While every patient is unique, generally those who have a significant apron belly of hanging skin that covers the groin or lower, a panniculectomy is best. Those who have an apron belly, excess skin in the middle abdomen, and weakened or separated stomach muscles are more suited for a plus size tummy tuck.
Liposuction costs between $4,000 and $8,000 with an average cost of $6,000, whereas a tummy tuck ranges between $6,000 and $10,000 with an average cost of $8,000.
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.
Treatment options for stomach overhang include lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, as well as surgical options, such as tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty). It's important to note that tummy tuck surgery can only remove excess skin and fat, it does not address weight loss or muscle weakness.
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is the most effective solution for an apron belly. During a tummy tuck, your Karidis Clinic surgeon will remove the excess skin and fat hanging from the abdomen. They will also access the abdominal muscles that often become stretched and lax after pregnancy and weight gain.
A panniculectomy might be covered by health insurance if it's deemed medically necessary. A tummy tuck, however, is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and is typically not covered by insurance.
While some individuals may manage apron belly through diet and exercise, others may consider surgical options to achieve smoother, tighter abdominal skin. One of the most effective surgical treatments for apron belly is a tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty).
Recovery after a panniculectomy begins in the hospital, immediately following surgery. Depending on the amount of tissue removed and personal circumstances, patients may spend one night in the hospital following surgery.
Exercise seems to work off belly fat in particular because it reduces circulating levels of insulin —which would otherwise signal the body to hang on to fat—and causes the liver to use up fatty acids, especially those nearby visceral fat deposits, he says.
A tummy tuck is considered a cosmetic procedure, which is not covered by insurance. Our financial counselors will work with you to determine your financial options.
A panniculectomy is medically necessary for people who meet a few criteria. You must have a panniculus that overhangs the pubis and present evidence of having chronic rashes, ulcers, cellulitis, or infections for at least three months that do not respond to traditional treatment options.
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 do I choose a plastic surgeon for a 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).
What is the Best Non Surgical Way to Remove Belly Fat? Non surgical fat removal methods include injections, ultrasound therapy, red light therapy, laser fat reduction, and cryolipolysis. However, injections, or Kybella, are typically only used for the chin area. Ultrasound therapy is often used for stubborn belly fat.
Fortunately, there are treatments available to help reduce the appearance of stomach and belly overhang. These include strength training exercises, lifestyle changes, and compression garments.
Panniculectomy is a surgery done to remove stretched out, excess fat and overhanging skin from your abdomen. This can occur after a person undergoes massive weight loss. The skin may hang down and cover your thighs and genitals. Surgery to remove this skin helps improve your health and appearance.
While both conditions involve the accumulation of excess body fat, a FUPA is specifically located in the pubic area, whereas an apron belly affects a broader section of the lower abdomen. Apron belly can be caused by an excess of skin following significant weight loss, rather than fat.
If surgery is warranted because excess skin or tissue is causing persistent health issues (such as skin conditions, functional deficit, or interference with every day activities), a panniculectomy may be covered by your insurance plan.
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.
While exercise and diet won't completely eliminate an apron belly on their own, they can significantly help in reducing fat around the stomach area. Regular workouts focusing on core strength and a balanced diet can lead to a flatter tummy over time.
To increase your chances of getting a tummy tuck covered by insurance, you'll need to meet specific requirements: Medical Necessity – your surgeon must document the medical necessity of the procedure, outlining how the excess skin or abdominal wall laxity negatively impacts your physical health and quality of life.
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.