Question:
Huge hernia repaired on 1/26 along with panniculectomy

and I really look terrible! My tummy is not flat at all but I don't have the apron anymore. How long before you see the real results of a PANNICULECTOMY? I am going on 4 weeks post op and sure hope it gets better. One more question: My belly button is not looking like it is going to end up looking like a belly button at all. Should I be worried? I see my PS this Friday. I am not very happy about this! But I don't have a big hernia anymore so I guess it is worth it. Any encouragement out there? Please    — Mylou52 (posted on February 23, 2004)

February 23, 2004
Hi Marilyn, I can so relate to how you are feeling, I had my panniculectomy (anchor cut) with hernia repair Feb.2nd. I have a very flat tummy from my new belly button down but above it I'm not happy at all. I bought some 3/4 length longline bras. They seem to hide the extra skin and fat. I seen my plastic surgeon last Thursday and he said because the hernia was so big and there was so much repair work he was afraid that I wouldn't heal properly if he did all the upper stomach work too. He did say he could take care of it in 6 months in his office. I'm hoping that I am just swelled and I won't have to have any more done. You're right...it does feel great not having a hernia anymore. Good luck and congratulations on your sucess this far.
   — Brenda T.

February 23, 2004
I just had a "internal hernia repair"/EMERGENCY SURGERY this past week and my stomach is the same... and this had NOTHING to do with plastic surgery. Kind of flat down the bottom and still sticking out at the top...My surgeon said he really had to re-arrange my small intestines because they were all "out of place". This whole hernia repair is a mystery to me and I really did not feel like I had one... maybe mine was too far inside.
   — pennix122

February 23, 2004
As you know we had our surgery the same day and im still swollen, but it is going down each week, I can wear hip hugger pants now, but not regular pants( I now know what it looks like to be skinny and pregnant, everyone thinks I am lol). I still am wearing my binder and rubbing my belly. I am actually wondering myself if im going to be happy with the results, but I guess time will tell. My PS said it takes months before everything is normal, maybe even up to a year. He is still concerned about my swelling, so if by my next appointment it has not gone down more he is going to drain the fluid with a needle, he did'nt the last time b/c it showed some improvement and he is wanting a little more. I hope you feel better about it soon, take care and keep rubbing firmly! :o)
   — Sandy M.

February 23, 2004
It does take time to see the results. I have a new belly button which just looked like a slit for the first few months. It still kind of looks like a slit but much more appropriate then the big, fat ugly belly button I started out with. Give yourself some time to heal. You not only had a tt but you also had a hernia repair and I'm sure that has something to do with the way you look now also.
   — Patty H.

February 28, 2004
Hi Marilyn. As a board-certified general and plastic surgeon, I have fixed my share of hernias and done tummy tucks at the same time. Problem is, when we put the intestines back "in" we cannot tighten and sculpt the abdominal muscles as much. It's a compromise for sure but the hernia repair takes precedence ! To feel better, though, do some side-by-side pictures...I'm sure you still look better than your pre-op pics !
   — DrL

April 22, 2006
Hello. It's been quite some time since I have been back to this website. I had my RNY in 1999. I've had problems with an incisional hernia off and on and I am scheduled for my fourth repair, plus panniculectomy and umbilicoplasty, on May 19th, 2006. I was scrolling through the PS questions and yours popped out at me. May I ask how you are doing two years post-op (Hernia repair and Pannic)? How do you feel about the way you look. Are you satisfied with your belly button's appearance now? And how does your hernia area look at this point? I hope this message reaches you. Thank you for your time.
   — Talullah