Tummy Tuck vs. Panni and technique - ThinnerTimes

LisaBoston · 09-07-2006, 02:28 PM

Wondering about having a panni done. My doctor does the incision from the bottom of the sternum (ribcage) to the pubis and then across to both hips. I had open procedure, so I already have the upper part of the scar to the belly button.

I am not sure yet if I will have it done, but I am a little concerned about the scar, the healing and such.

Will I be disappointed if I don't have it done or will I be happier having the skin removed and a huge scar.

I know many have had a TT done and very little scars....thats not the way they do it here.

A plastic surgeon might do it different here for a $$, a panni is covered under my insurance.

I know of a few who had it done with my surgeon and happy that he does this incision as it gets more skin and tightens up the whole area.

Thoughts?

VanessaSFL · 09-07-2006, 03:47 PM

Will they do a panni with out the large icsion or is that just your Dr's method?
I said if I had the money*don't* that I would look into a panni but I had lap and have no signs of the surgery...hmmmmmm.I know someone will know and have the answer.

You are doing great BTW!

V

Blueyz · 09-07-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaBoston

Wondering about having a panni done. My doctor does the incision from the bottom of the sternum (ribcage) to the pubis and then across to both hips. I had open procedure, so I already have the upper part of the scar to the belly button.

I am not sure yet if I will have it done, but I am a little concerned about the scar, the healing and such.

Will I be disappointed if I don't have it done or will I be happier having the skin removed and a huge scar.

I know many have had a TT done and very little scars....thats not the way they do it here.

A plastic surgeon might do it different here for a $$, a panni is covered under my insurance.

I know of a few who had it done with my surgeon and happy that he does this incision as it gets more skin and tightens up the whole area.

Thoughts?

Lisa,

Here is my experience. I had the TT from hip to hip with my first ventral hernia repair. After it was done, I was happy, but still had hanging skin. With the next hernia repair, my PS surgeon did a vertical incision from sternum down to the hairline and boy did that inward tuck make a world of difference. In the last year with all of my repairs, he has nipped and tucked even more loose skin because I didn't wait long enough to stabilize. My incisions are very thin and white and beautiful with the exception of the newest hip to hip incision that he just did. It is purple, but I know it will go away with time. My surgeon will not use staples and does a beautiful closure. Of course, Dr Callery did a closure with my open RNY that was of plastic surgery quality...I was saddened when I had it removed with the additional mesh hernia repairs.

Overall, I think you will be pleased with a pull from both directions...I know I am much happier now since I have been pulled both ways...now if only I could get my legs taken care of...money and time....will tell.

Hope this helps....just my results..everyone differs of course.

Leanne · 02-20-2007, 10:12 AM

Can you ask to see pics from previous surgeries? I did that with the PS that I was consulting with and he emailed me a bunch of pics. It was a nice way to get an idea of what the finished scars would look like, the kind of work he does, etc.

LisaBoston · 02-20-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leanne

Can you ask to see pics from previous surgeries? I did that with the PS that I was consulting with and he emailed me a bunch of pics. It was a nice way to get an idea of what the finished scars would look like, the kind of work he does, etc.

Leanne, I have pics from disappearing diva (she shows up here every so often) and initially they scared the crap out of me. They were a few days post op and then she sent some recently of a month post op and it made me feel so much better. He's the same doctor that did our RNY, not a plastic surgeon, so the scar is very large and he uses staples too, so I find the incision is quite red. My skin shows my scar a lot now, whereas others are white...to each his own.

I also found out via disappearing diva that he tightened her muscles when he did the panni. I was under the impression that they just did the skin, so another positive thing.

I have bitten the bullet and applied for a phone consult with him..its now just waiting for the call.

Leanne · 02-20-2007, 10:39 AM

Cool!! Good luck on which ever route you choose. I am hoping to get mine done this summer. I had to put it off in October as we bought a house instead!! Had to get my priorities straight!! From what I've heard, most plastic surgeons in Vancouver won't do the Panni due to the little bit of cash that medical pays.

fitbefore40 · 02-23-2007, 01:39 PM

Lisa the anchor incision is the one that my PS suggested that I would be happy with. I know it looks bad, but for me, I need the skin around the middle tightened. I'm actually getting my flanks done, so he is going around me a little to get that - so instead of hip bone to hip bone - he's cutting 4 inches past the hip bone on both sides.

I have one friend that has had the same surgery - and you can't even notice her scar now . .. it kinda looks like she just has awesome abs.

coptergirl · 02-23-2007, 01:46 PM

Lisa -

That is exactly what I will be having done on the 9th. They will reopen my open scar, and keep going on past the belly button down to the pubic line, and then hip to hip, and he will be able to save my belly button (sonetimes with the open incision, they cut into the bb too much and ruin the integrity of the blood vessels in and around it, so many lose their bb's. I would rather not have to tuck the sharpeii puppy into my jeans everyday and go for the surgery, scars and all...bb or no bb. As for the healing, I obviously don't know yet, but will keep you posted. Oh, and I am doing the full TT rather than a panni (my understanding is the same as yours with the skin removal vs. tightening).

MiladyB · 02-23-2007, 03:05 PM

Lisa, I'll be watching how things go for you with bated breath. I'm getting more and more disatisfied with all of the excess skin I have. It's also starting to cause some medical problems like back aches. I'm hoping to get enough medical reasons to get my insurance to cover my panni removal. My pcp is keeping a running record and was ready to send me on to a plastic surgeon, already! I had a bit of a chat with his nurse and decided to hold off on the plastic consult until I lose about 20 more pounds. I don't want to do this too early. I'm also hoping my insurance will cover a breast lift since I'm starting to get some chafing under my breasts along with an upper backache. I'm just testing the "ice" like you are. So, I'm interested in seeing where things go for you from here.

LisaBoston · 02-23-2007, 04:05 PM

I am on the list to do a phone consult for the panni and can have as early as this summer. Thats enough time for me to consider my options. I too have the flabby stuff on the upper tummy, thus the anchor incision is the best choice for me. I was scared of the scar, but at this point I think its well worth having compared to this saggy skin!