Anchor Cut Panniculectomy?

 Aetna insurance has approved for my Panniculectomy that is scheduled on 1/21/10 with Dr. Berger in Burbank.

I received a good deal to "upgrade" to a full tummy tuck, however, since I'm on a high-deductible HSA plan it's already going to be a struggle to come up with the deductible/out-of-pocket max for the Panniculectomy that I'm not sure I could upgrade to the TT.

I considered postponing my surgery again (it was originally scheduled for October but due to it being our busiest season - i work in employee health benefits - I had to reschedule) but my approval is only good through the end of February.  The surgeon only does his surgeries at the hospital on Thursdays so my timing is fairly limited.  I could reschedule to the 25th of February but it won't do me any good to get 2 more paydays in because it still won't be enough for the full TT upgrade.

So here I am almost 4 years out from WLS and desperate to get rid of all of this skin.  I've been patient and put it off for as long as I could and January is really the only time I can do it.  I'm extremely worried about the muffin top and I wonder just how common an anchor cut panniculectomy is?  Unfortunately my surgeon is not available right now during the holidays to discuss this.

IF he were to do the typical incision for a panniculectomy, does it at least pull down some of the skin from above the belly button?  I could handle wearing camisoles to help tone down the muffin top as long as it's not extremely pronounced larger than where my panni was.

If you're at goal your doctor should be able to pull some of he excess skin down.  I had a TT which was actually more like a panniculectomy.  He was able to pull some of the skin down but because I am not at goal, he didn't get it all down.  It wouldn't have been safe.  I would wait and ask him if he can do that for you.  I am extremely happy with what I got.  I saw pictures of Anchor cut panniculectomies and I didn't like the way they looked.  So I'm glad I got what I did.  Is there a way you can finance the cost of the upgrade?

 That's what I'm hoping!  I would like for some of the excess to get pulled down and then I can just continue wearing my camisoles that I wear anyway to cover a cruddy tattoo I got on my upper right chest many (19!) years ago.

A Panni works well unless you hvae a pronounced muffin top above your belly button (like I did).  I have seen wonderful outcomes without the anchor, but not when the area above the belly button was to big and hanging.

Best of Luck!

I had two 'shelves' of skin and fat in my tummy area - the panni SUCKED major wind!  lol  I had an anchor TT a year later to fully correct things.

You may just want to deal with it in stages - I had the panni in 08, the anchor TT this year

 This is what I'm thinking - that I may just do it in stages if I need to.

I had an in-between procedure. I had more than a panniculectomy, but not a TT with muscle tightening. Some call it a mini TT others a extended panniculectomy. Basically my PS pulled all the belly skin down and moved my belly button back up to where it should be. My before and 1 week pictures are on my profile. I still have a lot of swelling, but no muffin top. It shouldn't be too much extra to have this done.

Martha

 Martha - 

That is what I was thinking I wanted to ask my surgeon to do - to basically do the TT but w/o the muscle tightening...Your pics look good!

~Tisha

The only main difference between a TT and panniculectomy is the muscle tightening.  If the majority of your excess skin is below your BB then you should get decent or nice results.  It's usually when there is a lot of excess skin above the belly and maybe even some fat there that can have less than optimum results.  Only your surgeon can really tell you.  I think the anchor cut  with muscle tightening will give the best result if you are at goal and have excess skin above the BB.  Now if you you can't afford to do the TT then just do the panni since you only have until February to make it happen .  I just think it will cost more doing them separately because you will be paying OR and anesthesia out of pocket without help from your insurance.  I know it's a tough position to be in.  Who knows, maybe you'll be happy enough with the panniculectomy!

I do have a bit of extra skin above my BB - I wish I had a pic to show but my laptop was stolen a few months back so some (un)lucky soul is having a good 'ol time looking at all my nekkid pics in my panties.  I'm sure they are not impressed. LOL

Is it normal to have another appointment with the surgeon prior to the surgery?  I'm just wondering if I should make another appointment with him to thoroughly discuss things a little bit more.