What are the risks and current mortality rates for a fleur de lis abdominoplasty? (photos)

The amount of tummy flattening obtainable with a Tummy Tuck is VERY dependent on both the amount of muscle separation and stretch (number of pregnancies, size of the babies, obesity etc) AND on just how tight the muscles are brought together DURING the surgery.Just like in cooking, every surgeon does things a little differently thereby affecting the overall result.To see just how tight the AFTER result is, you must ask to see after results with the woman in a Diver's pose. ALL women know what that means because the vast majority have done it in front of a mirror; Face the mirror sideways, bend at the waist with your arms forward as if you are jumping into a pool AND RELAX the muscles. Doing it BEFORE the Tummy Tuck reveals the extent of abdominal wall looseness - doing it ADTERward demonstrates just how tight the muscles were brought in. Every living and breathing woman (and man) knows how to "tighten" their tummy by sucking it in and this is prevalent in both before and especially in AFTER photos. But, the Diver's photos cut through the nonsense and pretense and show just how much flattening was accomplished.In my opinion and obviously an exam would be important, you do NOT appear to benefit from a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck. A "full" Tummy Tuck with Liposuction of the lower back and flanks should deliver a nice result.Peter Aldea MDMemphis, TN

At least from your photos, you don't appear to have so much horizontal excess skin that a true fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty would be necessary. The downward pull of a traditional abdominoplasty might be enough to remove the excess without a long up-and-down incision. Obviously, your surgeon has the benefit of actually examining you and is recommending that procedure for a reason.As far as mortality, as long as you're healthy you shouldn't have more to worry about than anyone else. If mortality were a real problem with abdominoplasties, no one would do them.