Panniculectomy Excess Skin Removal for Abdominal Apron and Improved Comfort*

This Panniculectomy case features a Hispanic woman in her 70s who came to Dr. Katzen after years of carrying a large, heavy abdominal apron that made even simple day-to-day activities difficult.  At her highest, she weighed 370 pounds and was left with a massive overhang of skin and fat across her lower abdomen that caused back strain, skin irritation, and problems with hygiene and mobility.  After a thorough consultation and medical evaluation, Dr. Katzen recommended Panniculectomy, a functional excess skin removal surgery focused on eliminating the lower abdominal pannus rather than reshaping the entire abdomen like a cosmetic tummy tuck.  In the operating room, she was placed under general anesthesia for comfort and safety.  Dr. Katzen designed a low horizontal incision across the lower abdomen, then carefully lifted and separated the hanging apron from the underlying muscles and vital structures.  He removed approximately 30 pounds of excess skin and fat, contouring the remaining tissue so the upper abdomen could be advanced downward into a flatter, more stable position.  The deep tissues were secured with internal sutures to support the new contour, and the skin was closed in multiple layers to promote proper healing.  As swelling resolved, the large overhang was gone, her core felt lighter and more balanced, and movement became noticeably easier.  She achieved remarkable results and experienced a meaningful improvement in comfort, posture, and quality of life, demonstrating how panniculectomy with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. J. Timothy Katzen can provide both functional relief and a cleaner abdominal contour for patients with a significant abdominal apron.