You may have lost the weight, but the loose abdominal skin can still get in the way. A heavy lower-abdominal skin fold can rub when you walk, stay damp, make exercise uncomfortable, cause recurring irritation, and make the area difficult to keep clean and dry.
At Florida Surgery & Weight Loss Center, Dr. Sergey Terushkin, MD, FACS evaluates patients for panniculectomy and excess skin removal after major weight loss. Our clinic is in Hollywood, Florida, and we see patients who travel from communities throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach County, and the rest of South Florida.
See a real example of abdominal excess skin removal after significant weight loss at Florida Surgery And Weight Loss Center.
Every patient is different. Before-and-after photos can help you understand the type of change panniculectomy may produce, but your result depends on your anatomy, amount and location of excess skin, weight history, healing, and surgical plan.
It removes the loose, heavy abdominal skin that can remain after major weight loss.
After substantial weight loss, the number on the scale may change much faster than the skin. Some people are left with loose, hanging abdominal skin that folds over the lower abdomen. Doctors commonly call this a pannus; patients often describe it as an apron belly.
For many patients, this is not just about appearance. The extra skin can rub, trap moisture, make clothing uncomfortable, interfere with exercise, and contribute to recurring irritation underneath the fold. Panniculectomy removes the excess abdominal skin and tissue so the lower abdomen is easier to manage day to day.
Removes a lower abdominal pannus that remains after substantial weight loss.
May help when folds contribute to recurrent rashes, moisture, chafing, or infections.
Excess skin may interfere with walking, exercise, clothing, or hygiene.
Often considered once weight has stabilized and the patient is medically ready for surgery.
Loose skin can remain after successful weight loss, whether the weight came off with surgery, medication, or lifestyle changes.
We see patients looking for loose skin removal after weight loss for many different reasons. Some lost weight after bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve surgery or gastric bypass. Others lost substantial weight with GLP-1 medications, physician-guided medical weight loss, diet and exercise, or a combination of approaches.
How you lost the weight is only one part of the evaluation. Dr. Terushkin also looks at your current weight, how stable it has been, nutrition, overall health, where the excess skin is located, and whether the abdominal fold is causing symptoms or functional problems.
For a broader look at treatment after major weight loss, see our post-bariatric after-weight-loss surgery options and our guide to which procedure removes excess skin after weight loss.
There is no single number on the scale that answers this. What matters is your anatomy, symptoms, health, and whether surgery can safely improve the problem.
Your surgeon may want your weight to be stable before proceeding.
You have hanging lower abdominal skin that remains despite weight loss.
Rashes, infections, hygiene difficulty, discomfort, or activity limitations may be relevant.
Your overall health and surgical risk must be evaluated before treatment.
These are the practical concerns people tend to have before they ever call a surgeon.
Skin does not always shrink back after major weight loss, especially when it has been stretched for a long time. Age, genetics, the amount of weight lost, pregnancy history, and skin quality can all play a role.
That is a common reason to ask about panniculectomy. Patients may be more concerned about rubbing, moisture, rashes, hygiene, exercise, or clothing than about getting a cosmetic “flat stomach.”
They can. Some plans consider documented recurrent irritation, infections, hygiene problems, or functional limitations when reviewing medical necessity. Each insurance policy has its own requirements.
If the skin fold is causing recurring medical problems, mention them to your healthcare provider. Insurance reviewers may ask for clinical notes, treatment history, photographs, and other documentation.
Potentially, yes. The important questions are whether your weight is stable enough, whether you are medically ready for surgery, and what type of excess skin removal would actually address your anatomy.
You do not need to live in Hollywood. Dr. Terushkin sees patients who travel to our Hollywood clinic from throughout South Florida for consultation, surgery planning, and follow-up.
They can involve the same general area, but they are not the same operation.
Panniculectomy primarily removes the hanging lower abdominal pannus, often for functional or medical reasons. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is generally a cosmetic body-contouring procedure and may include muscle tightening and additional reshaping.
If your main problem is a heavy abdominal skin fold causing symptoms, Dr. Terushkin can determine which surgical approach fits your anatomy and goals.
Panniculectomy may be covered when excess abdominal skin causes documented medical or functional problems and your plan’s requirements are met.
Florida Surgery & Weight Loss Center accepts a range of major insurance plans for eligible excess skin removal patients, including:
Acceptance of an insurance plan does not guarantee coverage for panniculectomy. Benefits, network participation, medical-necessity criteria, deductibles, coinsurance, and prior-authorization requirements vary by plan. Our team can verify benefits and explain the authorization process before surgery.
Insurance is not the only way to move forward with excess skin removal.
Florida Surgery & Weight Loss Center offers competitive self-pay options for panniculectomy patients in Hollywood, FL and throughout South Florida. Pricing depends on the amount of excess tissue, surgical complexity, operating time, facility fees, anesthesia, and your individual treatment plan.
For patients who prefer to spread out the cost, financing through Cherry may be available for qualified applicants. Ask our team about current self-pay pricing and available payment options during your consultation.
A clear process helps patients know what comes next.
Tell our team about your weight-loss history, symptoms, insurance, and what you want to improve.
Your abdomen, health history, weight stability, symptoms, and goals are evaluated to determine whether panniculectomy is appropriate.
If coverage may apply, required documentation and authorization steps are reviewed. Self-pay patients receive individualized pricing.
Your surgical and recovery plan is based on your individual anatomy and medical needs, with follow-up as you heal.
Recovery varies by patient and by the extent of surgery.
Most people want to know two things: “When can I go back to work?” and “When will I feel normal again?” There is no one recovery timeline for everyone. The amount of skin removed, the length of the incision, your health, your type of work, and how you heal all matter.
Expect swelling, soreness, incision care, activity restrictions, and follow-up visits. Some patients return to lighter daily activities before they are ready for lifting, strenuous exercise, or physically demanding work. Dr. Terushkin gives each patient specific postoperative instructions based on the operation performed.
Surgical care from a physician experienced in bariatric and post-weight-loss patients.
Dr. Sergey Terushkin, MD, FACS works with patients throughout the weight-loss journey, including bariatric surgery and treatment after significant weight loss. That experience is important when evaluating excess skin, weight stability, surgical risk, and realistic postoperative goals.
Florida Surgery & Weight Loss Center is located in Hollywood, Florida, but the practice is not limited to Hollywood residents. Dr. Terushkin sees panniculectomy and excess skin removal patients from Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County, and communities throughout South Florida.
Our clinic is in Hollywood, FL, but Dr. Terushkin sees patients from around South Florida. Many people are willing to travel for a surgeon who regularly works with bariatric and post-weight-loss patients, especially when they are trying to understand whether their loose abdominal skin is a medical problem, a cosmetic concern, or both.
Patients come to our Hollywood office for panniculectomy and abdominal excess skin removal consultations from Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County.
Use these guides to learn more before your consultation.
Short, practical answers to the questions patients often ask before they schedule.
Sometimes skin retracts to a degree, but significant hanging skin may remain after major weight loss. How much it tightens depends on factors such as age, genetics, how long the skin was stretched, pregnancy history, the amount of weight lost, and skin quality. A consultation can help determine whether surgery is reasonable.
Yes. Panniculectomy is a form of abdominal excess skin removal. It specifically removes the lower abdominal pannus—the hanging fold of skin and tissue that can remain after substantial weight loss.
Some plans may cover panniculectomy when their medical-necessity requirements are met. Insurers may look for documented rashes, infections, hygiene problems, functional limitations, prior treatment, photographs, weight stability, and other records. Coverage depends on the exact plan and authorization decision.
If you are seeking insurance coverage, documentation can matter. If the abdominal fold repeatedly becomes irritated, infected, painful, or difficult to manage, discuss it with your healthcare provider rather than waiting until the surgical consultation. Your insurer may request records showing the problem and treatments you have already tried.
Potentially, yes. Patients seek excess skin removal after many types of major weight loss. Dr. Terushkin will evaluate weight stability, nutrition, overall health, anatomy, symptoms, and surgical risk before recommending a procedure.
For many patients, the goal is not a perfect stomach. They want relief from a heavy skin fold that rubs, traps moisture, makes exercise or clothing uncomfortable, or creates hygiene problems. Whether surgery is worthwhile is a personal decision that should be based on your symptoms, goals, risks, and expected result.
No. Panniculectomy primarily removes the pannus. A tummy tuck may involve additional cosmetic contouring and abdominal muscle tightening. The scar pattern and final contour can also differ. Dr. Terushkin can explain which operation matches your goals.
Pain and soreness vary from person to person and with the extent of surgery. Patients should expect postoperative discomfort, swelling, activity restrictions, incision care, and follow-up. Your surgical team will discuss pain control and a realistic return-to-work and activity plan.
No. Florida Surgery & Weight Loss Center is located in Hollywood, but Dr. Terushkin sees panniculectomy and excess skin removal patients from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Aventura, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, and other South Florida communities.
Call our clinic at (954) 551-3508. Our team can explain the consultation process, discuss insurance verification or self-pay options, and schedule an evaluation with Dr. Terushkin.
If hanging abdominal skin is causing discomfort, recurrent irritation, hygiene problems, or limiting your daily life, call Florida Surgery & Weight Loss Center. Our team can help you schedule an evaluation with Dr. Sergey Terushkin and discuss insurance or self-pay options.
Florida Surgery & Weight Loss Center
1911 Harrison St, Suite #5, Hollywood, FL 33020
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