Also called a pannus stomach, a “mother’s apron” belly refers to excess skin and fat that hangs down from the abdomen, resembling an apron. This condition can occur after pregnancy or significant weight fluctuations and often causes uncomfortable symptoms such as chafing or skin irritation, along with emotional distress.
Learn more about this condition and the various treatment options available in this quick guide.
How Does an “Apron Belly” Develop?
An apron belly can form when skin is stretched during pregnancy or when visceral fat expands under your abdominal muscles due to significant weight gain . This creates a fold of skin that hangs downward, similar to wearing an apron. The size of a pannus or apron belly can vary greatly and will play a role in determining the best treatment method.
Apron Belly Treatment Options
There are apron belly treatment options to sculpt your stomach, including:
- Diet and exercise. If weight gain is the issue, making healthy diet and exercise adjustments can be incredibly helpful in order to address visceral fat below your abdominal muscles. Sometimes milder cases of apron belly can be improved with diet and exercise but not to the extent that they can be with a surgical procedure.
- Surgical procedures. A surgical procedure such as a tummy tuck or panniculectomy will be the most effective treatments overall for an apron belly.
For more information about your apron belly treatment options or to schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons, call our Sacramento office at 916-983-9895 or contact us online.
