Panniculectomy: is it worth it?

I've had a rough year medically; mainly struggling with anemia. I was working on getting an LBL, doing the insurance run around, etc. I got side tracked with everything else going on. I'm greatful my weight has stayed stable for the most part. I'm feeling better and exercising again. With all my recent hospital visits, I just can't deal with the thought of the pain and recovery time for an LBL. Still, my pannus is a real eye sore. I'm considering just a panniculectomy since that doesn't cut into the muscles. For those that had a panniculectomy, were you happy with it? Can the results/recovery of an TT and Panniculectomy even be compared? Torrey (281/160/183)

Hey Torrey - sorry you had such a rough year medically but it does sound that you are basically getting back to your old self. Now I have not had a panniculectomy, I had the whole LBL and I have to say that although the discomfort and the limitations of it all were surely a pain in the you-know-what, it was hardly the end of the world. No, I was not in constant pain. No, I was not popping pain meds. No, I did not need someone to totally wait on me hand and foot, though a good deal of assistant was needed. What I am saying is that based solely on my experience, I am very happy I did not just get a panni removal. First of all, if I'm going under the knife, I say do whatever you can do while I am under anesthesia to give me the most asthetically pleasing result as possible. The muscle tightening part of the tummy tuck makes you tight and uncomfortable at times but for the effect of a flat tummy, I guess I was willing to take that over just a panni removal. I have seen quite a few and some look just fine. Others look botched. Some look like they did exactly what they said - which was cut off the panni without a lot of attention to making it look nice, so there were still bulges and uneven spots and just a pooch remaining. It really depends on your panni and the doc that operates on you. Of course the decision is yours, but if your only consideration is the fear of the pain associated with getting a full tuck, I'd say go ahead and get the full tuck because I think that once you get through the first few weeks to a month post-op, you will be happier with the results.

Thanks so much for your response. It's not a fear of pain, it's fear of recovery and time in the hospital. I was hospitalized twice for my anemia, and stuck on the couch for weeks during iron transfusions. I can image doing that sort of recovery time again, plus pain, no matter what the level. I also had cataract surgery and other medical crud from staph infection to swimmers ear. From reading, research and experience, I don't want to deal with the depression that always followed surgery for me. At the same time, my hanging stomach and ill fitting pants are pretty depressing too. Two weeks of drains and four weeks of recovery are beyond me. So, I'm trying to find a balance between what I can have done, and what I can recover from. Torrey

Okay I hear you. You don't know if it's something you are emotionally prepared to withstand right now. Well, I will not lie to you. For me, it was more of an emotional trip than a physical one really but I finally got to the point where I decided to turn it around for myself but I had to get my mind focused right first. I will say this, if you tell yourself and your thoughts are concentrated on a challenging recovery and you say you are not emotionally prepared for it, then you won't be. I believe how you feel inside plays a direct part in how your body feels and your ability to deal with something. It may be too soon after your recent recovery challenges and enough time hasn't elapsed as yet so perhaps you do need to wait. If surgery in itself seems to have a bad effect on you, then you will STILL have issues with a panni removal. Either way, it's still major surgery. If you chose to hold off until you get emotionally in a better place for surgery, that is totally your choice as well. Until I could get my surgery, I wore control garments and body shapers to keep all my "excess" in chec****il I could get it surgically taken care of. It's just a suggestion for you and I hope you follow your heart and make the decision that is best for you.

also, the depression is often a physiologically based one resulting from the chemicals used to put you under. in my experience, my blah feelings were directly proportional to the amount of time i was kept under. i think its pretty hard to avoid completely, no matter how positive you are....

whether it is a panniculectomy or a LBL you will be undergoing anesthesia and trauma to your body and those are the risk factors for depression. any type of surgery will involve the same risks of infection, blood loss etc. I think the panni would give a much less result with the same risks and pain and recovery. I think it would be more depressing to have major surgery and then look and be dissapointed with the result and knowing you could have had better. Dont settle. You deserve the best.

Having just a panniculectomy wouldn't have done it for me. I had a full tummy tuck with muscle tightening. Although... now at over 2 years out from that... after everything has relaxed... I think I could use another one. But most of that is my own fault. I've gained weight in the past two years and just need to get myself back into shape. Some people though do really well with just a panniculectomy and you may be one of them. Good luck to you, Vickie

I had a panniculectomy and have been very happy with the results. After losing 205lbs, the surgeon removed about 7lbs of skin. Trust me, I have NO regrets! I have also struggled with anemia, and even had an iron infusion about 2mos prior to my PS. My surgery was done as an outpatient, I was home by 4pm, and went to church 4 days later. I was back at work within a week. Maybe I was just lucky, but I would do it again in a heartbeat! Lisa

i don't know if you considered it or not but - it is possible to get a TT or LBL WITHOUT having the muscle repair, which would significantly cut down on the pain and recovery, but still give you the benefit of a better aestetic outcome. i did have the muscle tightening with my TT but i was given a choice as i am young and haven't had kids yet, so my muscles were not torn up. many people choose not to get the muscle work if they are planning to have kids later or want the shorter recovery. my best suggestion would be to have a good hard talk with your PS, tell him about your medical history and concerns and see what options he is willing to offer you. there are some who won't do ONLY a panni because they don't like the outcome (i think dr lomonoco may have said this, but i'm not sure).

Personally I wouldnt do a Panniclectomy without the muscle repair but that is me...Recovery is recovery no matter how you look at it. My tummy tuck w/muscle repair and lipo was a 4 hour surgery and out patient as well. I was home early that evening as well as my 2nd round of plastics this past friday. Breasts/arms. Recovery is never easy but well worth the PAIN in the long run!! You have really been through alot in this past year and maybe you should just take it easy and plan for surgery next year...give you something to work towards and get stronger beforehand. Just a suggestion. I know it is hard to wait sometimes. Wishing you the best in whatever decision youmake! Julie