Men and women who undergo drastic weight loss are often left with excess folds of skin that can prevent them from seeing their slimmer figure underneath. When it comes to addressing baggy skin around the abdomen, patients may benefit from either a tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty), a panniculectomy or both. In order to determine the best body contouring procedure for you, you’ll need to understand the difference between these two options.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a procedure aimed at improving the contours of the midsection. During a typical abdominoplasty, the surgeon pulls the two halves of the abdominal muscles together and removes a limited amount of excess fatty tissue. Finally, the stomach skin is tightened over your new body shape and any extra skin is removed.
Panniculectomy
A panniculectomy, on the other hand, is performed for the purpose of improving health by removing overhanging skin folds from below the belly button that extend down to the pubic region. Often, overhanging skin folds in this region can contribute to rashes and hygiene issues, both of which can be improved with a panniculectomy. A panniculectomy does not address skin folds above the belly button.
The Best Procedure for You
The best body contouring procedure for you depends on your concerns. If you are bothered by excess skin that hangs below your belly button, you may be a good candidate for a panniculectomy. However, if you also have skin folds above the belly button, you might benefit most from a combination of a panniculectomy and a tummy tuck. Your best bet is to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to see which procedure will be best to help you meet your appearance goals.
Dr. David Kaufman earned a bachelor of science degree from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating with distinction, the highest academic honor. As an active duty naval special warfare officer, he served our nation for four years, including duty in Operation Desert Storm. He then attended Harvard Medical School, receiving his medical doctor degree in 1996. From there, he entered and completed postdoctoral surgical training in a combined general and plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center.
A board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Kaufman’s diverse surgical experience and skill enables him to choose procedures and techniques to best suit each patient. Consider him and his practice, Kaufman Plastic Surgery, if you are looking for a plastic surgeon in the Sacramento area.
