Over the past two years, plastic surgeons across the country have seen a dramatic increase in patients seeking treatment for excess skin after major weight loss.
Medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and similar drugs have helped many individuals achieve significant weight reduction. While this is wonderful for overall health, rapid or large weight loss often leaves behind loose, hanging skin—particularly in the lower abdomen.
This excess tissue is called a pannus, and in some patients it can extend well below the waistline. Beyond cosmetic concerns, a large pannus can cause very real physical problems. Patients may experience skin irritation, rashes, infections, difficulty exercising, and problems with clothing fit.
A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure designed specifically to remove this excess hanging tissue. During the operation, the surgeon removes the pannus—the apron of skin and fat that hangs over the lower abdomen—resulting in a flatter, more comfortable abdominal contour.
It is important to understand that a panniculectomy is not the same as a tummy tuck. Unlike a full abdominoplasty, undermining during a panniculectomy does not extend much above the navel and a panniculectomy typically does not tighten the abdominal muscles or significantly reshape the waistline. Its primary purpose is functional: removing the heavy overhanging tissue.
