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Would a Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck Be Best for Me?

asked 2 years ago by moosie1234 in USA
Latest answer by Peter A. Aldea, MD
Question viewed 3,769 times
Tags: age 45-54, abdomen, loose, skin

I will be 53 in a few months. I've been obese most of my adult life. I've lost 155 lbs via diet and exercise. I'm left with a lot of loose, saggy skin above and below my belly button. A surgeon suggested I have a Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck. The more I read, the more I think it might give me the best end results, a tight tummy, no rolls, no "muffin top" and nothing hanging when I bend or sit.

Is my thought process on the right track? Would you recommend a traditional tummy tuck or Fleur-de-lis for me? Thanks!

13 answers to Would a Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck Be Best for Me?

Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck

It depends on you. Allow me to explain. Weight loss leaves people with DIFFERENT PATTERNS of skin excess. The operation needs to be tailored around YOUR particular skin excess and wishes. Both a Fleur de Lis and lower body lift (belt) would do the job on the front; the advantage of the Fleur de Lis is that in exchange for a midline vertical scar a lot of skin excess in the front can be flattened WITHOUT having to go all the way around. On the other hand, if you have a sagging bottom you... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Options

Congrats on your weight loss. In my practice I do see quite a bit of massive weight loss patients and what I do have to say is that it depends. A photo would help, but an exam is even better. I have had patients who have lost 120, 140 lbs and done fine with a tradition tummy tuck and have had some that needed a body lift, which is circumferential and have had some need the fleur de lis. So it just depends on where you have lost the weight and how much skin laxity you have in the... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck.

Hi! I have written about the fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, and I think it is a great, safe operation for someone like you. A conventional tummy tuck wil not work. Either the feur-de-lis, or a body lift. And congratulations on the weight loss!

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

The Abdominoplasty using the Fleur-de-lis is very effective

The key for anyone considering abdominoplasty is to have a great Plastic Surgeon whom can direct you as to what procedure in their hands would give you the best result,. The doctor patient relationship is so important in achieving you individual goals. Many plastic surgeons do the abdominoplasty, some do the Fleur-DE-lis and some prefer the lower body lift. It can only really be determined by your plastic surgeon which would be best for you after they examine you thoroughly.... more

Charles Perry, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Fleur de lis tummy tucks after massive weight loss

A tummy tuck with both vertical and horizontal incisions (fleur de lis) is often the best way to tighten the abdomen after massive weight loss because it maximizes the amount of skin that can be removed and the tightening that can be obtained. Good luck!!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is very effective after weight loss

After massive weight loss there are many 'patterns' that are used to remove the excess skin and contour the abdomen. Frequently a belt line dermolipectomy is used. With this procedure the excess skin in the waist abdomen and buttock is removed and tailored by a reduction scar line which goes all around the waist front to back. The benefit is a reduction and lift which includes buttock, the side of the thigh, abdomen, and to some extent the inner thigh. The pull or lift in this pattern can... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck may be right for you

Hi Moosie, Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty definitely has a role in body contouring, particularly in patients like you who have lost large amounts of weight. With this procedure, you can definitely remove more excess skin, but it comes at a cost of more scarring and more wound healing complications. A reasonable thing to do would be to obtain consultation with more than one board-certified plastic surgeon. You'll be amazed at the wide range of opinions you'll find. It's very reasonable to... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Fleur-de-lis is very effective

It is hard to recommend any one type of tummy tuck procedure with out seeing you and talking to you about your goals and desires. As a general practice I use a Fleur-de-lis when there is already a mid line scar from a prior surgery. This extended tummy tuck helps to reduce the extra skin laxity and brings in the waist line better than a standard tummy tuck. If you want to avoid the mid line scar and you have lot of skin laxity on the side then I would consider a circumferential tummy tuck... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Can You Post a Photo ?

Hard to say without seeing you ! Cases 3, 5, and 6 at http://www.drlomonaco.com/forwlp.htm are all paients with a lot of upper abdominal skin excess who I did NOT use a vertical incision on. A vertical incision does help narrow the waist but adds a lot more scar, plus potential healing problems where the three incisions come together.

John LoMonaco, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.DrLoMonaco.com

Fleur-de-lis

There is simply no way to answer this question without a physican examination. Your description is certainly on par with those who are candidates for a fleur-de-lis, but only a physical exam can determine whether or not this is right for you. Fleur-de-lis is a great adjunct to traditional tummy tuck in those with significant upper abdominal skin laxity. The only draw-back is the long midline scar. If your surgeon has recommended this to you and you are willing to accept the trade-off of... more

Elan B. Singer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Pros and Cons of Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck

Hello, A "Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck" is a tummy tuck in which there is a vertical incision (and later a scar) to take in some of the extra skin in the lower abdomen. These are good and bad. They do allow more skin to be removed allowing tightening especially in extreme weight loss patients.) They also interrupt the circulation more than the alternative procedure increasing the chances for poor wound healing and skin loss (skin necrosis.) It is your surgeon's judgment as to the... more

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Fleur-de-lis the right kind on tummy tuck after 155lb weight loss?

Hi Moosie1234, It sounds like good thinking. It is hard to say definitively without seeing a picture and, ideally, examining you. Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is good when you have a lot of skin excess in the horizontal dimension; the traditional part of the tummy tuck will take care of the vertical skin excess. Be sure your plastic surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. It is also helpful to talk to other patients and look at before and after pictures so you... more