How much does a panniculectomy cost?

Author: Marge Upton III  |  Last update: Sunday, September 14, 2025

The national average cost* of a panniculectomy is $7,000, with a range between $5,393 and $13,618. The overall cost of the procedure can be impacted by the surgeon's experience, amount of skin removed, anesthesia type and clinic location.

Will insurance cover a panniculectomy?

In some instances, health insurance may cover panniculectomy surgery. Be sure to consult with your insurance company in advance of any surgery. Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans for panniculectomy surgery in instances where health insurance does not cover it, so be sure to ask.

Is a panniculectomy cheaper than a tummy tuck?

Panniculectomy vs Tummy Tuck Cost

If a patient opts to have a tummy tuck, all expenses may be out of pocket due to the cosmetic–and therefore almost always elective–nature. Both versions of abdominoplasty are expensive. A panniculectomy is a more extensive surgery; therefore, it is more costly.

How do you get approved for a panniculectomy?

A panniculectomy is considered medically appropriate when there is documentation of a significant functional impairment, such as persistent cellulitis, abscess, or skin ulceration that has been refractory to medical therapy, not recurrent (i.e., does not clear up then recur), for at least six months, including a ...

What is the weight requirement for a panniculectomy?

Although there is no set weight that you have to be to get a panniculectomy, having a body mass index of 30 or lower will reduce your risks of developing a complication after surgery. It is important to note that losing as much weight as possible before the surgery is essential to avoid further sagging skin.

How much does a tummy tuck cost?

How many sizes do you lose with a panniculectomy?

You can generally expect to lose between two and three pants sizes following abdominoplasty. However, if you have a great deal of excess skin and you combine this procedure with liposuction, you may be able to lose four or more pants sizes.

How to get rid of hanging belly fat without surgery?

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

How much does it cost to remove the apron belly?

The national average cost* of a panniculectomy is $7,000, with a range between $5,393 and $13,618. The overall cost of the procedure can be impacted by the surgeon's experience, amount of skin removed, anesthesia type and clinic location.

What doctor approves panniculectomy?

A panniculectomy involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Does a panniculectomy lift the pubic area?

A panniculectomy is surgery to remove excess hanging skin and fat, called a pannus or apron, from the lower belly. It's often done after a big weight loss when the stretched skin may hang over your genitals or extend to your thighs or beyond. Some doctors call it a lower abdomen lift.

How painful is a panniculectomy?

The first several days after a panniculectomy are often the most painful. You may feel swollen, bruised and sore. Your incisions may bleed slightly. You may feel more comfortable wearing an elastic wrap around your abdomen, but check with your surgeon before doing so.

How do you prove you need a panniculectomy?

Panniculectomy may be performed for both medically necessary and cosmetic reasons. The medical need for this procedure must be established by documenting that the enrollee has significant symptoms that cannot be adequately managed with more conservative or less invasive measures.

Does panniculectomy include fupa?

Also known as body contouring surgery, a panniculectomy involves changing the shape and contour of the body by removing excess skin and fat that hangs from the abdomen. Many people may find fat below the bellybutton area, which they may refer to as a FUPA, to be the most difficult type of fat to lose.

Do you stay in hospital after panniculectomy?

You will need to stay at hospital for about two days after the surgery. You may need to stay longer if your surgery is more complex. After you recover from the anesthesia, you will be asked to get up to walk a few steps. You will have pain and swelling for days after surgery.

Is fupa the same as apron belly?

An apron belly, also known as pannus stomach [1], is distinct from FUPA (Fat Upper Pubic Area) in that it involves excess skin and fat hanging down over the lower abdomen, often appearing after significant weight loss or pregnancy.

How much does non-surgical fat removal from the stomach cost?

In general, CoolSculpting session costs can vary from $750 to $4,000 per session, depending on which applicators are used and to what extent. The total cost is also based on the area of the body being treated. The smaller the treatment area, the fewer applicators and treatment sessions required, and the lower the cost.

What burns a hanging belly fat?

The key is to lower your overall body fat with moderate-intensity physical activity and a healthy diet; when you reduce your total body fat, you'll also be reducing your belly fat. So if you want to do abdominal exercises, make them part of your fitness routine.

Can fat grow back after panniculectomy?

Will fat come back after liposuction and tummy tuck? The fat cells that are removed via liposuction during a tummy tuck will not return, but this doesn't necessarily mean the cosmetic results are permanent. Weight gain can generate new fat cells and cause the remaining fat cells to become enlarged.

What BMI is needed for panniculectomy?

Panniculectomy is indicated in patients who are still morbidly obese in terms of their body mass index (BMI) (>35 kg m2) even though they may have lost more than 50% of their initial body weight.

What is a 360 panniculectomy?

A traditional tummy tuck involves removing skin and excess fat from below the belly button and re-tightening abdominal muscles. The Tummy Tuck 360 does this and more. In addition to the standard abdominal tightening, this procedure also uses SAFElipo to remove excess fat from the entire trunk.

How do you get approved for panniculectomy?

In general, you may be a good panniculectomy candidate if:
  1. You are physically healthy and at a stable weight.
  2. You have realistic expectations.
  3. You are a nonsmoker.
  4. You are bothered by the appearance of your abdomen.
  5. You have recurring or persistent rashes or infections underneath the hanging fold of skin.

Why am I gaining weight after panniculectomy?

Fluid Retention

After your tummy tuck, your body may retain water, causing a bloated appearance. This can be both localised at the surgical site (i.e., the abdomen), in extremities, or around the body more generally. Overall, this may give the appearance of weight gain.

How many hours does a panniculectomy take?

About the Procedure

Most often, the surgeon will make two incisions. The first is a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A complete panniculectomy can take from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the extent of work required.

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