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Is It Common for Belt Lipectomy with Fleur De Lys Abdominoplasty?

Hi, I'm 28 y/o female. Had lap-band in 2005 and down to 170 lbs from highest weight of 316 lbs. I am looking into different surgeries and have had two consultations with board certified plastic surgeons. One surgeon recommended belt lipectomy only and the other said to include Fleur de lys abdominoplasty. Is this normal to do both procedures at the same time? I was a little nervous about the scarring with the Fleur de lys but all in all if it gives better results then scars are my last worry

Doctor Answers 7

Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck and belt lipectomy

March 18th, 2013
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It sure is confusing, trying to figure out what's going to give the best result, what is safe, and which surgeon to use.  Is a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck common when doing a belt lipectomy?  Not really, but that doesn't mean that it's uncommon either.   Sometimes adding the vertical incision (and resulting scar) adds quite a bit to the result on the abdomen.  Try this:  with your left hand, pinch as much of the loose skin as you can between your belly button and your pubic area together.  While doing that, with your right hand pinch, in a side-to-side manner, as much skin together as you can just above your belly button.  If you're able to pinch quite a bit of skin together with your right hand while doing this maneuver, a fleur-de-lis might improve your result.  A fleur-de-lis does add some time to the surgery and probably increases the risk of problems healing the incision, but the benefit might be impressive.  That's why visiting with reputable surgeons is important.  You will certainly receive different opinions as to what is likely to create the best result.  Make sure to ask lots of questions during your visits.  Ultimately it's your choice.  The benefits versus the risks.  The fleur-de-lis can create some substantial improvements in the results, but they're a little more involved.  Common with a belt lipectomy?  Not exactly, but it may enhance the result tremendously in an appropriate patient.

Kelly R. Kunkel, MD


Fort Worth Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 20 reviews

Significant weight loss incisions

March 28th, 2013
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To truly answer this I would need to examine you.  The first consideration for you is whether you trust your surgeon.  If you do then they may be offering you good advice.  Many very experienced surgeons use this technique.
I would rarely suggest the Fleur-de-lis to my patients.  The time I would consider it is if vertical scar (laparotomy incision) is already present from other surgeries.  If that is not the case I would typically advise patients to have a circumferential body lift instead of the Fleur-de-lis.  My strong personal preference is slightly less tight contouring but a scar hidden in your bikini.  That being said if you may have too much excess skin your surgeon may be correct.  At the end of the day it is a personal choice that you must make:  tighter contour and visible scar or slightly looser but hidden scars.
Also, with significant weight loss people often have loose skin in the buttock, lateral thigh, and back.  This is corrected with the circumferential lift.
Dr Rodger Shortt
Plastic Surgeon Oakville
Rodger Shortt, FRCSC

Rodger Shortt, FRCSC
Toronto Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 45 reviews

Cosmetic Surgery is an Art and a Science

March 16th, 2013
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Your condition can only be evaluated with an exam. Many post weight loss do better with an extended TT even though there is more scar. You trade it for the enhanced result. Discuss this in your consultations.Thomas Narsete, M.D.

Thomas A. Narsete, MD

Thomas A. Narsete, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 6 reviews

Body lift

March 15th, 2013
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The horizantal scar in the abdominoplasty is indicated whaen there is lots of excess skin horizantally. the verical scar removes excess skin in the vertical direction and gives more definition to the waist in those with excess skin verical.

Extending the tummy tuck to the back tighten the back and the buttoc is lifted.

Cobining these procedures is too much surgery and the risks of blood clots and healing problems can be increased. Recovery is more difficult and also you want the surgeon to take time to do the best that can be achievedand not hurry through the surgery.

Samir Shureih, MD

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 6 reviews

Fleur de Lis and Belt Lipectomy

March 13th, 2013
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    I would get several opinions on the need for the vertical scar.  I think that I would ask the surgeon about the experience with performing all of those procedures together.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Web reference: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/tummy-tuck-photo-galleries.php

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 441 reviews

Is It Common for Belt Lipectomy with Fleur De Lis Abdominoplasty?

March 13th, 2013
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I would not personally recommend that combination for one setting. Among other reasons, the fleur-de-lis will tighten the back to a large extent, and you may not require more back tightening. 

Without photos, I can't comment on the choice of procedures, but with the amount of weight loss you have had, it would not be a surprise if that were an excellent option. 

All the best. 

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD

How much to do in one day of plastic surgery??

March 13th, 2013
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There can be too much planned for one day for safety, prevention of blood clots etc.  An anchor tummy tuck is plenty for one day and the vertical scar is better IF you have too much skin to get a nice result with just a horizontal scar.  I would personally NOT do anything to your back the same day.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.