I think the point is that most of us who have had major weight loss are very much aware that the panniculectomy will not give us the bikini body. But it might make us look better in our pants… And it might make us feel more comfortable when we walk. It might keep us from having that nasty odor coming from our groin because it’s never exposed to air. I’m pretty sure this doctor is a plastic surgeon… So it’s his job to exploit vanity. But a lot of us who are wanting to panniculectomy or not doing it for vanity as much as we are for our comfort and our mobility snd cleanliness.
@@drsamercabbabeI assume your clientele are what normal people call 'well off.' We'd all love to look normal with clothes off, but your opinion is for out of pocket $$ and we just want enough back so our clothes fit properly. You're on a whole different planet.
@@drsamercabbabe I have to say in your defense In my opinion I believe that you are a very talented Surgeon and I believe that if you can help people to have realistic expectations. A panniculectomy is not Abdominoplasty and more than likely will look terrible and seriously I don't think that I personally would be able to mentally handle looking botched after such an invasive surgery. I'm praying for my insurance to cover the panniculectomy with Abdominoplasty without liposuction and if not I most likely end up having a fdl to address it only because of how much loose skin is on my abdomen above and below my belly button. I don't have the money to have it done so I have to do whatever I can. Praying for a financial breakthrough to have it done right.
Unfortunately a lot of patients have that mentality but once the skin is gone they start to notice the problems with difficulty wearing clothing and I’m normal looking parents and may regret it. In fact some doctors even heard of the belly button doing a panniculectomy and a patient has no idea what that looks like until it’s done.
@@drsamercabbabe I think the issue is when a person has been obese and in discomfort for so long we just want to be out of pain. We are not all wanting bikini bodies…. We just want to be able to walk, or wear a pair of pants. And insurance will not pay for the Tummy tuck.
@amybrown7970 honestly that's the real issue. Almost every insurance plan (even some of the better ones) will only cover the panniculectomy and for whatever reason decided everything else is only "cosmetic" and not covered. I've lost 210 lbs in the 2 years since my wls. I'm obviously much happier in my body now because I can do so much more. However it's such a weird thing to get used to suddenly somehow being both boney and flabby at the same time.
Not accurate, I had a pannimolectomy, mons lift, and a belly button relocation. My stomach is BEAUTIFUL. The doctor who did it is also a bariatric surgeon who happens to also do general surgery.
GIRL! How the heck are YOU going to tell a DOCTOR he isn’t accurate in his description of procedures that he has PERFORMED? Girl ur loud and wrong too! 😂 Omg the audacity of some folks! 😳
@NaughtyB Some doctors have their procedures. I've seen them done, and they did move the belly button back in place, and it wasn't a tummy tuck. When I had a C section my doctor made sure my ab wall was tightened. And it wasn't a tummy tuck! Some doctors want to help, and take pride in their work.
@@white4090tw stop it! I’m not about to sit here and argue with a surgeon over his description of a procedure he’s done! I swear y’all just wanna argue about everything! Y’all will argue with the devil about whether or not there’s water in hell! 😩
There was a time when they cover tummy tucks, they won’t even cover panniculectomy’s in the near future. Breast reductions are becoming extremely difficult to get covered also.
Most plastic surgery dr will offer the panniculectomy surgery, along with the options to do self pay for the other parts of the surgery not covered by insurance for WLS or WL patients seeking extra skin removal, from my experience
So assuming you don’t take higher BMI patients to do tummy tucks on, because I am assuming the outcome would look the same. From what I’ve seen at least, most surgeons have an expected goal weight for each patient. Panniculectomy’s are also done by Plastic surgeons & some don’t have an issue removing the bellybutton. I guess to each their own. You kept this video pretty biased on your own opinion & forgetting some educational points such as: that a higher BMI person CAN benefit from JUST a Panniculectomy to aid in improved mobility and they can go back and revise to a full tummy tuck once they hit their surgeons desired weight. Because you DO have a desired weight for your patients correct?? This video although straight to YOUR point, people looking for information on Panniculectomy(medically necessary) vs tummy tuck(cosmetic) might still feel confused.
That is incorrect, we’ve been doing up to 35 BMI for the last 12 years and just recently reduced it to 33. If your BMI is over 35 you would benefit from further weight loss and the procedure becomes higher risk with less benefit. In fact I just saw a patient who went overseas and had a BMI of 45 and returned with a pulmonary embolus and infected abdomen, these complications are common in high BMI patient. These procedures are not recommended to be done for medical reasons such as these. The risk outweighs the benefit for most patients at a BMI over 35
@@drsamercabbabe THANK YOU DOCTOR!! The video and your response to this comment makes perfect sense. People just want to believe the get TT results no matter what.
Do you know what I noticed? This doctor Answers almost every comment made on this video, even just one month ago. Heck, half the time my friends don’t comment to me! 🤔🙄
Which is extremely nice because I've personally dealt with doctors who's egos were so big that they seemed offended if I asked any questions at all and gave me 5 minutes of their time. It's nice to see a doctor who actually treats people kind.
It would be nice, however, insurance only covers panniculectomy. Not everyone can afford to pay out of pocket or able to take out a loan for a tummy tuck with body contouring.
@@drsamercabbabe is it possible to bill the procedures separate so insurance will cover part of the operation? So say bill lists panniculectomy that goes to insurance, bill that lists ab repair, lipo, etc goes to patient?
Yeah it’s the only part insurance will covers that’s why I’m going to wait, save up so I can pay for the tummy tuck part and get the whole shebang! I refuse to wake up with a worse shape!
I will be having a panni on Jan 31 and am looking forward to it. I had a gastric bypass 7 years ago, lost more weight last year and am very uncomfortable with the apron that I have. I do not expect to have a "beautiful" body, I expect to have this apron taken off so that I may have a better posture, less yeast infections or sores. I know what I will be getting. Will also at the same time will be getting a breast reduction. This is for my health but more for comfort in my back and shoulders. Both are effecting my quality of life. Also, being from Canada this is what is covered by our medical system. I have no desire to go into debt to have a tummy tuck, it would not be considered at all as a necessity.
I watched both procedures, thank you for the confirmation of my observations, the loose overhang just moves upwards creating the same problems plus the complications of surgery.
I am guessing this doctor has never had a gastric sleeve or had pt’s with the gastric sleeve. Most of us Pt’s who have lost over 150 lbs we just want the skin removed and we dont really care about the scar and this procedure is going to help with our journey. I would encourage this provider to not scare any person like he is from getting this procedure if they are well versed on the pros and cons and along with their surgical teams advisement.
I think you misunderstood the content of the video. The purpose of the video is that you should always have the maximum skin removed from a given area not just a small portion in the hopes that insurance might cover it.
I'm glad you did the video, because I have a consultation appointment for a penectolectomy this month. This gives me a better idea of my end results, and that picture just isn't pretty to me.😕😕 I did see someone mention an Extended Penectolectomy can you elaborate on that if there is a such thing or a difference?
@@drsamercabbabe correct. Info is most definitely power. A patient should always be well informed the difference of the two procedures and of course ask them selves: what do I want? What are the results I’m looking to achieve? Based on that every one has to live with their own decisions. I had gastric sleeve roughly a year ago, have lost 80lbs. Yet I might have to live and come to terms with myself and my flabby tummy and arms, given I have this damn rare condition from lupus called lupus anticoagulant disorder. Have PE twice 2 years ago, and I’m bond to xarelto for life. Even with all the precautions taken, I have been decline by 3 plastic surgeons. We shall see what future holds in the next year.
If that’s true then the patient likely had a BMI of over 40 and needed weight loss prior. I almost never remove more than 15 pounds of tissue with a 360 procedure that includes liposuction.
@ hi thank you for the reply the patient once weighed 280lbs now weighs 170 but her stomach hangs that apron is heavy plus the breast and that hang so they walk as if someone were sitting on their shoulders. But you did say tummy tuck vs penn surgery just asking while this procedure is being done do the breast get lifted as well or it’s just midsection only
After doing my research, I understood very well that it was not a tummy tuck and would not give me those results; however, the surgeon I found said he would do a little more work to make it look the best it could with a panniculectomy, so I was very impressed with that response
Surgeons should always do the best they can with any procedure. unfortunately, I see a lot of problems when surgeons try a little harder to get the results that’s needed. This includes floating the belly button, removing the bellybutton or placing very high scars under the belly button in order to remove more skin, when really a tummy tuck is needed. These procedures often end in revision surgery, 2 recoveries and high costs.
I'm getting a transverse and vertical panniculectomy in 2 months and they're fully reconstructing my belly button. Tummy tucks are not covered by insurance while panniculectomy is, especially if they're post weight loss surgery.
Panniculectomy may be covered by certain insurances although that’s becoming more difficult. It should never be done as a standalone procedure, it sounds like you’re having a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck not a panniculectomy.
@@drsamercabbabe That's interesting, I'll have to double check that terminology with the surgeon. My authorization they got with my insurance has the panniculectomy code, I wonder if they're billed the same or not.
I’m my case after gastric sleeve surgery, I might have to live without both. I have a rare condition from lupus anticoagulant that causes blood clots. Had PE TWICE, have gone to 3 surgeons no one wants to take the risk, even with all precautions taken. My last option it’s Yale Medical Center, if they don’t clear me, I’ll have to come to terms between life and flabby arms and tummy 😢
People sometimes just have to accept certain things and I am sure you are strong enough to do that. I have very loose arm skin as well and I just call myself a flying squirrel, they are so cute. :) We can only do what we can do. That is why it is called cosmetic surgery.
Having this procedure done tomorrow morning 01/7/25 was 369lbs to 183lbs. I’m just so sick of seeing this weird flap especially during xxx. I just want it gone & will save up a tummy tuck later.
I have Cushings Disease for the last 18 years and I want to have a tummy tuck, not bc I let myself go but because all the cortisol ruined my stomach. Covered in purple striae! Horrific
Yes. I thought all my loose abdomen skin would be removed without lipo and tightening in a tuck. Insurance approved and had follow up consult w surgeon and found out insurance only covers my hanging apron. So tummy tuck it is
I have been trying to get my insurance to cover my skin removal after losing over 100 pounds and the Dr said they will not cover it and I'm not wanting to get it done. I'm so afraid I'm not planning on having a beautiful Beach body but after losing all this weight I don't want to be botched😢😢😢 😢😢😢 I have been following you for a couple of years now and wish I could have you do my surgery. I need a tummy tuck, arm lift and medial thing lift, and truth be told a breast lift. I'm have so much lose skin it's crazy.
Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately insurance doesn’t want to cover anything that they don’t have to. Many years ago they used to cover these procedures, but it’s very difficult to do so now. We’d love to help you, these are very complex procedures and if they’re not done correctly, and in the correct sequence, revisions are needed (and we see a whole lot of them around the country).
I lost about 80 lbs after lipo, weight loss and exercise. My middle section was very saggy. I had a huge, hanging apron and a deflated upper belly area as well. My surgeon had to perform a fleur de lis and submitted it through my insurance, BCBS. He took photos and sent an explanation with the authorization request. He made the process so seamless, plus my scar is fading beautifully 😍
I still don't understand why you shouldn't have a panniculectomy. What is your reasoning? You say that the pictures online are of tummy tucks. Okay, but why not have removal of skin and fat without touching the muscles? Some of us just want to remove the sagging skin/fat that fold over and not looking to wear a bikini just getting this extra flabbiness gone!
A tummy tuck is significantly different surgery from a panniculectomy, much more than just muscle tightening. The whole point of this is that a panniculectomy cannot be done with a good cosmetic outcome if you’re not able to remove all of the extra skin. A panniculectomy only removes skin below the belly button and if done correctlly, the scar should be some distance below the belly button and not directly on it. As a result, most surgeons try to remove additional skin and the scar ends up directly below the belly button and a very visible area but with loose skin around and above the belly button. If someone is OK with leaving 75% of the loose skin on their abdomen, then it’s an acceptable procedure. Unfortunately, most women are not happy with that outcome after it’s done.
@@drsamercabbabe Thank you for your response. Personally, I don’t care where the scar is. I just want the loose skin and hanging fat removed. I want the surgery to be the least invasive as possible, so repairing the muscles seems like an over kill to me.
Are panniculetcumy's reserved for the severely Morbidly Obese??..Also, is it designed for people that lose a lot of weight (ex: the people that went through some gastric sleeve surgery and lost a lot of immense weight???.
IMO Panniculectomy is only done by the least experienced plastic surgeons, and on the highest risk patients. As you can imagine, this is often times a recipe for higher complication rates. I have never seen a panniculectomy that looks right.
Now I'm a little confused - if you have the kind of tummy tuck you mean, does it include a panniculectomy then? both areas above and below the bellybutton? Is that the kind of combo procedure you think is better to clean up the whole area, so to speak?
Correct. A tummy tuck removes skin below and around the belly button, tightens the muscles and relocated the belly button. A panniculectomy only removes skin below the belly button. A panic ectomy is never the best procedure because it doesn’t remove all of the extra skin on the tummy and is restricted by the belly button location
@@drsamercabbabeI literally just had a panniculectomy a few days ago and my belly button was not a show stopper. I told her it wasn't the end of the world if I lost it, but she was worrying more about her patient than it seems you are. You're peddling tummy tucks and saying a panniculectomy should never be done. First off you should already know a panniculectomy is not considered 'cosmetic' surgery, therefore is covered by insurance as medically necessary. You're pulling cash while there are plastic surgeons out there who actually care about their patients and go a little above and beyond. PS I have a belly button AND the surgery wasn't restricted to where it is.
How about people who have lost significant amounts of weight? I lost 65 lbs and have 20-30 more to go. I am only 23 years old. Some say I have to wait for at least a year because some of the skin will bounce back some say it won't. I am so confused. Which procedure would I need considering my age and no childbirth?
You want as much skin removal as possible for the best result. If your BMI is 30 or less you need at least a tummy tuck, probably a lower body lift and possible a fleur de lis
QUESTION: Do you have to have tightening of the abdomen with a tummy tuck? I am deathly afraid of pain. I have had a c-section in the past and that hurt like a mother-bleeper! I don’t think I could take more pain than that. I have lost a lot of weight and don’t need to be perfect, but slimmer would be fine. I am 52 and don’t need to look 18. I’d just like to wear a dress without looking like I have two major fat rolls
What about a person that has lost a significant amount of weight and they have apron like hanging belly....in that case would the Panniculectomy be better?
No. They need a full tummy tuck and many times even a fleur de lis vertical skin removal. That’s the equivalent of two tummy tucks. The more skin you remove, the better the result
Can't believe the rude comments here. An honest surgeon tells it like it is (Dr. Cabbabe is 100% correct) and people jump on him because he isn't telling them what they want to hear. Well, fortunately for you folks, there's LOTS of plastic surgeons out there who will tell you exactly what you want to hear. With enough money, you can find a board certified plastic surgeon to do just about anything. Me personally, I am looking for a surgeon who will tell me what I need, not what I want to hear. As someone who would qualify for a FREE covered panniculectomy by my insurance, I am choosing to forgo that when I get surgery because I want it done CORRECTLY. To each their own. And yes, I am aware that "not everybody can afford it", but that doesn't mean you need to dump on someone for not telling you what you want to hear. So many internet experts these days telling a plastic surgeon (who has been doing this for decades) that he is wrong. WOW!
Thanks for the comment, you couldn’t be any more correct. Most patients just simply cannot understand what they will look like after a panniculectomy and when they search the Internet, they see tummy tuck pictures listed as a panniculectomy.
Look at this guy. Just trying to make money. Tummy tucks are expensive and they're not covered and not everybody can afford it and there are a lot of benefits to having the surgery he's telling you not to have like no more rashes that could turn into infection and cause a lot of problems. He's obviously never had that kind of loose skin before, but it's unbelievably uncomfortable and sometimes rashes get so bad that people need to get it medically fixed but can't afford a tummy tuck. So honestly I think he's just trying to sell himself but in all reality he has no compassion for the people actually going through these things and no understanding of how thankful some people actually are for these surgeries and some women don't even care. Half the time with their bellies look like in the end they just want the extra skin gone because of the rashes and the pain that comes with that
Sorry you feel that way. As a specialist in revision surgery, most of the panniculectomy patients I’ve seen were botched. If you don’t care what the result looks like, it’s not a big deal, then get a panniculectomy.
Wow. Out of all the plastic surgeon videos I've seen on youtube, this doctor is the most honest. He isn't trying to "upcharge" people, he is being honest. Extremely rude.
I don't know that he's doing that...I think he's trying to help people not rush into a decision based off of pictures online wrongly labeled "panniculectomy before and after" when infact they're usually tummy tuck photos. Lots of people won't realize that. I doubt he is trying to lure people into a tummy tuck via this video.
I think the point is that most of us who have had major weight loss are very much aware that the panniculectomy will not give us the bikini body. But it might make us look better in our pants… And it might make us feel more comfortable when we walk. It might keep us from having that nasty odor coming from our groin because it’s never exposed to air. I’m pretty sure this doctor is a plastic surgeon… So it’s his job to exploit vanity. But a lot of us who are wanting to panniculectomy or not doing it for vanity as much as we are for our comfort and our mobility snd cleanliness.
Yes!
Sorry you feel that way. Most patients I see want to look normal without their clothes on.
@@drsamercabbabeI assume your clientele are what normal people call 'well off.' We'd all love to look normal with clothes off, but your opinion is for out of pocket $$ and we just want enough back so our clothes fit properly. You're on a whole different planet.
Agreed. The reason most of us want it is far different from his opinion. He is missing the point entirely.
@@drsamercabbabe I have to say in your defense In my opinion I believe that you are a very talented Surgeon and I believe that if you can help people to have realistic expectations. A panniculectomy is not Abdominoplasty and more than likely will look terrible and seriously I don't think that I personally would be able to mentally handle looking botched after such an invasive surgery. I'm praying for my insurance to cover the panniculectomy with Abdominoplasty without liposuction and if not I most likely end up having a fdl to address it only because of how much loose skin is on my abdomen above and below my belly button. I don't have the money to have it done so I have to do whatever I can. Praying for a financial breakthrough to have it done right.
I don't care where the scar is. I just want the flap gone
Unfortunately a lot of patients have that mentality but once the skin is gone they start to notice the problems with difficulty wearing clothing and I’m normal looking parents and may regret it. In fact some doctors even heard of the belly button doing a panniculectomy and a patient has no idea what that looks like until it’s done.
@@drsamercabbabe I think the issue is when a person has been obese and in discomfort for so long we just want to be out of pain. We are not all wanting bikini bodies…. We just want to be able to walk, or wear a pair of pants. And insurance will not pay for the Tummy tuck.
@amybrown7970 honestly that's the real issue. Almost every insurance plan (even some of the better ones) will only cover the panniculectomy and for whatever reason decided everything else is only "cosmetic" and not covered. I've lost 210 lbs in the 2 years since my wls. I'm obviously much happier in my body now because I can do so much more. However it's such a weird thing to get used to suddenly somehow being both boney and flabby at the same time.
What scares me is when the Dr. had to Google it to find out what it was 😳.
@tartxcherries and yet if you're a woman transitioning to a man, and you want your breasts removed, it's not considered cosmetic. Make it make sense.
Not accurate, I had a pannimolectomy, mons lift, and a belly button relocation. My stomach is BEAUTIFUL. The doctor who did it is also a bariatric surgeon who happens to also do general surgery.
Who was your Dr
If you had your belly button relocated that is a tummy tuck not a panniculectomy. You had a tummy tuck surgery which is why you’re happy
GIRL! How the heck are YOU going to tell a DOCTOR he isn’t accurate in his description of procedures that he has PERFORMED? Girl ur loud and wrong too! 😂 Omg the audacity of some folks! 😳
@NaughtyB Some doctors have their procedures. I've seen them done, and they did move the belly button back in place, and it wasn't a tummy tuck. When I had a C section my doctor made sure my ab wall was tightened. And it wasn't a tummy tuck! Some doctors want to help, and take pride in their work.
@@white4090tw stop it! I’m not about to sit here and argue with a surgeon over his description of a procedure he’s done! I swear y’all just wanna argue about everything! Y’all will argue with the devil about whether or not there’s water in hell! 😩
Too bad insurance only covers panniculectomy and not tummy tucks
There was a time when they cover tummy tucks, they won’t even cover panniculectomy’s in the near future. Breast reductions are becoming extremely difficult to get covered also.
If the insurance pays for the pani can you cover the difference for the tummy tuck out of pocket?
@@karenbrown575I've been told there are surgeons that can do that where you pay the difference to basically "upgrade" your surgery.
Sometimes you have to get what you can afford 💁🏾♀️everyone can’t afford tummy tuck
Absolutely. But everybody should have the right information to make the right decision.
Most plastic surgery dr will offer the panniculectomy surgery, along with the options to do self pay for the other parts of the surgery not covered by insurance for WLS or WL patients seeking extra skin removal, from my experience
Save up…you can also usually finance it also.
So assuming you don’t take higher BMI patients to do tummy tucks on, because I am assuming the outcome would look the same. From what I’ve seen at least, most surgeons have an expected goal weight for each patient. Panniculectomy’s are also done by Plastic surgeons & some don’t have an issue removing the bellybutton. I guess to each their own. You kept this video pretty biased on your own opinion & forgetting some educational points such as: that a higher BMI person CAN benefit from JUST a Panniculectomy to aid in improved mobility and they can go back and revise to a full tummy tuck once they hit their surgeons desired weight. Because you DO have a desired weight for your patients correct?? This video although straight to YOUR point, people looking for information on Panniculectomy(medically necessary) vs tummy tuck(cosmetic) might still feel confused.
That is incorrect, we’ve been doing up to 35 BMI for the last 12 years and just recently reduced it to 33. If your BMI is over 35 you would benefit from further weight loss and the procedure becomes higher risk with less benefit. In fact I just saw a patient who went overseas and had a BMI of 45 and returned with a pulmonary embolus and infected abdomen, these complications are common in high BMI patient. These procedures are not recommended to be done for medical reasons such as these. The risk outweighs the benefit for most patients at a BMI over 35
@@drsamercabbabe THANK YOU DOCTOR!! The video and your response to this comment makes perfect sense. People just want to believe the get TT results no matter what.
Do you know what I noticed? This doctor Answers almost every comment made on this video, even just one month ago. Heck, half the time my friends don’t comment to me! 🤔🙄
Which is extremely nice because I've personally dealt with doctors who's egos were so big that they seemed offended if I asked any questions at all and gave me 5 minutes of their time. It's nice to see a doctor who actually treats people kind.
It would be nice, however, insurance only covers panniculectomy. Not everyone can afford to pay out of pocket or able to take out a loan for a tummy tuck with body contouring.
Definitely. But everyone should be fully informed in making their decisions.
@@drsamercabbabe is it possible to bill the procedures separate so insurance will cover part of the operation? So say bill lists panniculectomy that goes to insurance, bill that lists ab repair, lipo, etc goes to patient?
Yeah it’s the only part insurance will covers that’s why I’m going to wait, save up so I can pay for the tummy tuck part and get the whole shebang! I refuse to wake up with a worse shape!
I will be having a panni on Jan 31 and am looking forward to it. I had a gastric bypass 7 years ago, lost more weight last year and am very uncomfortable with the apron that I have. I do not expect to have a "beautiful" body, I expect to have this apron taken off so that I may have a better posture, less yeast infections or sores. I know what I will be getting. Will also at the same time will be getting a breast reduction. This is for my health but more for comfort in my back and shoulders. Both are effecting my quality of life. Also, being from Canada this is what is covered by our medical system. I have no desire to go into debt to have a tummy tuck, it would not be considered at all as a necessity.
As long as your expectations are aligned with the procedure……
I watched both procedures, thank you for the confirmation of my observations, the loose overhang just moves upwards creating the same problems plus the complications of surgery.
That is exactly correct! Additional problem is that the scar is right next to the bellybutton and unacceptably visible with loose skin above the scar.
I am guessing this doctor has never had a gastric sleeve or had pt’s with the gastric sleeve. Most of us Pt’s who have lost over 150 lbs we just want the skin removed and we dont really care about the scar and this procedure is going to help with our journey. I would encourage this provider to not scare any person like he is from getting this procedure if they are well versed on the pros and cons and along with their surgical teams advisement.
I think you misunderstood the content of the video. The purpose of the video is that you should always have the maximum skin removed from a given area not just a small portion in the hopes that insurance might cover it.
Our practice does over 150 weight loss patients a year who have major body contouring including national and international patients.
I'm glad you did the video, because I have a consultation appointment for a penectolectomy this month. This gives me a better idea of my end results, and that picture just isn't pretty to me.😕😕 I did see someone mention an Extended Penectolectomy can you elaborate on that if there is a such thing or a difference?
@@uneekbeauti5592 Information is power. Too many deceptive, unethical doctors out there
@@drsamercabbabe correct. Info is most definitely power. A patient should always be well informed the difference of the two procedures and of course ask them selves: what do I want? What are the results I’m looking to achieve?
Based on that every one has to live with their own decisions.
I had gastric sleeve roughly a year ago, have lost 80lbs. Yet I might have to live and come to terms with myself and my flabby tummy and arms, given I have this damn rare condition from lupus called lupus anticoagulant disorder. Have PE twice 2 years ago, and I’m bond to xarelto for life.
Even with all the precautions taken, I have been decline by 3 plastic surgeons.
We shall see what future holds in the next year.
Some ppl complain that the weight of the hanging skin weighs about 20lbs
If that’s true then the patient likely had a BMI of over 40 and needed weight loss prior. I almost never remove more than 15 pounds of tissue with a 360 procedure that includes liposuction.
@ hi thank you for the reply the patient once weighed 280lbs now weighs 170 but her stomach hangs that apron is heavy plus the breast and that hang so they walk as if someone were sitting on their shoulders. But you did say tummy tuck vs penn surgery just asking while this procedure is being done do the breast get lifted as well or it’s just midsection only
That’s a completely unrelated procedure and can be done at the same time
I lost my 50 lbs and I pray the doctor doesn’t leave any overhangs after all I have to go through.
They are limited in the skin removal because of the belly button
After doing my research, I understood very well that it was not a tummy tuck and would not give me those results; however, the surgeon I found said he would do a little more work to make it look the best it could with a panniculectomy, so I was very impressed with that response
Surgeons should always do the best they can with any procedure. unfortunately, I see a lot of problems when surgeons try a little harder to get the results that’s needed. This includes floating the belly button, removing the bellybutton or placing very high scars under the belly button in order to remove more skin, when really a tummy tuck is needed. These procedures often end in revision surgery, 2 recoveries and high costs.
Thank you for the clarification, very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
I'm getting a transverse and vertical panniculectomy in 2 months and they're fully reconstructing my belly button. Tummy tucks are not covered by insurance while panniculectomy is, especially if they're post weight loss surgery.
Panniculectomy may be covered by certain insurances although that’s becoming more difficult. It should never be done as a standalone procedure, it sounds like you’re having a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck not a panniculectomy.
@@drsamercabbabe That's interesting, I'll have to double check that terminology with the surgeon. My authorization they got with my insurance has the panniculectomy code, I wonder if they're billed the same or not.
@@rynxiehh Insurance fraud or doctor is willing to do free surgery - both red flags
I’m my case after gastric sleeve surgery, I might have to live without both.
I have a rare condition from lupus anticoagulant that causes blood clots. Had PE TWICE, have gone to 3 surgeons no one wants to take the risk, even with all precautions taken.
My last option it’s Yale Medical Center, if they don’t clear me, I’ll have to come to terms between life and flabby arms and tummy 😢
RA here with three times PE…come to BC Canada. There is a surgeon who does major restorative work!
Yes. Safety first
People sometimes just have to accept certain things and I am sure you are strong enough to do that. I have very loose arm skin as well and I just call myself a flying squirrel, they are so cute. :) We can only do what we can do. That is why it is called cosmetic surgery.
Having this procedure done tomorrow morning 01/7/25 was 369lbs to 183lbs. I’m just so sick of seeing this weird flap especially during xxx. I just want it gone & will save up a tummy tuck later.
That’s a lot of weight loss. Well, it won’t remove all of the extra skin you have on your abdomen, hopefully it will provide some relief for you.
I have Cushings Disease for the last 18 years and I want to have a tummy tuck, not bc I let myself go but because all the cortisol ruined my stomach. Covered in purple striae! Horrific
Come see us for a consultation!
So basically you don't accept insurance coverage for this procedure. Most people can't afford what's needed
Agree
It's not so much that they don't accept insurance for it, rather the insurance companies just don't cover it. 😕
We accept insurance but they don’t cover much anymore. Even if they cover panniculectomy, you should still get a tummy tuck.
💯
Great advice. Thank you for this information.
Glad it was helpful!
Yes. I thought all my loose abdomen skin would be removed without lipo and tightening in a tuck. Insurance approved and had follow up consult w surgeon and found out insurance only covers my hanging apron. So tummy tuck it is
Definitely do the full tummy tuck otherwise you’ll be doing a revision. Make sure they’re doing lipo also
I have been trying to get my insurance to cover my skin removal after losing over 100 pounds and the Dr said they will not cover it and I'm not wanting to get it done. I'm so afraid I'm not planning on having a beautiful Beach body but after losing all this weight I don't want to be botched😢😢😢 😢😢😢 I have been following you for a couple of years now and wish I could have you do my surgery. I need a tummy tuck, arm lift and medial thing lift, and truth be told a breast lift. I'm have so much lose skin it's crazy.
Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately insurance doesn’t want to cover anything that they don’t have to. Many years ago they used to cover these procedures, but it’s very difficult to do so now. We’d love to help you, these are very complex procedures and if they’re not done correctly, and in the correct sequence, revisions are needed (and we see a whole lot of them around the country).
I lost about 80 lbs after lipo, weight loss and exercise. My middle section was very saggy. I had a huge, hanging apron and a deflated upper belly area as well. My surgeon had to perform a fleur de lis and submitted it through my insurance, BCBS. He took photos and sent an explanation with the authorization request. He made the process so seamless, plus my scar is fading beautifully 😍
I still don't understand why you shouldn't have a panniculectomy. What is your reasoning? You say that the pictures online are of tummy tucks. Okay, but why not have removal of skin and fat without touching the muscles? Some of us just want to remove the sagging skin/fat that fold over and not looking to wear a bikini just getting this extra flabbiness gone!
A tummy tuck is significantly different surgery from a panniculectomy, much more than just muscle tightening. The whole point of this is that a panniculectomy cannot be done with a good cosmetic outcome if you’re not able to remove all of the extra skin. A panniculectomy only removes skin below the belly button and if done correctlly, the scar should be some distance below the belly button and not directly on it. As a result, most surgeons try to remove additional skin and the scar ends up directly below the belly button and a very visible area but with loose skin around and above the belly button. If someone is OK with leaving 75% of the loose skin on their abdomen, then it’s an acceptable procedure. Unfortunately, most women are not happy with that outcome after it’s done.
@@drsamercabbabe Thank you for your response. Personally, I don’t care where the scar is. I just want the loose skin and hanging fat removed. I want the surgery to be the least invasive as possible, so repairing the muscles seems like an over kill to me.
insurance coverage thinks anything other than the panniculectomy is cosmetic and not covered.
That’s correct. Insurance really doesn’t cover much anymore.
Are panniculetcumy's reserved for the severely Morbidly Obese??..Also, is it designed for people that lose a lot of weight (ex: the people that went through some gastric sleeve surgery and lost a lot of immense weight???.
IMO Panniculectomy is only done by the least experienced plastic surgeons, and on the highest risk patients. As you can imagine, this is often times a recipe for higher complication rates. I have never seen a panniculectomy that looks right.
Now I'm a little confused - if you have the kind of tummy tuck you mean, does it include a panniculectomy then? both areas above and below the bellybutton? Is that the kind of combo procedure you think is better to clean up the whole area, so to speak?
Correct. A tummy tuck removes skin below and around the belly button, tightens the muscles and relocated the belly button. A panniculectomy only removes skin below the belly button. A panic ectomy is never the best procedure because it doesn’t remove all of the extra skin on the tummy and is restricted by the belly button location
@@drsamercabbabeI literally just had a panniculectomy a few days ago and my belly button was not a show stopper. I told her it wasn't the end of the world if I lost it, but she was worrying more about her patient than it seems you are. You're peddling tummy tucks and saying a panniculectomy should never be done. First off you should already know a panniculectomy is not considered 'cosmetic' surgery, therefore is covered by insurance as medically necessary. You're pulling cash while there are plastic surgeons out there who actually care about their patients and go a little above and beyond.
PS I have a belly button AND the surgery wasn't restricted to where it is.
How about people who have lost significant amounts of weight? I lost 65 lbs and have 20-30 more to go. I am only 23 years old. Some say I have to wait for at least a year because some of the skin will bounce back some say it won't. I am so confused. Which procedure would I need considering my age and no childbirth?
You want as much skin removal as possible for the best result. If your BMI is 30 or less you need at least a tummy tuck, probably a lower body lift and possible a fleur de lis
QUESTION:
Do you have to have tightening of the abdomen with a tummy tuck? I am deathly afraid of pain. I have had a c-section in the past and that hurt like a mother-bleeper! I don’t think I could take more pain than that. I have lost a lot of weight and don’t need to be perfect, but slimmer would be fine. I am 52 and don’t need to look 18. I’d just like to wear a dress without looking like I have two major fat rolls
You don’t have to but it is generally done.
Can I have a tummy tuck after a pannimolectomy?
Yes
What about a person that has lost a significant amount of weight and they have apron like hanging belly....in that case would the Panniculectomy be better?
No. They need a full tummy tuck and many times even a fleur de lis vertical skin removal. That’s the equivalent of two tummy tucks. The more skin you remove, the better the result
Yeah but unfortunately insurance doesn't cover tummy tucks.
They used to. They aren’t covering most reductions now, either
Insurance won’t pay for a tummy tuck
Insurance doesn’t cover much anymore
Never say Never. I'm being considered for a panniculectomy due to severe panniculitis. Not skin/fat removal from weight loss.
If your BMI is under 33 then you probably need more skin removal than a panniculectomy
One man's opinion.
One man who has done hundreds of revision body contouring surgeries
@@drsamercabbabe 👍😁
Sounds like you just want your customers to pay thousands of more dollars to go with tummy tucks.
Most patients want to look normal when they look at themselves, so yes a tummy tuck is always recommended.
@@drsamercabbabe Nothing about tummy tucks is "normal."
Can u get a tummy tuck after a panniculectomy. Because I don't like my upper stomach now but love the bottom lmbo.
Yes, only see an experienced revision surgeon
Can't believe the rude comments here. An honest surgeon tells it like it is (Dr. Cabbabe is 100% correct) and people jump on him because he isn't telling them what they want to hear. Well, fortunately for you folks, there's LOTS of plastic surgeons out there who will tell you exactly what you want to hear. With enough money, you can find a board certified plastic surgeon to do just about anything. Me personally, I am looking for a surgeon who will tell me what I need, not what I want to hear. As someone who would qualify for a FREE covered panniculectomy by my insurance, I am choosing to forgo that when I get surgery because I want it done CORRECTLY. To each their own. And yes, I am aware that "not everybody can afford it", but that doesn't mean you need to dump on someone for not telling you what you want to hear. So many internet experts these days telling a plastic surgeon (who has been doing this for decades) that he is wrong. WOW!
Thanks for the comment, you couldn’t be any more correct. Most patients just simply cannot understand what they will look like after a panniculectomy and when they search the Internet, they see tummy tuck pictures listed as a panniculectomy.
Look at this guy. Just trying to make money. Tummy tucks are expensive and they're not covered and not everybody can afford it and there are a lot of benefits to having the surgery he's telling you not to have like no more rashes that could turn into infection and cause a lot of problems. He's obviously never had that kind of loose skin before, but it's unbelievably uncomfortable and sometimes rashes get so bad that people need to get it medically fixed but can't afford a tummy tuck. So honestly I think he's just trying to sell himself but in all reality he has no compassion for the people actually going through these things and no understanding of how thankful some people actually are for these surgeries and some women don't even care. Half the time with their bellies look like in the end they just want the extra skin gone because of the rashes and the pain that comes with that
Sorry you feel that way. As a specialist in revision surgery, most of the panniculectomy patients I’ve seen were botched. If you don’t care what the result looks like, it’s not a big deal, then get a panniculectomy.
Wow. Out of all the plastic surgeon videos I've seen on youtube, this doctor is the most honest. He isn't trying to "upcharge" people, he is being honest. Extremely rude.
I don't know that he's doing that...I think he's trying to help people not rush into a decision based off of pictures online wrongly labeled "panniculectomy before and after" when infact they're usually tummy tuck photos. Lots of people won't realize that. I doubt he is trying to lure people into a tummy tuck via this video.