Losing a significant amount of weight can leave you with excess skin. When the skin has completely lost its elasticity, it cannot be fixed naturally. Diet or exercise cannot rid sagging, excess skin. The only way to deal with the issue is through surgery. 

 

Panniculectomy and tummy tuck are procedures that rid excess skin around the abdomen. There is a difference between the two procedures. A panniculectomy procedure is a medical procedure. A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a cosmetic and elective procedure. 

 

Panniculectomy Surgery 

A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure meant for people who have lost a large amount of weight. People who have had weight loss surgery are often left with extensive amounts of sagging skin on the belly. The invasive treatment helps remove this skin. 

 

The excess skin can greatly affect an individual’s quality of life, which is the reason it is considered a medical necessity. The area under the hanging skin can develop infections, rashes, and even ulcers.

 

Tummy Tuck Surgery

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure that rids excess skin. The procedure is usually performed for aesthetic rather than medical reasons. Unlike a panniculectomy, a tummy tuck is an elective procedure that helps enhance the appearance of the body. 

 

Apart from removing excess skin, the surgeon will also tighten the abdominal muscles. This helps sculpt the body into a more desirable shape.

 

Safety and Convenience 

The procedures are considered quite safe. They require preparation and extensive post-surgical care. For best results, the procedures must be performed by an experienced board-certified surgeon.

 

Surgery Success Rate

Both procedures are considered similarly successful, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to ensuring the best long-term results. The two surgical treatments help remove excess skin, but a tummy tuck also helps with contouring. Understanding the difference between the two procedures will help you determine exactly what you need. 

 

You should lose weight before the two procedures and maintain the weight loss after the treatment. However, the procedures are not weight-loss strategies.

 

To learn more about panniculectomy and tummy tuck, visit Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery of Acadiana at our office in Lafayette, Louisiana. You can call (337) 221-9855 today to book an appointment.