A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from your lower abdomen.
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect, before and after.
What to Expect Before Panniculectomy
Candidacy and Consultation
Panniculectomy is generally recommended for people who have a large amount of excess skin and fat hanging from the lower abdomen.
If you’re considering panniculectomy, it’s important to talk with a surgeon about your goals, your expectations, and the potential risks of the surgery.
Pre-operative Considerations
Be sure to tell your surgeon about any abdominal surgeries you’ve had in the past. You may need to stop taking certain medications or change other habits in the weeks leading up to your surgery.
What to expect after surgery
It’s normal to have swelling and bruising right after the surgery. The initial results of the surgery may be hidden by the swelling for a week or two. Be sure to take pain medication as prescribed.
Over time, the swelling will go down and the results of the surgery will be more apparent. Scars are inevitable, but your surgeon will likely try to incorporate any existing cesarean scars into the new scar. Scars will continue to fade over a period of months.
It’s important to take good care of the incision site. Be careful to avoid putting too much force on it, and avoid friction or excessive movement. Follow-up appointments with your surgeon are key for monitoring healing and making sure there are no complications.
Things to keep in mind
- As with any surgery, complications are possible and need to be monitored.
- You might need more than one procedure to get the results you’re hoping for.
- Following your doctor’s instructions is essential for healing well.
To Conclude
A panniculectomy can improve the shape of your abdomen. But it’s important to have realistic expectations and diligently follow all aftercare instructions.
Talk with a board-certified surgeon to find out if this procedure is right for you and what kind of results you can expect.