My insurance will cover a Infraumbilical panniculectomy and my surgeon also wants me to get...

I went in for a consult with plastic surgeon.  She suggested the lower panni and TT.  My ins will cover the panni.  I am still back and forth weather to do this or not?  I am scared to go through another surgery again.  I had a back fusion last Nov and am 2 years our from my RNY.    I keep telling myself that I look good enough.  Then I look at tight fitting clothes and can see my tummy roll in them.  I think the thing that is holding me back the most is the drainage bags.  I am so squeamish.  Any thoughts?  I need the push I guess that it is not so bad.  My neighbor had a TT and told me it was the worst thing in the world, but she has never had any other surgery before.  I have had my gallbladder removed, c-section, RNY, Back fusion so I have been through some things.  Also is it worth it to get the Panni without the tt?  Thanks all for reading my rambleing.

Hello there.

Well last week Wednesday I had the anchor cut tummy tuck. I have 2 drains. One coming out of each hip. I was in the hospital for 3 days - was suppose to be 2 but on Thursday I started bleeding internally from a broken vessel in my stomach and had to go back under. OTHERWISE - this surgery is a breeze in comparison to my RNY. I have virtually no pain. I can't stand up straight to walk so that takes a toll on my back - but other than avoiding laughing, coughing and sneezing - not bad at all. I only took pain meds in the hospital and then I just take them at night to sleep.
I would do this surgery over and over again. I'm a little swollenn and I STILL love my new tummy.

Good luck to you!!!
Jamie

I just had my arms, BL/.BA, a lower body lift with an anchor cut, and my thighs done. I am 3 weeks out - and the recovery has been a breeze. Other than the first 2 days, I didnt even need any narcotic pain meds (just took tramadol for about 12 days). I am super squeamish, but I managed having 7 drains and didnt die. It's weird, but after a day or two with them, you get used to it. 

I'd recommend doing the full TT if you can - i think it's definitely worth it to get the muscle repair done. 

Pretty sure you'll need drains whether or not you upgrade to a full abdominoplasty. If it were me, I'd do the muscle tightening. It won't be much worse as far as pain goes and I'd want to best results possible.

For me, I wouldn't undergo this surgery without the muscle tightening.  If you are going under, might as well get the full benefit.  I'm 3 1/2 weeks out from LBL and BL and have to say that while the drains weren't my favorite, it wasn't anything too horrible.  I am so glad I did this!

I had the panni 3 weeks ago, and the drainage bags were the least of the problem. I have also had a couple of surgeries in my past (2 c-sections,gallbladder,appendix,hysterectomy and sleeve) but this was probably the worst for me. I won't say that I regret it, but this on has been hard on me. I have Kaiser in so cal and they covered the panni, but would not do the tt. I would have done both if I could have. Good luck on your choice.

I had drains with my panniculectomy but did to have any with my tummy tuck (which was done separately).  I thought I would be satisfied with just the panni removal, and didn't want to spend $7K for the tummy tuck, but once I had a lower stomach that was very flat, it made the excess skin above my waist look terrible in comparison.  I also looked weird in clothes with skin "muffin top" but a flat pelvic area.

There IS a third option, but most surgeons don't offer it unless you ask about it.  You can have just skin removal from above your navel without getting the muscle tightened in a full tummy tuck.  It is much less expensive than a full tummy tuck.  If I had known that was an option, I would have done that at the time of my panniculectomy in a heartbeat.  Unfortunately, I didn't know.

Lora