Panniculectomy Questions

I went to my surgeon today and looks like I will be having a panniculectomy here shortly. He said because of my massive weight loss we need to go surgeries in steps to minimize risks. I got home and looked at different results people have had from them and now I'm terrified. Some of the pictures make people look like theyve been sliced in half. Dont really know how to explain it. I have realistic expectations, but I dont want to feel like more of a sideshow than I already do with this massive pannus hanging off of me. I've had it estimated at 20-30 lbs. Ive lost 180 lbs and do still have a way to go, but I'm hoping I can get some feedback from others who have went through it, good and bad. I appreciate it!

Hi! I live in WA too.. If you don't mind me asking.. Who is your ps? I went to Virginia Mason with Dr. Paige. He is wonderful. I just got my approval for my panniculectomy 2 days ago and I'm SO excited. My surgery date is June 18th.
Mine is a mid-journey panniculectomy though.. I have lost 150 lbs, but have aways to go but this thing is HUGE.. I estimate mine to be at least 20-30 lbs too. Truthfully, I can't wait to get it off of me. It'll probably feel so weird to have a lap again! LOL.... I don't know what you were told, but I won't be able to keep my belly button... I'm not having abdominoplasty with it either because that's not covered. I do, however, want him to do a mons lift if at all possible. I will pay for that.. Have you considered anything else besides the panni removal? I've seen pics too and some can be terrifying. But honestly, I can't even look in a mirror at myself with this thing on me, so I consider anything other than this a blessing!! So I can TOTALLY relate to the "side show" thing.. I think I even said that to my ps at the initial consultation.. lol 
 Are you having insurance cover it or are you self pay? Good luck to you and keep me informed on your journey! I'm really interested to see how it goes. :)
Christy

Hi! Great to hear from you. I have a feeling we are in the same boat. I am having mine done at Madigan with Dr. Beekley and Dr. Patel. Kind of scary when 2 surgeons are tackling ya. Mine is a mid journey panni as well. Kind of sad when you lose 180 lbs and are only a portion of the way there. lol I was wondering about the belly button ordeal because mine sits awful low. Hmm, I better ask. I will eventually deal with my thighs and mons area as well. I lift my belly up in the mirror and oh goodness. Not pretty lol It even feels wierd for the cold air to hit under the belly. Fortunately Tricare will cover the panni removal because of medical neccessity. I dont know how much more after that will be completely covered. I was told we can do this then once healed go back and deal with my rolls underneath my breast and back then thighs and mons. So exciting but so scary too. My husband is in Afghanistan so I'm tackling this without him. Ive lost about 50 lbs since he was home on leave and this will be the icing on the cake. I can't wait to run to him and get to jump into his arms like all those skinny chicks do. He says it will be like having a different woman picking him up... I said that was fine (I even gave him permission to take her home)! LOL

OH wow!! You're husband will be so surprised! (please tell him thank you for all his work and dedication!!)
Yes, we are in the same boat.. I hear ya on the "cold air" LOL!!! I did that the other day trying to imagine what it will be like and I can't even imagine. I can probably tell you that the belly button will be gone... My ps explained to me that because it's so huge and stretched out, he can't save it. I don't mind... But the mons thing... I really don't want to end up looking like a guy, you know? lol  He said he'll try to see what he can do.. I really hope he can get it looking halfway ok.. and yes, NOT PRETTY!! LOL  Thighs are gross too... But nothing is as bad as this stomach! I will still have my rolls above though.. That's another thing.. If you have "rolls" above, you'll still have them.. The panniculectomy is just the lower abdomen.. An abdominoplasty and lipo take care of the upper part and that's usually considered cosmetic.  
I have been researching and wanting this surgery for 7 years now so I can't stop thinking about it... I keep looking at clothing and dreaming about what it will be like to be able to pick a shirt and not have to worry about how long it is and if it will cover this thing! 
Well, it's good to meet you and good luck! If you happen to be on facebook, look me up (christy ivey marlowe) It's easier to keep in touch that way... Sometimes I don't get the notifications on this site. ;)

Christy

Oh, I am a facebook junkie. I'll find ya lol.

Hee Hee.... Me too!! 
I'm on there ALL the time.. LOL!! 

Terrible isnt it? lol

About the Mons Pubis, please ask your surgeon to lift it - even if he wants you to pay something extra, because I have a friend who  had a panni removal and her Mons wasn't lift - she looks like she has a scrotum and has a very difficult time wearing pants without it looking really bad.  She didn't ask him if he was going to lift hers, she just assumed he would - which I think is a natural and good assumption - he didn't and she's left looking pretty bad and she's very unhappy.  I just wanted you to be aware of this.  My Mons lift is my favorite part of my TT.

Wow, the amount of weight you have lost is abosolutely amazing! I can image how hard it is after all that hard work to have the skin hanging down.

The pictures that you are viewing of a panniculectomy is basically just the removal of skin. There is no repositioning of the belly button, muscle repair or sculpturing (lipo) of any kind. It is your most basic of skin removal, so it can look like someone has cut you in half and sewn you together again.

Some PS will go ahead and do a full or extended tummy tuck for an additional fee, however, if you can get them to do that, then at least the operating room, a portion of the Dr's fees, and anethesia is covered by the insurance.

Keep in mind that a tummy tuck result is only good for about a 20 lb weight loss. After that the skin will begin to wrinkle and sag and will need to be revised if you are unhappy with it.  

Depending on how self conscious you are about your body, you may just want to go ahead and have the panni done now and then do a full TT later. I have heard of those with massive weight loss to get insurance to cover more than one. If you do that, then the second one could end up being the TT with muscle repair and sculpting and belly button placement.

I wish you the best of luck!

I had an extended tummytuck and extended brachioplasty in December.  I still had 100lbs of my 300 plus pounds to lose.  He was able to keep my belly button and he lifted my mons.  I don't think I look like a freak at all.  I'm extremely pleased with how I looked right after surgery.  Since surgery I've lost almost 50 more pounds, so things are sagging again.  BUT I knew that would happen. When I go for my revision, I'm getting the Anchor cut TT.  I love my Mons area because it's up where it should be.  If you want to befriend me, you can see my befores and I'll post some afters just for you.  I don't share them with everyone because I don't want others to think I look bad.  For us who have lost so much and have these mid-journey plastics done, we don't look like others, but we have great improvements.  I think I look beautiful with clothes on and my sizes decreased from 18-20 to 12-14.  He removed 13lbs of skin.  Remember skin always weighs much less than we expect, so don't be surprised if yours doesn't weigh a lot.  I love my new Belly button too.  It's my old one, saved and it's healed very well.  Initially, I was a little fearful but it looks great now.