Panniculectomy in Toronto
What this procedure may address
- A hanging abdominal apron
- Recurrent irritation beneath a fold
- Hygiene or mobility difficulty
- Tissue excess after major weight loss
What patients need to understand
Functional symptoms do not guarantee public or private insurance coverage. Documentation and eligibility depend on the proposed procedure and payer requirements.
Assessment and planning
Planning considers fold symptoms, weight stability, scars, hernias, nutrition, smoking and whether the patient wants functional removal alone or broader contouring.
Recovery
The wound is substantial and may lie beneath a fold. Drains, compression and careful hygiene may be required. Wound separation and seroma are important risks.
Individual postoperative instructions take priority over general timelines published online.
Risks and limitations
The proposed benefits must be weighed against risks that include:
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Infection
- Anaesthetic complications
- Poor wound healing or unfavourable scarring
- Asymmetry or contour irregularity
- Altered sensation or numbness
- Persistent pain or swelling
- An unsatisfactory result or need for revision surgery
- Fluid accumulation or seroma
- Fat necrosis or skin loss
- Blood clots, deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary complications
- Residual or recurrent skin laxity
- Umbilical loss if the operative plan requires it
- Persistent upper-abdominal laxity
This list is not exhaustive. The risks relevant to the proposed treatment are discussed during consultation and again before informed consent.
Consultation with Dr. Elahi
A consultation with Dr. Elahi is an assessment of anatomy, goals, alternatives, scars, recovery, risk and whether treatment is appropriate. It does not create an obligation to proceed.