Panni vs. TT

Oh no, I was actually asking that question of Mari.  I plan to begin looking into plastics when I get to about 200 lbs. I have been over 300 for so long I can't even imagine weighing less than that.

got it!!  good luck to you!

kim

Michelle,
I had my  panni way before WLS. I never thought I'd qualify for WLS. I have 6 kids, weighed almost 300 lbs and my stomach was hanging down to my "woo hoo". I thought to myself, "what if I never lose the weight, I hate my stomach, so why not look into ps?" So I did it.
Luckily for me, WLS came up at my annual pap smear by my Dr. and I did qualify. Also, my stomach has shrunk with the rest of me. Thank goodness. So, yes, I did it in a odd way. But at the time I thought I'd be heavy forever! Having the panni while heavy really changed a lot for me, too. Much easier to not have to find shirts that hang down to my thighs, bend over, move. etc. Even exercise. I lost around 25 lbs after having the surgery, before WLS!

Thanks for explaining Mari.  Now that you've had WLS do you think you'll pursue a full tummy tuck, or the help of the panni makes it unnecessary?

I'm not sure. I would have such a smaller waist if I had my muscles tightened. But I look pretty good for my age, and my DH likes me no matter what. LOL Only time will tell. I'll wait and see what I can do with exercise and I'm at goal. (I do not have any hanging skin, after losing 81 lbs on my stomach)

I had a panni on 5/8/09   with an anchor cut and it turned out beautifully. MY PS said , the result had to do with the type of incision he did. Just a plain panni with hip to hip incision would not have resulted in what I have now, and am totally thrilled. I will be posting pics in a few weeks when swelling is down a bit, but am really happy. I also did not have to have muscles tightened as they were not 'split'. Insurance paid for this. Hope this helps and I hope all turns out well for you!
MJ (Boston) RNY 6/25/01 pre-op 335 goal 160 Breast reduction 4/04  38J to 38C
Panniculectomy with anchor incision 5/8/09 (10lbs skin lost) re-do of breast reduction to correct flaws 38c to 38c- with lateral breast lift.

Please tell me more about what you did to get the insurance to pay it and what you had done. I am working on getting the panni removed.

The only thing I did was to document any rashes/back pain (from strain of having extra weight in front) and my PS did photos to send to insurance company. I can say, that after the panni, I no longer have the back pain, so I know that was part of my problem. but document, document, document with ps and your pcp. Hope this helps, MJ

who did you use in boston for your ps?

Dr. Dan Driscoll at Newton Wellesley Hospital, he was great! I also workk with him in the OR, so I knew about his great work....hope this  helps, MJ