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Feur-de-lis TT or Almost the Same Results with a Regular Horizontal, Hip-to-hip Incision? (photo)

I have a fleur-de-lis & medial thigh lift scheduled for Sep. I’m 28,185lbs & 5’9. Loss of 140lbs(325-heavest). I've maintained for 2years. I don’t mind a vertical scar… as long as it is worth the trade off. Also, I’ve been a smoker for years, but stopped July 23,2012 (7 weeks before appt.) in prep for this surgery. Also,with the thigh lift I only plan to have the scars extend 1/3 down my leg and have not seen many pics. of this. Links? Input, advice, suggestions?

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by bluestar in Raleigh, NC

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Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with thigh lift

It does not appear from your photos that you have enough horizontal laxity to warant the additional vertical scar of a fleur-de-lis procedure. Also I am hesitant to suggest that a thigh lift in conjunction with a tummy tuck is a good idea. My concerns are two-fold: 1) blood clots (deep vein thrombosis; DVT) can develope after any surgery and can travel to the lungs causing the serious complication of a pulmonary embolism. DVT's are most likely to... more

Abdominoplasty

The addition of a vertical scar would be aimed at maximizing the tightening of the abdomen that requires it in multiple directions, horizontal as well as vertical. It appears that the standard lower abdominal incision may work sufficiently for you but be sure to question your surgeon on this specific point prior to your procedure. I hope this information is helpful.

Avoid Feur-de-lis tummy tuck

From your photographs, I recommend a transverse incision only, you do not need the vertical component. I recommend undergoing an abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. There are recent articles publishes in Plastic and Reconstructive Journal about this technique which results in weight loss and helps patients maintain the reduced weight. I would not do the thigh lift at the same time due to the prolonged duration of surgery. Best Wishes, Gary Horndeski, M.D. more

Fleur de Lys v/s standard abdominoplasty

With just pictures and not feeling the skin laxity it is difficult to make a final jugement. From the pictures alone a standard incision that would go from one hip to the other should do, but be prepared for a dog ear revision. It is not a complication but the surgeon with so much tissue and laxity is unable to have perfect measurements. As far as the thigh lift If the whole thing can be done under 5 hours then OK with protection from DVT. If an overnight admission is required then... more

Hello

From your pictures that you have posted for us it does not look that you actually need a vertical scar to get great results. A typical Tummy tuck would give you good results as well and your able to hide the scar nicely since you are only 28 years old. i would make sure and talk to your PS and make sure you get all your questions answered.

Tummy tuck on a smoking patient not a good idea

I'm afraid that I am going to spoil your plans. MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS YOUR SAFETY. You have planned a very long and extensive operation and you admit to a long smoking history. Your risk of potential post-operative complications is very high including DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and skin slough or death. Smoking interferes with the blood supply to the abdominal flap and permanently damages small to medium blood vessels that keep the skin alive. Even if you stop... more

Tummy Tuck and Thigh Lift--Limit Surgery & Increase Safety

When undergoing body contour surgery, assuring safety to prevent severe complications, such as blood clots in the legs or pelvis, is most important. That's why I would not choose to perform both a tummy tuck and thigh lift at the same time. Regarding the tummy tuck, a midline vertical incision is added only when the amount of looseness of the abdominal skin in a horizontal direction requires removal of skin to tighten skin side to side. More commonly, the tightening is done... more

Benefits of Vertical Abdominoplasty Scar?

I see little benefit based on your photos of adding the vertical scar to your abdominoplasty. While some additional tightening is obtained with the vertical excision, I think the trade-off of the scar may not be worth it. Patients who benefit by the fleur-de-lis approach in my experience have a lot more extra skin and abdominal rolls than you do. As for the thigh lift, your pictures alone are not enough to comment on the value of the addition of the vertical inner thigh scar as opposed to... more

Do I need a vertical tummy tuck scar?

One of the nice things about Tummy Tucks is that the scar is low and horizontal and relatively easy to hide with clothing. Once you add the vertical component, you can never hide that scar. So, I would not undergo a fleur-de-lis unless absolutely necessary. There are also increased problems with wound healing due to blood flow issues and in a smoker those problems are compounded. In San Antonio, most of the patients we see do just fine with the traditional... more

Fleur de lis vs. horizontal TT

Thank you for your question. I'll have to concur with the majority of the previous opinions, as I don't think that you need the vertical component to get a good result. I'd say that in your case, a classical TT with do it for you.

When do you need a Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck

I agree with others here that you do not seem to need a vertical component. Your pictures show a vertical excess, there doesn't seem to be enough horizontal excess to warrant a pretty visible vertical scar. Based on your pictures you look like an average tummy tuck patient who gets a very nice result using only a horizontal scar. Although your pictures are not a replacement for a physical examination, looking at your thighs I wonder whether a thigh lift will make a big difference... more

Abdominoplasty and thigh lift advice after weight loss

Hi there, Your body after 140lb deflation is well above average, and it looks likely that your skin elasticity is maintained. I'm sure as you can be without actually examining you that you don't need a fleur-de-lis incision pattern to achieve an excellent result. The question is your back and flanks. They look as though the skin is reasonably elastic and not jelly like. It also looks like you have no buttock droop. Most patients with your degree of weight loss... more

Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck only for significant horizontal skin excess

Thank you for your question and photographs. First of all, congratulations on your weight loss and quitting smoking. You have accomplished a tremendous amount and have dramatically improved your health. Great job! Don't just quit smoking for the surgery; quit for good. Although an exam is best for determining what procedure is best for you, based on your photographs, I would do a standard tummy tuck on you as I don't feel that the vertical scar from a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck would be... more

Feur-de-lis TT or Almost the Same Results with a Regular Horizontal, Hip-to-hip Incision?

Dear Bluestar, Thank you for the photos which are a great help. While nothing can actually replace an examination, from your photos, it appears that most of your excess tissues are in a vertical plane and not horizontal. If you had a significant amount of horizontal excess, then a fleur-de-lis pattern would be recommended but because your excess is mostly vertical, I believe you would obtain a very nice result with an extended abdominoplasty which will have a longer... more

Vertical incision probably not needed

Hello, Thank you for the question and the photos. The vertical incision of a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is designed to reduce horizontal abdominal laxity. As you can see from your photos the majority of your laxity is vertically oriented. The amount of laxity that you have horizontally at the level of your belly button and above is much less and with your hip being wider than your abdomen above the belly button that amount of horizontal laxity will be taken up naturally.... more

Feur-de-lis TT

Tummy Tuck: With the amount of skin excess I see, I think you will have a better contour with a vertical incision to remove the horizontal skin excess. If you absolutely opposed a vertical scar, you would certainly get a lot of improvement with the standard TT, but not as much. Thigh lift: I am not seeing good enough photos to evaluate the incision choice. One thing I would suggest is that you stand in front of a mirror and pull up on your abdominal skin... more