Looking for people that have had a Panniculectomy

It is the best feeling in the world to feel real good about yourself , I am slowly feeling that but cant wait to feel proud of what I look like. Glad to hear your happy with yourself and accomplishments, Im sure it brought back *****yness in your life and thats awesome..

I had a panni removal 8/19 of last year.  Only thing I regret is insurance would only pay for that.  I need the rest of my tummy done.  My belly button is now right above my hoo-ha and I would like to have some skin between that and my belly button.  Need to save for that. My belly above hangs over it, not a lot but some and it bothers me a bit.  Also the "points" that were left in back, where I need more work done. Overall, I still need arms and thighs done.  Just getting the panni removed I lost 16 pounds, and went from a size 16 to a 12.  I could probably wear a 10 if it weren't for excess thigh skin.  Good luck to you!

Sally,
Thanks for sharing your journey with me, it must of been difficult not to ge the expected out you wanted. How much was your total cost of the Panniculectomy ? Thats horrible you couldnt get your insurance to pay for it, did you take before and after pictures? I am documenting my journey and have joined a website called TummyTuckTalk.ning.com and they all have had either Tummy Tuck or the Panniculectomy or breast aug or some sort of Plastic Surgery and they are the sweetest women on there and are all very willing to give you advice,answers, and encouragment..I had began to document my journey of the Panniculectomy/Adominoplasty and have my before pictures posted and will post my after pictures as well to help others that are seeking the same thing I am right now.. I guess with just a Panniculectomy they dont reposition the Belly Button unless the surgeon decides to do so and which mine said he is going to otherwise it will look strange to be in what we call the normal postion and he also said he would tighten the muscles while in there too...I am so afraid of not getting the outcome that I so highly am expecting right now and I am having alot of emotional issues about myself image and dont want it to go futher down the drain..

I had my panni removed MAY 3rd - it was day surgery...I slept in the recliner for about 2 weeks, and really ahve only been sore - no pain...the 1st drain was removed a week later and the 2nd 4 days after that one. I wasn't plaiing on bak to work for another 2 weeks, but started back last week about 6 hours a day.. an very, very tired when I get home....I agree with Despina..my top tummy still is big and floppy and boters me, but my lower bellyn is totallu falt..I will get some pic up soon! GOod luck!

Well congrats on the surgery but must be really bothered but not having the perfect belly that you probably pictured you would have after...I would love to see pictures of your outcome, did they strictly do just the panniculectomy or did they tighten the muscles too?

They only did the panni...from what I understand insurance will usually only do the panni...I will get pics up tomorrow!

If you have excessive skin on the top part of your abdomen the muscle tightening is not going to make that skin tighter. You will still have that extra skin. I'm just trying to be honest with you so you don't have expectations that are unrealistic. I think it's great that your surgeon is willing to tighten the muscles along with the panni removal. Have you asked him what it would cost you to pay for the anchor cut so that top portion of skin can be removed as well?

Best of luck to you!

Renee,
 No I havent asked him about the anchor cut but will monday morning when I get to see him, now does an anchor cut extend from side to side as well cause I want my love handles smoothed out as well lol...

Yes, the anchor cut has the horizontal cut and the vertical cut. An extended anchor cut means he goes even farther on the sides. That's how mine is. He took the horizontal cut almost to my back and it got rid of that extra skin on the hips.

my sister in law works for a plastic surgeon and that Dr. really looks down on the panni removal. She refuses to do it, says it is a terrible surgery with horrible results. But I've been reading here for a while and that isn't what I have been reading. Generally people are happy with their results. It's confusing...any thoughts, any one?