Treatments / Body / Panniculectomy
Body contouring after weight loss
Panniculectomy (Apronectomy) in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and London
Removing an overhanging apron of skin
A panniculectomy, also called an apronectomy, removes the overhanging apron of skin and fat below the belly button, mainly to ease rashes, hygiene problems and discomfort. Mr Siva Kumar explains how it differs from a tummy tuck.
At a glance
What is a panniculectomy?
Relief from the overhang
After major weight loss, or sometimes after pregnancy, a fold of skin and fat can hang down over the lower tummy and the pubic area. This apron, called a pannus, can cause sore, weeping rashes underneath, make hygiene difficult and get in the way of walking and exercise.
A panniculectomy removes the apron through a low scar across the tummy. Its main aim is comfort and health rather than shape. Unlike a tummy tuck, the tummy muscles are not repaired, the skin above the belly button is not tightened, and the belly button is usually left where it is.
Because it is a smaller operation, a panniculectomy can sometimes help people whose weight is not yet low enough for a full tummy tuck, or be a first stage before further surgery later. The risk of wound-healing problems is higher when the BMI is higher, so Mr Kumar will talk this through honestly.
The NHS funds a panniculectomy only in exceptional cases, under local criteria. You can see all the options after weight loss on the surgery after weight loss page, and read our article on loose skin after weight-loss injections.
A panniculectomy can help with
- Sore, recurring rashes or infections under the skin fold
- Difficulty keeping the area clean and dry
- An apron of skin that rubs or gets in the way when walking
- Discomfort when exercising
- Difficulty finding clothes that fit
What it won’t do
- Repair separated tummy muscles
- Tighten loose skin above the belly button
- Give the same shape as a tummy tuck
- Help you lose weight
Your options
Panniculectomy or tummy tuck?
The right operation depends on what bothers you most, your weight and your general health. Mr Kumar will explain the options that suit you.
Panniculectomy
Removes the overhanging apron below the belly button through a low scar. No muscle repair, and the belly button is usually left in place.
- Best for: an apron causing rashes, hygiene problems or discomfort
Full tummy tuck
Removes loose skin above and below the belly button, repairs the muscles and repositions the belly button, for a better shape.
- Best for: improving shape as well as comfort
- Tummy tuck
Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck
Adds a vertical scar to tighten the waist from side to side, after major weight loss.
- Best for: loose skin in both directions
- Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck
A first stage
A panniculectomy can ease symptoms now, with a tummy tuck or body lift considered later once your weight has settled further.
- Best for: when your BMI is still on the high side
- Lower body lift
Mr Kumar’s view
Comfort, not just shape
For many people, a panniculectomy is about being able to walk, exercise and stay clean and comfortable, not about looks. That is a perfectly good reason to have it.
I will always tell you honestly if I think waiting a little longer, or losing a little more weight first, would make the operation safer for you.
Watch & read
Everything you need to know, in one place
Patient guide
Panniculectomy: your patient guide
A detailed booklet written by Mr Kumar. It explains the procedure in depth, how to prepare, every risk and complication, and how to look after yourself afterwards.
Opens as a booklet you can flick through. Your copy is also given to you at consultation.
Your journey
Your step-by-step journey
Your journey starts the moment you get in touch. From your first enquiry to your final check-up, you deal with the same small team, and you will always feel listened to, informed and never rushed.
Get in touch
Call, email or send an enquiry. Our team replies promptly and personally, and finds a time and clinic that suit you.
There is no pressure and no sales script. Tell us a little about what prompted you to get in touch, and we will make sure your consultation is with the right person for you.
Consultation
An unhurried, face-to-face appointment with Mr Kumar himself, who will be your surgeon from start to finish.
He listens to what you would like to change, examines you, explains every option, including non-surgical ones and doing nothing, and gives you an honest view of the likely result.
Time to decide
You receive a written plan, a clear quote and your patient guide, then take as long as you need.
A second consultation is included before surgery, and there is a cooling-off period of at least two weeks. Bring someone with you, ask anything, and change your mind at any point.
Day of treatment
A panniculectomy is done under general anaesthetic and usually takes two to three hours. A drain is sometimes used, you wear a compression garment, and you usually stay in hospital for one or two nights. Measures to prevent blood clots start on the day of surgery.
He will see you beforehand to go through the plan and answer last-minute questions, and you will have clear instructions and a number to call once you go home.
Aftercare and follow-up
Reviews at each stage of your recovery, with support 24 hours a day whenever you need it.
Follow-up appointments are included in your package price, and continue until you have healed and are happy with how things have settled. Your wound is checked regularly in the first few weeks, with nurse support between appointments.
Recovery
Healing, step by step
Everyone heals at their own pace. This is a typical recovery, and Mr Kumar will give you a personal plan.
Rest at home. Walk little and often, and wear your compression garment.
Wound checks. Many people return to desk work after two to four weeks.
Driving from about three to four weeks, and a gradual return to normal activities. No heavy lifting.
Return to exercise. The scar slowly softens and fades over the next year.
Patient results
Before & after
Photographs are shared only with each patient’s written consent. Everyone is different, so individual results vary.
More patient results coming soon
In the meantime, Mr Kumar can show you results for patients with similar concerns during your consultation.
Safety
Risks and staying safe
All surgery carries some risk. Mr Kumar will go through these with you in detail, and the patient guide covers them in full, so you can make an informed decision.
Possible risks
- Slow wound healing or small areas of wound breakdown, more likely with a higher BMI, diabetes or smoking
- Fluid collecting under the skin (seroma)
- Infection
- Bleeding or a collection of blood (haematoma)
- Wide or raised scars, or small “dog ears” of skin at the ends of the scar
- Numbness of the lower tummy skin
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs
- Loose skin remaining above the scar
Lowering your risk
- Your weight should be stable for at least 6 to 12 months
- Any rash under the fold should be treated and settled before surgery
- If you have diabetes, good blood sugar control helps healing
- Tell Mr Kumar and your anaesthetist if you take weight-loss injections, and do not stop or change them without speaking to your prescriber
- Tell us about all medicines and supplements, especially blood thinners
- Stop smoking and vaping well before and after surgery
Fees
Guide price from£7,500
Self-pay consultations £250.
One package price. No hidden surprises.
If you go ahead, you receive a single package price covering your whole journey, so you know exactly what you are paying before you commit. It usually includes:
- Your surgeon’s fee
- Anaesthetist’s fee
- Hospital and theatre fees
- Follow-up consultations
- Aftercare, with 24/7 support
- A clear written quote
FAQs
Your questions, answered
What is the difference between a panniculectomy and a tummy tuck?
A panniculectomy removes only the overhanging apron of skin and fat below the belly button, mainly for comfort and hygiene. A tummy tuck also tightens the skin above the belly button, repairs separated muscles and repositions the belly button, to improve shape. A panniculectomy is a smaller operation, but the result is flatter rather than shaped.
Can I have a panniculectomy on the NHS?
Only in exceptional cases. Most NHS areas follow national guidance, which typically asks for a stable BMI under 30 for at least a year after major weight loss, an apron hanging at or below the pubic bone, and serious problems such as recurrent skin infections or difficulty with daily activities. Criteria vary between areas, and funding often needs an individual funding request. Your GP can tell you the local policy.
How can I get approved for a panniculectomy?
For NHS funding, your GP would need to show that you meet the local criteria, with records of the problems the apron causes and the treatment you have tried. Privately, the decision is made with Mr Kumar at consultation, based on your health and what you want to achieve.
Will my tummy be flat afterwards?
Flatter below the belly button, but not in the same way as a tummy tuck. The skin above the belly button is not tightened and the muscles are not repaired, so some looseness can remain.
Can I have a panniculectomy if my BMI is still high?
Sometimes. A panniculectomy can help people who are struggling with rashes and discomfort while their BMI is still above the level for a full tummy tuck. The risk of wound-healing problems is higher, so Mr Kumar will talk honestly about whether to wait.
What happens to my belly button?
It is usually left where it is, because the skin above it is not moved. If the apron is very large, the belly button may sit within the skin removed, and Mr Kumar will discuss this with you beforehand.
Is a panniculectomy covered by private health insurance?
Rarely. Most insurers treat it as cosmetic, although some may consider it where there is a clear medical reason. Check with your insurer before your consultation.
How much does a panniculectomy cost privately?
The guide price starts from £7,500. Your final fee depends on your treatment plan and choice of hospital, and is confirmed in a written quote after consultation. Self-pay consultations cost £250.
Locations
Where to have your panniculectomy in Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Your consultation and follow-up appointments with Mr Siva Kumar are at The Ü Clinic in Sevenoaks, Kent, or The Ü Clinic in Oxted, Surrey. Your surgery takes place at one of his partner hospitals: The McIndoe Centre in East Grinstead, West Sussex, KIMS Hospital in Maidstone, or North Downs Hospital in Caterham. See all of Mr Siva Kumar's clinic and hospital locations.
Both clinics are within easy reach of Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, West Malling, Westerham, Swanley, Dartford, Gravesend, Orpington, Bromley, Redhill, Reigate, Caterham, Coulsdon, Purley and Croydon. KIMS Hospital in Maidstone is close to Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Aylesford and Ashford, and The McIndoe Centre in East Grinstead is close to Crawley, Horley, Haywards Heath and Edenbridge. Patients also travel from across Sussex, including Brighton, Worthing, Horsham, Eastbourne, Hastings and Crowborough.
Panniculectomy cost: guide prices start from £7,500. Your fee is confirmed in a written quote after your consultation. See all prices.
Thinking about panniculectomy?
Start with an unhurried consultation with Mr Siva Kumar at The Ü Clinic in Sevenoaks or Oxted. Self-pay consultations cost £250.