Question:
Have you had a panniculectomy?

I am hopeing to talk with some who have had a panniculectomy while they were still very heavy. How did you find your surgeon? Would a surgeon perform a panniculectomy on a very large person about 350 pds, who has a very large hanging pannus to remove the bulk of it and then later after the most wieght loss go back and tighten up again. I am searching for a surgeon. I need the help. Thanks!    — Sarah B. (posted on June 15, 2005)

June 15, 2005
I was over 300 when i had my panniculectomy. The surgeon that did my RNY removed my panni a year later. What a difference it is to get rid of it. It picked up my weight loss for awhile and it is so much easier to move around and excersise. a plastic surgeon should also be able to do that for you. any questions e-mail me
   — Tammy N.

June 17, 2005
Sarah, It is not uncommon for the former SMO to have a panni part way through their weight loss. Many times the huge panni is causing all kinds of problems, such as yours. Most WL surgeons and many PS would remove the panni at your stage as long as you fully understand it won't likely give you the desired results long term if you continue to lose weight. But most in your case are more than willing to live with that just to be mobile and rid of pain, rashes etc. I even know of a younger woman who had a 50 lb panni removed before even having WLS. It was impeding her movement to the point of not moving. While she had tons to still lose, getting rid of the panni got rid of or reduced other medical issues significantly. <p>It will be important for the surgeon to build your need for it now around medical conditions. In your profile you talk about numbness in your thighs etc. This is the kind of info that will give you the best chance at an approval. I'd find out who in your area does the most PS on WLS patients and make an appointment with that doc. He or she is most likely to understand this situation best and help you out. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

June 17, 2005
Hi. If you have a lot of symptoms (back problems, infections under the panniculus, skin breakdown) it may need to come off while you are heavy. Doing this makes future surgery on the abdomen a little harder,a nd is of course a second operation, second exposure to anesthesia, and second amount of downtime. Panniculectomies in very heavy patients have a very high infection and prolonged drainage rate too. So unless you have major problems with it, many surgeons will simply say "wait" until after weight loss surgery and stable weight.
   — DrL

June 18, 2005
I HAD A PANNICULECTOMY IN 2000. I WAS 372 LBS. I HAD A LARGE OVAIAN CYST REMOVED SO MY GYN SURGEON THOUGHT IT WOULD 'HELP' HIS OPERATION. ABOUT A YEAR LATER, I DON'T REALLY REMEMBER HOW LONG, I STARTED TO GET REDNESS IN MY ABDOMAN. FLASH FORWARD TO NOW~ I HAVE SOMETHING CALLED CELLULITIS AS A RESULT OF THAT PANNICULECTOMY. IT WAS AN ACTIVE INFECTION WHICH HAD TO BE TREATED MANY TIMES WITH ANTIBIOTICS. THE INFECTION IS NO LONGER ACTIVE BUT I HAVE A WATERMELON SIZED AREA THAT IS VERY HARD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY ABDOMAN AND IT LOOKS DISTORTED BECAUSE IT'S PUSHED MY BELLY BUTTON TO THE FAR RIGHT. THE BELLY BUTTON WAS LEFT IN PLACE BUT IT'S MUCH LOWER THAN THE USUAL PLACE. MY ADVICE TO YOU IS TO WAIT IF POSSIBLE AND HAVE IT DONE AFTER YOU LOSE MOST OF YOUR WEIGHT. BE SURE TO GET A SURGEON THAT IS VERY EXPERIENCED IN FORMER BARIATRIC PATIENTS. GET BACK TO ME IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR ME AND GOOD LUCK!
   — LYNNM