I am wanting to get a full tummy tuck next year, but I'm hearing more about the Panni procedure,and that insurance may pay for it. What is the difference? Does the Panni flatten your stomach or just remove excess skin? I feel like I'm wearing a fat skin suit Because my skin is loose and hangs down, especially my stomach. I want a mommy makeover but if I have to self pay I'm going to do a TT first & breast implants later on. Any suggestions or advice?

I hear you about feeling like you are wearing a fat suit. I felt like a fraud, of sorts. People said I looked great, but when it was just me and the mirror, I still saw 275 lb me.

a panniculectomy is just removal of the 'apron' that hangs down. Insurance will sometimes cover it if you can prove medical necessity. Check what criteria they look for.

a tummy tuck is tightening the muscles and skin above the umbilicus. Insurance may cover this, again if medically necessary under their criteria.

I was lucky to have both covered.

I checked the criteria on my insurance website.

Took that to my pain management Dr. who wrote a letter speaking to all the points they were looking for.

I wrote a letter describing my co-morbidities pre-sleeve and how the excess skin impedes me. Also how exercise is crucial to keeping weight off.

took all that to the plastic surgeon, who submitted to insurance along with pics.

and all the stars and planets aligned, it landed on the right persons desk, and I was approved a week later, lol

Thank you!! I am definitely going to check with my insurance company! Sometimes my "apron" gets in the way of exercise. I feel like a fraud too and I'm so ashamed of my big flabby skin on my stomach. It's the only thing left as a reminder of when I weighed 270 pounds. I'm scared of surgery but I really want to get it done next year. I also get ingrown hairs on my lower stomach that are pretty painful and leave nasty scars and have also caused my skin to darken. How long did it take you to recover? Did you go down a few dress sizes? Were you able to return to work after a few weeks? I've had a few csections so I just wondered if it was comparable to that. Thank you!

It was about 3 months, till I was 100%. That being said, the recovery was FAR better than I expected and the drains not as gross. Had to sleep sitting up for a few weeks and walk hunched, like Quasimodo. It was more uncomfortable and only mildly painful. I gained about 20 lbs from swelling and had to go up a size or two for a few months. After that, I was in the same size as before tt/panni. I was back at work in two weeks, but my job is only a few hours a week and no lifting.