What is a Panni?

I'm just starting the insurance and PS process and saw some of you referred to a Panni...

A panni is often short for panniculus which is the apron of skin/fat at the lower belly. Some people also use it to refer to a panniculectomy, which is the procedure to remove said skin/fat.

Hope this helps.

Denise

Thanks Denise.

Panniculectomy --- the surgical procedure to remove the apron of skin under your belly button.

Most of the time, the panni will not remove any skin above the belly button, it will not tighten any muscles and it will not lift the mons.

A full tummy tuck will do these things (tighten muscles, lift the mons, excise the existing belly button, smooth skin above it and then create a new belly button).

Sometimes, insurance will pay for panniculectomy -- but not a full tummy tuck -- and some surgeons will allow you to pay the difference and get the full TT done.

Get several consults -- find a surgeon who has experience with formerly MO patients.  My bariatric surgeon gave me a few referrals - and my consults were done for free.

Hi Kath,
So it sounds as though you're left with a kind-off miss proportioned tummy. Is the mons the area over the pubic bone, or what?

Well, it certainly depends on the skill of the surgeon and your condition going into the surgery ---- but basically, the panniculectomy is just to remove excess skin -- with little finesse involved.

If you have significant rashes, or severe back pain due to a hanging pannus, and it is documented, you may get insurance to pay to have it removed -- but it is not really a 'cosmetic' procedure in that case --- it is a 'whack it off your body' job.
 

I don't think that they worry much about symmetry in those procedures.

Yes, the mons is the area over the pubic bone -- and lifting that area can have a positive impact on the upper thighs as well.

All 3 of the consults I got suggested a full tummy tuck prior to doing anything about the thighs, in case the tt alone was enough to correct the thighs to an acceptable level.