Panniculectomy Scheduled

Hi there!  I used to be a member of this site and posted often in the Jan 05 boards, but left for various reasons.  I am now at the point in time when I am sure there are no more babies in my future and I am ready for plastics.

I have been approved by my insurance company and the procedure is deemed as "medically necessary" as I had documentation including photos, to help present my case.  It was very fast and very simple, at least on my side.

Now my surgery is scheduled for Feb 4th and while I have waited a very long time for this, I am now beginning to get nervous!  I had persistent seromas both with my open RNY and my hernia surgeries, and I reeeeally don't want to deal with that again.  Those things HURT and I was on pain meds for about 5 months each time, post procedure.

The doctor mentioned body sculpting and the things he COULD do, but financially that is not an option for me...at least at the moment.  We'll just go with what the insurance will cover.  What I really want to know is...does he pull and tighten stomach muscles too?  What about under the incision...is that skin pulled upwards?  Do you get a new belly button? 

In general, people tell me that they would never guess that I had WLS and was once 300lbs.  I am 5ft 9, used to be a size 22/24 and now am a 4/6.  I weigh around 155-165...I give myself that range.  Anything less than 155 and I do NOT look good.  Now that we are past the holidays...I am dreading on going to my regular doctor (for sinusitis) because I know I will be weighed.  Let's just say I wasn't on my best behavior in terms of my diet.

That being said, I feel like I want to lose more weight...and get as low as I can in this final month before surgery.  Has anyone else felt this way?  I feel like I need some friends to go through this with.  With my RNY, my best friend had her surgery 2 weeks after I had mine and we had each other to lean on.  I have since moved away and I do not know anyone who has had this surgery or WLS for that matter!  I am hoping that's where this forum comes in....

Just looking for information and support, I guess!  Do you have any tips for me?  I'm a sponge, willing to learn.

Thanks for reading!
Shellz

check with your surgeon but usually with a panniculectomy they only take off the skin, they don't fo the muscle tightening cause ins. doesn't cover the muscle tightening some PS may do it any way. ask about the belly button.
some Dr. give you a new one and some charge extra. I had a full TT with muscle tightening and I got a new BB check out my pix
good luck Susan

Hi.  I am having my Tummy Tuck and abdominal muscle tightening with a little bit of lipo On MONDAY... I don't need the lipo but he Dr. says it is included, as is the tightening...They are already in there it seems reasonable to take care of it all... My surgery is estimated to be only 90 minutes.  Anyway, I wanted you to know that I also had the need to be in the best possible shape .  I am at the low end of my 5 lb fluctuation...It just seemed important to me..   The better shape we go in the better shape we come out... Right !

Good Luck, Pamela

I had a panni about two months ago.  You will be flat below the belly button but there will be nothing tightened above.  I had worked out for many years and was pretty flat in that area so the panni was just fine for me.  I don't have a muffin top.