Panniculectomy: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services for difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, fainting, severe confusion, or bleeding that does not stop with the measures your team provided.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Contact your surgical team promptly if you have worsening redness, warmth, swelling, pain, pus, an opening incision, or a fever that meets the threshold in your discharge instructions.

   Also call if a drain stops working, falls out, develops foul-smelling fluid, or suddenly produces much more blood.

   Seek urgent assessment for new pain or swelling in one leg, especially in the calf.

   Mention them at follow-up, or call sooner if they are increasing rather than improving.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Mild swelling, bruising, tightness, numbness, and small amounts of drain fluid are often part of routine recovery.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Panniculectomy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.