Question:
Having a Panniculectomy...do I need some help at home?

I have finally been approved for my panniculectomy and want to know what to expect as far as recovery. For anyone who has had a panni or tt...did you need someone at home to help out? My doc says its one night in the hospital and then 2 week recovery...is this the norm? Did anyone not have someone to help at home and wish they had? And, after being split through the middle, how difficult is is to get up from a sitting or laying position? I have tons of questions...thanks for your answers!    — Pamela P. (posted on September 9, 2002)

September 9, 2002
Pamela, everyone's surgical experience will vary, but I have to say that my panniculectomy/brachioplasty was my easiest and most "comfortable" surgical experience ever....and I am a surgical "veteran", having had two C-sections, an abdominal hysterectomy, a traditional gall bladder surgery, a lap RNY, and assorted minor surgeries. I was offered the option of having the panniculectomy and brachioplasty as an outpatient, or having an overnight stay in the hospital. I was concerned about the large "anchor incision" that was planned, and about the drains that I was told I would have post-op, so I chose to stay overnight. I honestly believe that I could easily have had this surgery as an outpatient. I was walking in the room that afternoon, and in the hall of the hospital the next morning....not even bent-over :-) I had four drains...two on each side of the lower abdomen (where the thighs join the hips)....and they were completely painless....just an aggravation to keep pinned up and out of the way when walking or going to the bathroom. I had no external sutures or staples...no binders...just a light dressing over the abdominal incision for a few days. One of the drains was removed at two weeks, the next two drains were removed at three weeks, and the last drain stayed in place for seven weeks (a little longer than most, but not unheard of, according to my surgeon). Every plastic surgeon has their own approach. My surgeon is one who leaves drains in place until there is little or no drainage at all. I was also nervous about whether there would be pain involved with removing the drains, but I felt nothing at all when they were removed. I didn't need any assistance at home, and I was back to work full-time in less than two weeks. I couldn't be happier with the results of this surgery. I wish you the same great experience. Please feel free to email me privately if you have more questions. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

September 9, 2002
I had a full abdominoplasty on 8/7/02 and thought this surgery was MUCH easier then the lap rny. I think the reason is that there not cutting through the muscles like they did with the rny. I could have went back to work at 2 weeks but opted to stay off for 3. I had the surgery done as an outpatient (it was still an overnight stay) and didn't have any problems getting out of bed or anything after about day 3. On a pain scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate it a 3.
   — Patty H.