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A panniculus is a large thick layer of fat that is found in the abdominal region of people who are obese. If you are of normal weight you should not have a panniculus present, but it is something you may have heard about.
What is Panniculus?
Although most commonly associated with obesity, a panniculus can sometimes develop due to weight gain in pregnancy. The problem with a panniculus is that not only is it unsightly but it can cause additional health problems.
It can cause the skin to chafe and various infections to develop where the skin is folded over onto the abdomen. In cases of extreme morbid obesity, a panniculus can even extend to the knees. It makes it difficult to keep the skin clean, which leads to a buildup of bacterial and fungal infections on the skin which can develop into dangerous, ulcerous infections. Good hygiene can be difficult to maintain which leads to the increased risk of ulcers and other skin infections.
The panniculus often does not go away even with exercise and diet changes, and often surgical intervention becomes necessary. It is also important that not only the fat is removed, but also the extra skin that remains.
The best strategy is to avoid developing a panniculus in the first place.
Even pregnant women can do some exercise, but should consult with their doctor first. It is also important to understand that removing a panniculus is not the same thing as a tummy tuck procedure. A tummy tuck is not performed on people who are very obese and, in fact, being very obese makes any type of surgery much more dangerous. Complications from surgery are increased and there are also often chronic health issues such as heart disease and diabetes in people who are obese.
Very obese people should seek advice from their doctor and they can also investigate potential bariatric surgery options. However, even bariatric centers usually require their patients to commit to changing their diet and exercising before having bariatric surgery done.
Who can get a tummy tuck?
If you do have extra fat on your belly that you cannot get rid of even with a change in diet and exercise, a tummy tuck may be for you. Your best option is to consult with a specialist at a clinic that has experience in performing tummy tucks. A consultation can give you information on whether or not you qualify and what all is involved in the procedure. To get any type of surgery, including a tummy tuck, you have to have to be relatively healthy.
The important role of diet and exercise
Regardless of whether or not you get a tummy tuck or liposuction done, you need to still work hard to adjust your diet and to exercise more. This is the only way for you to stay healthy in the future. Exercise does not have to be strenuous and diet can be changed gradually; you can ask your doctor for advice on how to go about modifying your lifestyle.
