What is a Panniculectomy?
A panniculectomy is a surgery to remove the excess skin and tissue from the lower abdominal area, which is referred to as the pannus. The surgery is often performed as an adjunct to a tummy tuck procedure and results in flattening of the abdominal wall.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for a Panniculectomy?
You may an ideal candidate if you:
- Have excess skin and tissue in the lower abdomen
- Are relatively healthy and your weight has been stable over the past 6 months
- Don’t smoke and are physically active
- Have realistic expectations of surgery
Preparing for Surgery
Specific instructions will be provided by your surgeon. In general, you should:
- Get a health checkup to clear you for the procedure.
- Inform your surgeon regarding any health conditions, allergies, and medications.
- Avoid smoking as it can slow down the healing process.
- Follow the pre-surgery dietary restrictions.
Panniculectomy Procedure
The panniculectomy procedure involves the following steps:
- General anesthesia or intravenous sedation is administered so you will be comfortable during the procedure.
- A horizontal incision is made extending from one hip bone to the other.
- A vertical midline incision may be made from the belly button area extending down to the pubic bone if there is excess tissue and skin in this area.
- Special instruments are used to remove excess fat and tissue through the incisions.
- In some cases, the belly button may also be repositioned or removed.
- Surgical drains may be inserted to allow for drainage of excess fluid.
- The remaining tissue and edges of skin are pulled together and sutured in place.
- Surgical tape is then placed over the incision sites and a compression bandage applied to minimize swelling.
Recovery after Panniculectomy Procedure
You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the incision site and surgical drain. There will be some temporary pain, discomfort, and swelling after the procedure. You may be prescribed medications to minimize your symptoms. Your sutures and drain will be removed after a week. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for a few weeks. Full recovery may take a couple of months and you need to have follow-up appointments to ensure a positive surgical outcome.
Risks and Complications of Panniculectomy
As with any surgery, there is a minimal risk of complications that include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Nerve injury
Benefits of Panniculectomy
The benefits of panniculectomy include:
- Improved abdominal contour
- Weight loss of 5-10 pounds depending on the amount of excess tissue removed
- Improved personal hygiene and reduced risk of skin rash or ulcers due to an enlarged pannus
- Improved physical fitness