Can a LBL and an FDL be performed together? (Photo)

Question

I have lost 162 pounds to date. I’m 5’11 and 183 pounds. I’m 40 years old. I have loose and flabby skin both vertically and horizontally. I have skin on my back and beneath my buttocks that needs lifted.

Dean Trotter, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

Yes, you can.  However, it's something that is not commonly required.  You're correct that if you have a lot of horizontal excess a FDL may be required, however in your case your redundancy is mainly vertical.  You do have some weakness of your muscles with a diastasis which will add to your vertical excess once repaired but I think you'll achieve excellent results with a body lift.  A body lift without a FDL has big advantages, particularly reduced complications, less healing time and avoiding a permanent vertical scar (which can be unsightly).  I suggest you consult an experienced board certified plastic surgeon for an in person opinion.  They can examine your laxity and talk you through the pros and cons of your specific options.Kind regards,Dean

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi BettyPie om Indianapolis, 
Thank you for your question regarding whether a LBL and a FDL can be performed together. Thank you for your history and your pictures. Congratulations on your 162-pound weight loss! Great job. Let us clarify that LBL stands for lower body lift and FDL stands for fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty.
Now let’s look at what the lower body lift (LBL) entails. The lower body lift entails a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, abdominis rectus muscle plication, pubic or mons lift and reduction, hip lift and reduction, and buttock lift and reduction. A lower body lift results in an incision that goes 360° circumferentially around your body. Indeed, some plastic surgeons term the 360-degree circumferential lower body lift a belt lipectomy. This is because the incision goes around you like a belt.
Now, let’s look at what the fleur-de-lis (FDL) includes. The fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty includes a horizontal abdominoplasty, a vertical abdominoplasty, abdominis rectus plication, and a pubic or mons lift and reduction. The fleur-de-lis abdominal plasty does not include a hip lift and reduction, nor a buttock lift and reduction.
Therefore, when you combine the lower body lift and a fleur-de-lis, there is a lot of overlay.
Including a fleur-de-lis to a lower body lift just adds the vertical component. The vertical incision extends from the top of the pubic region to the bottom of the sternum. The lower body lift and the fleur-de-lis are often performed together. This leads to a dramatic reconstruction of the anterior abdominal wall, especially after massive weight loss.
In regards to the excess skin on your back, I would suggest a horizontal torsoplasty. I would suggest this be performed at a separate surgery after the lower body lift and fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty.  A horizontal torsoplasty is also called a bra strap lift and is made with an incision that goes horizontally across your back. Typically, the incision is hidden under a bra.  I hope that I helped to answer your question about whether a lower body lift (LBL) and a fleur-de-lis (FDL) can be performed together. Good luck.
Sincerely, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS,  FICS, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss, it is a wonderful achievement!Based on your current photos you will be a great candidate for Royal Lower Body Lift-Fleur de Lis: which will include in my hands: 360 Tummy Tuck in order to get rid of the saggy skin on your abdomen and love-handles, pubic lift, Muscle repair to achieve a smaller waist, outer thigh lift, Real Buttocks lift, some liposuction to waist and love-handles and use that fat to transfer to buttocks and a bit to hips (it will not be much but may create a nice shape). The Fleur de Lis  FDL(vertical incision over the midline) will be needed to tighten the extra skin you have developed on the width because LBL will only remove the excess of length. If for any reason you do not agree with the FDL,We may try to do first the LBL and see if that result is enough for you. If not, you may have the FDL later. 
Be encouraged!!!
*Dr. Cardenas

Nick Masri, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question, BettyPie. Congratulations on your weight loss!
To answer your question, yes, those two procedures can be performed together. In fact, a tummy tuck is one of the components of a lower body lift.
And based on your photos, it looks like you would benefit from a lower body lift with an FDL tummy tuck component.
The best thing to do is to consult a reputable and board-certified plastic surgeon so that he can personally evaluate you and give you recommendations to help you achieve the body you want. I offer free consultations that you may schedule on my website.
Best of luck!

Peter Fisher, MD (retired) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Congratulations on your weight loss. The answer to your question is yes. They can be performed together which I do a small percentage of the time. In your case I personally don’t believe that you will need the FDL. What I tell my patients if unsure that I will make the decision in the operating room. You need to see a plastic surgeon who specializes in post massive weight loss body contouring.Peter Fisher M.D

Can a LBL and an FDL be performed together? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Lower body lift and fleur de lis tummy tuck

Answer: Lower body lift and fleur de lis tummy tuck

Answer: Can an lbl and fdl be performed together?

Answer: Can an lbl and fdl be performed together?

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Can a LBL and an FDL be performed together? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Lower body lift and fleur de lis tummy tuck

Answer: Lower body lift and fleur de lis tummy tuck

Answer: Can an lbl and fdl be performed together?

Answer: Can an lbl and fdl be performed together?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Body Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.