Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Best Time to Have a Panni



Recommended Posts

Hi all,

I'm 16 months post-op and down almost 100lb. While I'm still about 20lb from my original goal weight, I'm not sure I want to keep that goal. I'm down to 150lb, size XS-M / 4-8 (depending on clothing styles & cuts), and feel comfortable where I am. Also, my husband (and others) think if I lose any more weight, I'll start to look unhealthy. I've been at my current weight for about 6 months now and this extra skin is really starting to bother me. It's visibly "bulky" under my clothes and makes me a bit self-conscious. I'm really only interested in a tummy tuck/panni. Just wondering how long I need to/should wait. In order to have insurance pay for it, do I need to wait a certain amount of time? It's almost my understanding that insurance will likely pay for a panni, but not a Tummy Tuck - is that correct? How much additional weight is typically lost from skin removal surgery? Lastly, any recommendations for a top-notch surgeon in the Chicago area?

Thanks,
Linda

Edited by LAJ23

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

many surgeons recommend you wait a year after hitting your goal weight to be sure your weight is stable. A 10 to 20 lb gain after you hit your lowest weight is unfortunately VERY common - it usually occurs during year 3. And a gain of more than 10 or 15 lbs can affect your surgery results.

some insurance companies don't cover plastic surgery at all (mine did not). Some will cover it if you have some medical issue with it that doesn't respond to traditional treatment - like a chronic rash. So if you have those kinds of issues, see a doctor because you'll need the documentation to submit to the insurance company.

I had my surgery with Lawrence Zachary, who's on the faculty at the Univ of Chicago - but he does his self-pay surgeries at Weiss on the north side. He specializes in plastic surgery for massive weight loss patients and is nationally known, so he is pricey. Dave Shifrin (in the Loop) doesn't specialize in it, but he's done a TON of PS for massive weight loss patients and is also nationally known (and also pretty pricey). I had a consult with him as well. I also had a consult with Daniel Krochmal. Not well-known nationally although he had some pretty impressive fellowships (he's younger with not as many years under his belt) - I liked him as well but decided to go with Zachary due to his reputation and many years of experience.

there are lots of surgeons in Chicago - so set up 3-5 consults as you may get different ideas from different surgeons. I definitely wanted someone who either specialized in it or has done a boatload of them.

realself.com is a good resource for creating your list of people to consult with...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

btw - you may not need to go top notch if you're just planning on getting a panni. On those, they just remove the skin - there's usually not an effort to make everything look "normal", like there is when you have a full lower-body lift. Some (maybe most? Not sure) people are even left without a belly button after a panni - so there's that to consider, too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Im in Canada so this may be a little different from you:

Panni was covered by insurance, but I paid the difference to get a proper tummy tuck..which is basically the muscle tightening and some lipo)…i ended up paying maybe 25-35% of the cost of a proper Tummy Tuck out of pocket.

My surgeon (nor the other 3 I consulted with) has/had a “waiting period” at goal weight requirement. I had my PS 6 months after reaching goal…would have been earlier if my surgeon wasn’t so booked up…on the other hand it would have been 9 months if he didn’t open up a surgery day specially for me (thanks, doc!)

Thoroughly happy with my procedures (i had a TT, arm lift and breast lift), and at 3 years post wls and 2 years post PS, my bod is still holding up just fine….and i get to wear bikinis with confidence!

Oh, and regarding how much extra weight was lost —i know i am in the minority in this compared to other accounts i’ve read — i lost a measly 400g across the 3 procedures. But i was pretty small already, with very little body fat. He basically just removed skin.

Good Luck! ❤️

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Theweightisover2024🙌💪

      Question for anyone, how did you get your mind right before surgery? Like as far as eating better foods and just doing better in general? I'm having a really hard time with this. Any help is appreciated 🙏❤️
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        I had about 6 months between deciding to do surgery and getting scheduled. I came across the book The Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner, a bariatric surgeon in Arizona, and started to implement some of the changes he recommended (and lost 13 lbs in the process without ever feeling deprived). The book is very simple, and the focus is on whole, plant based foods, but within reason. It's not an all or nothing approach, or going vegan or something, but focuses on improvement and aiming for getting it right 80-90% of the time. His suggestions are divided into 12 sections that you can tackle over time, perhaps one per month for a year if a person is just trying to improve nutrition and build good habits. They range from things like cutting out artificial sweetener or eating more beans to eating a pound of vegetables per day. I found it really effective pre-surgery and it's an eating style I will be working to get back to as I am further out from surgery and have more capacity. Small changes you can sustain will do the most for building good habits for life.

      2. Theweightisover2024🙌💪

        That sounds awesome. I'll have to check that out thanks!

    • BeanitoDiego

      I've hit a stall 9 months out. I'm not worried, though. My fitness levels continue to improve and I have nearly accomplished my pre-surgery goal of learning to scuba dive! One dive left to complete to get my PADI card 🐠
      I was able to go for a 10K/6mile hike in the mountains two days ago just for the fun of it. In the before days, I might have attempted this, but it would have taken me 7 or 8 hours to complete and I would have been exhausted and in pain for the next two days. Taking my time with breaks for snacks and water, I was finished with my wee jaunt in only 4 hours 😎 and really got to enjoy photographing some insects, fungi, and turtles.
      Just for fun last week, I ran two 5Ks in two days, something I would have never done in the past! Next goal is a 10K before the end of this month.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Teriesa

      Hi everyone, I wrote back in May about having no strength. I still get totally exhausted just walking from room to room, it’s so bad I’m using a walker with wheels of all things. I had the gastric sleeve Jan. 24th. I’m doing exactly what the programs says, except protein shakes. I have different meats and protein bars daily, including vitamins daily. I do drink my fluids as well.  I go in for IV hydration 4 days a week and feel ok just til evening.  So far as of Jan 1st I’ve dropped 76 lbs. I just want to enjoy the weight lose. Any suggestions or has anyone else gone thru this??  Doctor says just increase calorie intake, still the same. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Stone Art By SKL

      Decorative Wall Cladding & Panels | Stone Art By SKL
      Elevate your space with Stone Art By SKL's decorative wall claddings & panels. Explore premium designs for timeless elegance.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Losing my hair in clumps and still dealing with "stomach" issues from gallbladder removal surgery. On the positive side I'm doing better about meeting protein and water goals and taking my vitamins, so yay? 🤷‍♀️
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×