SURGERY DATE!

Hey -

Just wanted you all to know that I will be having a panniculectomy done on April 8th.  Would like to have a complete tummy tuck but my insurance will only cover the panni.  I'm excited, but a little nervous too! 

Hugs,
Pammie

Congrats and Good luck,

Edie

Pamie.
Congrats and I wish you the best of luck on the surgery. I know you will feel great having it done. I am looking forward to that someday in my future. I may love to cook, but I hate having my own built in apron.
Big HUGS to you,
Nick

That is very cool.  Can you tell me what the difference is between the tummy tuck and the panniculectomy?

Sound like I will need to start saving my $$ for the day I will need everything fixed.  And I will!  I looked horrible last time I lost a lot and I exercised like a fool and was lots younger.

Sure, I like lots of others believed they were the same procedures.  They're not.

A panniculectomy removes only the "apron of fat" that is left hanging below the belly button usually after significant weight loss.  With a tummy tuck (or abdomnioplasty) the fat below the belly button is removed as well as any above the waist line and the muscles in the upper abs are surgically tightened as well.  Big difference - usually several thousand dollars worth of diff.

Most insurance now days will NOT pay for an abdomnioplasty (or tummy tuck) as it is more commonly known.

Hope this helps.

Pam

Hey Pam,
I just had a panniculectomy.  I decided not to have the "anchor" or upside-down T cut for many reasons, one of them was the cost.
I am going to get lipo on the little "puff" that is left over my belly button.  Overall, I'm really happy with what I had done.  Don't fret about not being able to have the technical abdominoplasty.  I know you'd like to have it if you could, but I'm sure you'll be happy with what you do have done.  I know after having over 20 lbs. of stuff taken off, I'm pretty happy!

PS-of course I have to add my own "glass half empty" commentary to this LOL  You may not change clothes size.  Remember that whatever size pants you are wearing have to fit your thighs, legs, butt, etc.  None of that is going to change after surgery.  But it will feel so much better not having to tuck that panni in to your pants!

Good luck and congrats on your next step!

WOW Brenda was it really 20 lbs worth.

At my follow up visit I asked Dr. Alderman how much she took off.  She started laughing and said "that chunk was at least 20 lbs!  But you don't win the prize for the biggest."  I wonder who did?  Everything is still numb, but when I get dressed, I still pull the waistband of everything up and out to go over the big overhang!  I wonder if I will ever get used to it not being there.

That's one way to get the last 20 off.  Not an easy way thou.    I'm sure one day you overhang will be a dim memory  How long did I take for you to feel better after?

Well, it's been 4 weeks and I'm moving around pretty well.  Some days it feels like when  you have done too many crunches....just a little sore.
I had surgery on Wednesday and on Sunday night I went in to work for about 2 hours.  But, like I said before, I didn't have the T cut, so really my ab muscles weren't cut.  This makes for a shorter recovery time.
BTW-I weigh 7 lbs. more than I did the morning of surgery.  So much for taking off 20 lbs!