PANNI patients..

Okay, this is a bit graphic but not really...

I'm considering a TT or Panni--of course insurance will only cover Panni.  My question is concerning my second ROLE....the one on top of the "apron"...Yes, I have both.  After having your panni, did your other top roll get pulled down & smoothed out?

I did not have much of one above my belly button.  My doc said nothing above the bellybutton would change.  This worked for me but if you have much above and want it flat, you might want to try another option.

From what I was told, hey remove the belly button and can pull the skin down, then reattach it, BUT you will still have some "pooch" there.  I had my surgeon show me what would be left if I didn't have the anchor, and if I bent over, it still hung.....

Now - MultiMom had a panni and she's really happy with the area above her belly button - she may chime in soon.

My insurance paid for my panni and I paid for the TT as I had the "roll" as well.  The Panni only takes care of the apron under the belly button. I am really glad I had both done!

I guess my Dr. turned my procedure in to insurance as just a panni, because that's what all the nurses in the hospital called it and that's what they wrote on my MLOA paperwork for my job, but I got a full curcumfrienctial abdominoplasty with an anchor cut. I had a triple panniculus and they told me without the anchor cut I would still have the "muffin top" so that's what they did.

I had a panni with small hernia repair. Mine was pulled down and smoothed out, but I no longer have a belly button.

is it weird not having one anymore?

It was..for about 2 days. The husband said you don't even really notice. I didn't believe him but everybody I have showed my scar too doesn't say anything about it, then I ask "does it look weird?" They always say the same thing, " no the scar looks great, it's so thin" I say " no, I mean no belly button?" They get this shocked look and say "whoa, no kidding! I didn't even notice".

What IS weird, is when I rub UNDER my scar at the top of my thigh, very lightly.. I feel a twinge ABOVE the scar about 5 inches like I am actually rubbing there. THAT was weird. =) nerves are crazy fun

It really depends on what your surgeon is willing to do for a panni removal.

Check out my pics - I think I am a good example of a double fold and what a crappy panni job will give you.

Go to: www.picturetrail.com

At the top right, in the white box where it says 'Member' enter: makemeover2009

The password to the albums is: Buford2009

The album to the right marked 'Pre op pics' is the before and after on the panni

The other is the before and afters from my anchor cut TT and breast lift.

I had a "Panni" (hip to hip).  I had a pretty substantial muffin top and unfortunately, still do - it's just a bit lower.  If I had to do it over again, I would have paid to have an anchor cut.