Typically, after weight loss, patients develop a considerable amount of sagging skin throughout the lower abdomen and torso. These redundant skin folds can chafe, harbor bacteria, and lead to chronic skin infections.  Often these rashes become resistant to topical antibiotics and usually, the only solution is surgical excision of redundant skin and remaining fat. 

PANNICULECTOMY:  By definition, this procedure is done to remove the abdominal “pannus”.  The pannus is that skin and fat that hangs over the pubic hair area.  A panniculectomy removes this pannus; however, a panniculectomy does not address the abdominal musculature or allow for correction of any existing hernias.  This surgery lasts approximately 4-6 hours.

ABDOMINOPLASTY (TUMMY TUCK): This is a more invasive procedure and in general, allows for removal of more skin and fat than a panniculectomy.  Typically, an abdominoplasty allows for the removal of skin and fat from the top of the belly button to the top of the pubic hair.  Dr. Katzen will individually craft your incision to allow for most clothing to cover your scar.  If you are planning on wearing “low riders” or “hip huggers”, Dr. Katzen will place the incision low.  If instead you want to show off your legs, the incision can be placed high in what is called a “French-cut”.  If you are in between, Dr. Katzen can customize your incision and resulting scar to lie between these two types of incisions.  Either incision allows Dr. Katzen to remove skin and fat from your abdomen.  During your abdominoplasty, Dr. Katzen will also tighten your “six-pack” or rectus abdominis muscles.  This can bring in your waist line by as much as 6 inches.  Also, if there are any abdominal hernias, Dr. Katzen will repair them at that time.  As in most other body regions, the longer the scar the better the results.  This surgery lasts approximately 4-6 hours.  Typically, patients can go home the same day or may want to spend a night in the hospital.

CIRCUMFERENTIAL BODY LIFT: This is a continuation of the abdominoplasty incision that goes right around to the back.  The incision not only tightens the abdomen, but allows for elevation of the outer thighs, removal of saddle bags, removal of “love handles”, and lifting of the buttocks. Dr. Katzen begins this procedure with an incision made above the buttock. After the buttock and outer thighs are lifted, Dr. Katzen has to flip you over on the operating room table to perform the abdominoplasty.  The removed torso skin and fat resembles the shape of a cummerbund.   The weight of this specimen varies and is dependent on the amount of skin and fat present.  The main goal of this type of surgery is not weight reduction, but improvement in torso shape. This surgery usually lasts approximately 6-8 hours.  Typically, patients spend 2-4 days in the hospital.