Question:
What is a pannuculectomy?

I saw on Cindy Lou's posting that she's going in for a pannuculectomy. I've never heard of that and don't know what it is. Is it another term for a tummy tuck? She said she was going to wake up without a tummy and 40 pounds lighter. Got to say, that sounds good to me. I'd be grateful for any information you can share on this. Thanks, Nancy G.    — Nancy G. W. (posted on March 13, 2000)

March 13, 2000
The technical name for the "apron" of skin that hangs down from the stomach is the "panniculus" (which literally means "a sheet or layer of tissue"). If there is a lot of fatty tissue there (like before WLS), it's referred to as a "panniculus adiposus". Removing this "apron" of skin is called a panniculectomy. Some doctors perform it at the same time as WLS (I think Fobi did this for a while), but it increases the risks associated with WLS. Most surgeons prefer to wait until the weight loss has stabilized before removing the panniculus, and if you have a hernia (which about 50% of WLS patients develop post-op), you can usually get it done for free by the surgeon doing the hernia repair. Hope this clarifies things!
   — Kim H.

March 13, 2000
Yes, it is a tummy tuck, I am scheduled to have one on 3-31. I don't know a lot about the surgery, only that the doctor said I could lose approximately 15-20 pounds of the skin hanging around my middle...wow...to have a flat stomach. I think that the weight loss does have to stabilize a bit. I have almost lost my goal of 100 pounds. If you find out anymore about it, let me know.
   — kelly P.

March 17, 2000
Yes this is a form of a tummy tuck. I had mine Dec 1 1999. Not for sure how much my doc took off. I really did not care if I had it or not at the time. I was just happy that the ugly car left from 2 staph infection surgies would be gone. But since having it I am SOOOOO tickled. I can not remember the last time I had a flat stomach. The mental part for me is losing the belly button. I guess that attachment to your mother idea. But I have goten over that.
   — rebecca G.