5 years post-op - Should I have had a FDL tummy tuck instead of an extended one? (Photos)

Thank you for a question regarding what to do with the excess skin and abdominal fat area after having a tummy tuck. And thank you for your question regarding what to do in terms of having either an extended tummy tuck her fleur-de-lis examine your abdomen above the belly button. Most of your excess skin and fat is in the vertical dimension. That means skin and fat can be mostly bunched up when the skin is pinched in an east-west fashion creating an up-and-down vertical scar. You do not have much excess skin and fat below the belly button. You do not have much excess skin and fat in any horizontal dimension when you pinch the skin from north to south. Therefore, in my opinion, you have three options. You could have a vertical abdominoplasty. Has made from the bottom of the sternum or‘s iPhone to the belly button and then to the Mons for the pubic region. This would eliminate excess skin in front of your tummy. Another option could be a reverse tummy tuck, or an incision is made underneath each breast. Any extra-abdominal skin is pulled upward towards your breast and permanently eliminated. Another option is a bilateral lateral vertical torsoplasty for an incision to be made down the side of your torso. Extend from just underneath the bra line down to your waistline. This would also eliminate excess skin in front of your upper abdomen.
The benefit of the last two options is if the scars are hidden and are not visible on your abdomen—a disadvantage of the vertical tummy tuck. You do not need the fleur-de-lis abdominal plasty because you’ve already had the horizontal component. As you know, the verticals are the fleur-de-lis or FDL abdominoplasty has a vertical and horizontal member. Again, I don’t think you need a horizontal component. Therefore, in my opinion, you do not need the extended tummy tuck or the fleur-de-lis. It would help if you had a vertical tummy tuck, reverse tummy time, or bilateral lateral. Good luck. I hope this helps.

If you have any more questions regarding a tummy tuck, lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 tummy tuck or circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, tummy tuck or lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

To address significant loose skin above the belly button a FDL incision may be needed. If you still have loose skin in this area after your tummy tuck you could consider a revision to correct it. I encourage you to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation to determine recommendations to address your current concerns.