do not lift them up, or hold them in your lap for at least 3-4 weeks after your surgery.
What does your BMI have to be for a panniculectomy?
Reaches a body mass index (BMI) less than or equal to 30 kg/m2; or. Has documented at least a 100 pound weight loss; or. Has achieved a weight loss which is 40% or greater of the excess body weight that was present prior to the individual’s weight loss program or surgical intervention.
Does Medicare cover a panniculectomy?
Medicare covers panniculectomy when it’s a medical need. This is the removal of the pannus. There is no rule to define cost or coverage prior to plastic surgery.
Do I need a tummy tuck or panniculectomy?
The main difference between Panniculectomy vs Tummy Tuck is that a panniculectomy is often considered a medical necessity while a tummy tuck is typically for cosmetic purposes. More severe sagging that causes health issues like rashes and ulcers is addressed through a panniculectomy.
How much do you have to weigh to get a panniculectomy?
Panniculectomy is usually for people who have lost 100 lbs or more relatively quickly and when you have a BMI of less than 30.
What is a panniculectomy?
A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the pannus — excess skin and tissue from the lower abdomen. This excess skin is sometimes referred to as an “apron.” Unlike a tummy tuck, the panniculectomy does not tighten the abdominal muscles for a more cosmetic appearance, disqualifying it as a cosmetic procedure.
Why is it important to lose weight before a panniculectomy?
It also helps you feel more confident that you can maintain your results over time. While it’s best to lose weight before having the surgery, in some rare cases, a panniculectomy can be performed at the same time as weight-loss surgery.
Should I get a tummy tuck or panniculectomy for my stomach folds?
“Most people who have a panniculus also have large upper stomach folds, and they would much rather have all the skin redraped, which is what a tummy tuck does,” says Dr. Adam Oppenheimer, a plastic surgeon in Orlando, Florida. “A panniculectomy addresses only the lower folds—it leaves all the upper folds of loose skin there.”
What happens to my belly button during a panniculectomy?
The navel (belly button) generally gets repositioned during procedure. A large panniculectomy may result in the loss of the navel, with some doctors even charging an additional fee just to save your belly button. Your doctor should express the likelihood of this possibility over the course of your initial consultation.