Panniculectomy FAQs
Panniculectomy Questions & Answers
Sometimes people who’ve lost a significant amount of weight will have excess skin or tissue around the area of their abdomen. This can sometimes cause unwanted odors, rashes, irritation or infection to develop. Learn the answers to frequently asked questions about panniculectomy procedures below.
Before your panniculectomy procedure, you may be asked to complete lab testing or stop taking certain medications before your operation. Talk with your Mercy doctor before surgery to make sure you understand your procedure risks.
While panniculectomies can be performed on an outpatient basis, healing itself can take up to several weeks to complete. It’s important to follow your Mercy surgeon’s instructions following your surgery in order for your body to heal completely.
A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. Unlike a tummy tuck, the abdominal muscles aren’t tightened during this procedure, which means it isn’t purely cosmetic.
Good candidates for a panniculectomy are usually people who’ve developed rashes or infections beneath the hanging folds of skin around their abdomen. They’re otherwise physically healthy and able to undergo surgery without complications.
A panniculectomy can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the scope of your particular surgical procedure and body type.
