Tummy Tuck vs. Panniculectomy
Sometimes, diet and exercise can only go so far in giving you the body you want. Many people who lead healthy lifestyles are still left with sagging skin around their abdomen.
Two common procedures, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and panniculectomy, can both reduce excess skin on your stomach. While a panniculectomy focuses on removing excess skin, a tummy tuck more dramatically improves your appearance by tightening the skin and abdominal muscles.
At The Center for Cosmetic Medicine in Decatur, IL, Dr. Stuart Baker performs both of these procedures. Here, he explores tummy tuck vs. panniculectomy so you can know which treatment is right for you.
Panniculectomy
Whereas a tummy tuck addresses larger areas of the abdomen, a panniculectomy is more narrowly focused. The panniculus is a dense fatty area within the lower abdominal region that is sometimes euphemistically referred to as the fanny pack or apron.
Many men and women cite the panniculus as having stubborn fat or skin that diet and exercise alone cannot remove.
During a panniculectomy, a doctor removes excess skin from the lower abdominal area before pulling the remaining skin and tissue together with stitches. In most cases, a panniculectomy is an outpatient procedure with the operation itself lasting an average of two to five hours.
Tummy Tuck
If a tummy tuck is the best option to help you achieve a firm and youthful-looking abdomen, Dr. Baker will customize a treatment plan just for you.
During the procedure, excess skin is removed. The underlying muscle will also be tightened to achieve a smaller waistline.
Depending on the extent of the procedure and length of surgery, patients are released home the day of surgery. Dr. Baker will provide you with post-operative guidelines to follow.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
As with any elective surgery, patients must be in good health before considering a tummy tuck. Being at a stable weight is also important.
A tummy tuck may be appropriate if you have:
- Excess fatty tissue in your abdomen
- Sagging skin near your stomach
- Weakened abdominal muscles
- Frustrations with the appearance of your stomach
Am I a Good Candidate for a Panniculectomy?
Being in good health and having a stable weight are similarly important before considering panniculectomy. Beyond that, potential candidates typically have:
- Realistic expectations for the procedure
- Frustrations over the appearance of your lower abdomen
- Recurring rashes due to hanging folds of skin
Find Out Which Procedure Is Right for You.
Both tummy tucks and panniculectomy procedures work to tone and reshape your abdomen. While a panniculectomy focuses on removing a specific area of the lower abdomen, a tummy tuck offers a more customized and comprehensive approach to give you a smoother and firmer abdominal profile.
To learn more about the benefits of a tummy tuck vs. panniculectomy, contact our office online or call us at (217) 877-9000 or (217) 877-9439.