How Much Does a Panniculectomy Cost? Price and Procedure Guide

If you've recently had significant weight loss after pregnancy or bariatric surgery, you may be left with excess skin and fat on the abdomen that can hang over the genitals or down to the thighs. The overhanging skin is officially called a pannus, and removing this extra skin with a procedure called a panniculectomy can help reduce health concerns such as chafing, rashes, infection or back pain. Plus, it can help you gain confidence after a dramatic weight change.¹

What Is a Panniculectomy?

A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure to change the shape and form of the abdomen by removing the excess fat and skin that can hang down over the abdomen. The procedure may be desired after a pregnancy or a dramatic weight loss following bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass surgery, VSG surgery or Lap-Band® surgery.¹

Panniculectomy vs. tummy tuck

Although both procedures center on the abdomen, a tummy tuck focuses on retightening the abdominal muscles, whereas a panniculectomy solely removes excess abdominal fat and skin. However, the two procedures can be done in conjunction to achieve desired results.¹

A panniculectomy might be covered by health insurance if it's deemed medically necessary.¹ A tummy tuck, however, is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and is typically not covered by insurance.²

How Much Does a Panniculectomy Cost?

The national average cost* of a panniculectomy is $7,000, with a range between $5,393 and $13,618. The overall cost of the procedure can be impacted by the surgeon’s experience, amount of skin removed, anesthesia type and clinic location.³

Average cost of a panniculectomy by state/district

The cost of getting a panniculectomy can also vary based on your geographic location. Below is a breakdown of the average cost* of a panniculectomy by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.³

Does Insurance Cover a Panniculectomy?

You may be eligible for health insurance coverage for a panniculectomy if it's deemed medically necessary due to health issues like back pain, chafing, dermatitis or infection caused by excess skin. Talk with your insurance provider to see if you qualify.¹

If you are interested in a panniculectomy for purely cosmetic reasons, insurance may not cover the procedure.¹ In this case, you may want to explore other financing options.

Candidates for a Panniculectomy

A good candidate for a panniculectomy is someone who could benefit from the removal of excessive, overhanging abdominal skin or fat — whether for aesthetic concerns or medical reasons such as chafing, sores or hygiene issues. Potential candidates should be in good health, nonsmokers and have maintained a stable weight.⁴

What Happens During a Panniculectomy?

Here’s what you can expect before, during and after a panniculectomy.

Preparation

Before a panniculectomy, a surgeon will review your medical history, any current medications and evaluate the overhanging skin. If you smoke, you will be asked to stop in the weeks leading up to the procedure as it can hinder the healing process.¹

In the days prior to the surgery, be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding food, drink and medication usage.¹

Procedure

During a panniculectomy, an anesthesiologist will first administer either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. The surgeon will then make a horizontal incision from the navel down to the pubic bone, and another incision around the navel. Depending on the amount of excess skin and fat, a vertical incision may also be necessary.⁵

The stomach skin is pulled down taut and repositioned. Excess skin is trimmed away, and the remaining skin is stitched into place. When possible, the original navel will be repositioned, but sometimes a new navel must be created.⁵

All incisions will then be sutured. You may be given a compression garment to reduce swelling and provide support as the abdomen heals. Small tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to help drain any excess fluid.¹

Recovery

After a panniculectomy, many patients will need to spend a night or two at the hospital.¹

Expect several weeks for swelling to decrease and for the incisions to heal. Follow your surgeon’s directions on caring for the incision site and drainage tubes, as well as using compression garments. Due to the tautness of the abdominal skin, it may be difficult to stand up straight for the first few weeks.¹

Strenuous activity like working out should be avoided for four to six weeks after a panniculectomy.¹ Check with your doctor before beginning a workout regime after the procedure.

A panniculectomy will leave a horizontal scar from the pubic bone to the belly button and may sometimes require a vertical incision as well. The exact size and location of the scars will depend on the amount of excess skin being removed.⁵

Some patients may still see swelling for up to three months, and the body may not adjust to its final new form for up to two years.¹

Potential Panniculectomy Concerns

A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure and includes a chance of complications or side effects. These can include:⁶

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Loose skin or skin loss
• Numbness
• Scarring
• Seroma or hematoma

The most common complications from a panniculectomy are poor wound healing and seroma, which is the buildup of fluid under the skin after surgery. Following your surgeon’s instructions for wound care and compression garment use after the procedure can help decrease likelihood of these side effects.⁷

Panniculectomy Results

Even though the procedure may take months for full recovery, the good news is that most patients report being very satisfied with the results of a panniculectomy.¹ It is important to note that while the results from a panniculectomy are considered permanent, they can be impacted by future weight fluctuations, which can influence skin laxity.⁸

If you aren't satisfied with the final results, talk to your surgeon about whether additional procedures, such as a tummy tuck or scar revision, are needed to help achieve your desired results.

Financing a Panniculectomy With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for a panniculectomy and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.