Panniculectomy is the surgical removal of skin and fat from the lower abdomen.
Why would I need a panniculectomy?
When a person has significant excess of lower abdominal tissue, they can experience poor hygiene, lower back pain, skin breakdown, difficulty with ambulation and infections.
When is it right for me to get a panniculectomy?
Prior to considering a panniculectomy, patients should have a healthy balanced diet and optimize their lifestyle. It’s also recommended that the patient looses as much weight as they can on their own or through a weight-loss surgery and maintain it for at least 3-6 months.
How should I prepare for my surgery? Are there any complications?
The best way to prepare for panniculectomy includes maintaining an active lifestyle, improving your overall health and nutrition, stopping any products containing nicotine and maintaining a healthy weight. Complications are possible after panniculectomy and can include bleeding, infection, delayed healing and fluid collections. A well-trained and qualified surgeon should be able to explain all the possible adverse outcomes and minimize complications during as well as after surgery.
Before undergoing any procedure, contact UF Health plastic surgeons to discuss your situation.
What should I expect in my recovery from a panniculectomy?
Following your panniculectomy, our surgeons will apply dressing and bandages to the incision areas and wrap you in a compression garment to reduce swelling and provide support to the abdomen as it heals.
A small drain tube may be temporarily added under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid that may collect. Recovery from panniculectomy can vary depending on the specific patient and surgical technique used. In general, expect that your recovery will take anywhere from 4 -6 weeks but at times can be longer if complications do occur.
Most importantly, be sure you follow your post-op instructions. Complications arise much of the time when patients do not follow these instructions. As with anything there are risks, but you can greatly reduce the chance of something going wrong by following your surgeon’s instructions.
If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains or unusual heartbeats after you return home, seek medical attention immediately
Call 352.265.8402 or contact us today to schedule a consultation.