Need advice on TT vs panni

I am having some difficulty on this subject.

I'm 23 years old, unmarried, no kids (but would probably like some/one).  I've lost 200lbs and I'm over 3 years out of my DS.

When I got a quote for a tummy tuck and all...it was wayyy out of my price range (over $20k!) to get the procedure I want by the surgeon I'm want.

I was considering just getting a panniculectomy instead and saving a TT for after I have kids or later.  Is the price difference worth it?  I really want to get rid of my excess tummy skin.  I'm quite thin and I am not sure how many more times I can take someone asking if I'm pregnant or when I'm due.  I really don't want to wait some uncertain amount of time to get rid of it.  I just feel very out of proportion.

Despite the excess skin, my panni does not hang over my entire pubic area and I haven't had a single rash...so I doubt insurance will kick in anything.  I think I could afford something more reasonably priced, but I'm just not sure.  I know I'd be settling and I just don't want to end up hating my body.  I just need some advice!

If I were in your shoes, Kayla, I would go ahead and get the panni removed. Like you said, you could save up for the tummy tuck and have it done after you have children. You will love being free of all of that extra skin.

Perhaps you need to start developing some skin irritations over the next few months.......If I get the slightest thing could possibly be interpreted as a skin irritation, I go to my PCP and get it documented.  He's great like that.  :)

My panni needed to hang over my pubic bone, which I don't think is that hard to do - and mine wasn't all that big... and insurance paid for it.  It has a LOT to do with how the Dr's office bills it... and they had to take pics, measurements, etc.  I didn't have rashes either or any other issues other than it bounced around...  I "upgraded" to a full tummy tuck for $1000 extra.  a $20k price tag for a tummy tuck is really outrageous.  I had other quotes of around $7-8K for the whole thing.

I found a surgeon that participated with my insurance and does a lot of insurance work.  He's also very highly recommended and did a fantastic job. 

Personally I'd go w/ the full TT. The panni will only remove the hanging skin below your belly button. If you have any extra skin above it won't do any good. You're only 23 so who knows how long it will be before you get married or have kids. I'm the same way and decided to do the full LBL rather than wait for something I didn't know when or if it would happen.

The 20k does seem a bit high but it may be the area you're in. I had an LBL and brachio and only paid 12k for it. You may want to look at other areas to have your surgery. Dr. S in MX does good work at a fraction of the cost. Also other non-metropolitan areas may have some very good PS that don't charge what the Dr.'s in the big cities do.

A panni typically does NOT include many of the "fine touches" that make a tummy tuck a more desirable procedure in most cases.  I reserve the panni for patients with really massive skin excess who are having issues with infections, walking, sitting, etc.

Be sure you see a lot of photos from your surgeon if you DO go the panni route so you will know what to expect.  Doing a tummy tuck or a revision after a panni is not easy and that's why I advise caution before proceeding.

Fortunately, mine was covered by insurance but I interviewed 4 surgeons and neither of them gave me a quote of over 2oK. In fact if u would like Please Pm me and I willl give you my surgeons information. I am very pleaed with my results and was willing to pay cash if insurance would not have covered it. I actualy ended up having a complete lowerbody lift and just paying for the back portion cash.

It can be very frustrating for patients following their weight loss success to find out that they do not qualify for a panniculectomy and insurance will not help them out. Patients that have loose skin and relaxation of the abdominal wall usually require a tummy tuck. This procedure removes the excess skin and tightens your abdominal wall musculature. This a cosemtic body contouring procedure. A panniculectomy just removes the excess skin and does not do anything to tighten the underlying muscles.  From reading your post a panniculectomy will not give yu the results you want to achieve.

Plastic surgeons vary in price based on location, reputation and the overall plastic surgery market. I would suggest you see other plastic surgeons in your area to see if this price is truly market. The key is finding a plastic surgeon that is board certified and highly skilled in treating post-weight los patients. In the Metropolitan Washington DC area the average cost is 10-12K, but can be less or more depending on the patient.

Congratulations on your weight loss, best of uck getting your tummy tuck.

Kayla, first of all, congratulations on your weight loss. Panniculectomy is limited to removal of the excess skin of the lower tummy. It does not include tightening of the muscles, lifting of the mons, correction of the belly button or liposuction. It is a reconstructive procedure that does not include the cosmetic portion of a tummy tuck. The belly button is frequently lowered or even removed with a panniculectomy. Panniculectomy is frequently reserved for cases with a lot of hanging skin. You may want to ask you surgeons for before and after photos of tummy tucks and panniculedctomies to compare the results. The price of a tummy tuck can frequently be made more affordable if the panniculectomy portion can be approved by your insurance. Documentation with your personnel physician will certainly improve your chances. Also, if you have any hernias or painful scars as a result of you bariatric surgery, repair at the time of your tummy tuck may reduce the cost. We frequently write letters of medical necessity to insurance carries in similar cases. It is certainly worth a try. The fee of $20,000 for a tummy tuck sounds rather high. In the Houston area, the costs are in the $10,000 to $12,000 range. You may seek another opinion. Best of luck.