Question:
I am having a panniectomy SP in 2 weeks. Can someone answer

My question is that he is just taking my apron off just below the belly button and cutting me from hip to hip. I have a lot of loose skin above the belly button, (My upper stomach) When he pulls me together can I expect that this will smooth out and be tighter than it is now? Also has anyone else had this and were you pleased afterwards, and did you notice a big difference in your pants sizes. Also how uncomfortable is this after the surgery. I am getting nervous and would love to hear from others that have had this done. thanks in advance.    — Rebecca F. (posted on January 29, 2003)

January 30, 2003
I had my apron removed in October to reduce my back pain. They removed 20+ pounds which stopped all back pain. But to answer you question, the upper stomach will be as loose as it is before surgery. In my opinion it appears worse since the area below the belly button is so flat. If I knew how it would look prior to surgery, I would had paid to have the upper stomach and the pubic area reduced at the same time.
   — Frances B.

January 30, 2003
My first response would be that if you have a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in tummy tucks, then perhaps you should feel confident with his experience and expertise. My second response would be that there are generally two basic approaches to tummy tucks (not including the belt lipectomy procedure)...the traditional "bikini line" incision, or the "anchor" incision, which is a long vertical incision from breastbone to pubic area, then the "smiley-face" incision from hipbone to hipbone. The anchor incision is generally used for those patients who have always carried a lot of their extra weight above the belly-button. I was the classic "apple-shaped" person, and my plastic surgeon immediately recommended the anchor incision to give me the best results. At first, I was very reluctant....I had had a lap RNY and those scars were no longer even visible...the anchor incision was going to leave me with a very large and very noticeable (I thought) incision....and this large incision was certain to be extremely painful (I thought). As I went home and critically looked at myself in the mirror....front, sides, and back....I could see the wisdom of his advice and had the anchor incision as recommended. In hindsight, I am SO grateful that I did, for several reasons: the anchor incisions allowed him to "pull" a large amount of excess skin in from the sides toward the middle, which left me with a really sleek back and sides (no more above and below bra-line rolls), and a beautifully tight, flat tummy from top to bottom....he used no external sutures or staples, and the horrendous scar that I expected is now only a fine pink line slightly over one year post-op (I have had stretch marks worse than this scar)....and surprisingly, this was the most "comfortable" surgery that I have ever had, including my lap RNY. He performed a panniculectomy which is removal of excess skin and fat with NO work done to the underlying muscles. Abdominoplasty patients who need muscle repair or tightening can usually expect more post-op discomfort. I was back to work full-time...four drains in place, but very comfortable and functional...in slightly over one week. Ask your surgeon whether he has had experience with the anchor incision and whether he feels that it could be beneficial in your particular case. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

February 1, 2003
I totally agree with what the first poster said. I think you'll be unhappy if you don't have the whole area treated as a whole. Personally I had to wait to have my crotch lifted after my original tummy tuck. The flatness of my tummy made it stick out like a sore thumb and made me very self conscious. Mine was done like the beltectomy and I had really good results. He tightened all the abdominal muscles through the smiley face hip to hip incision, removed fat in my back and used the entire incision line to give a smooth tightened affect to the skin. If you have a lot of excess skin up above I don't think just a smiley incision is going to do you justice. I hope you'll consider looking around more before deciding on a surgeon. Not everyone is qualified to deal with unusual body types, those who are very heavy, with huge aprons or those with a lot of excess skin from WLS.
   — Shelly S.