Tummy Tuck verses FDL Tummy Tuck?

Question

I had a tummy tuck 10 weeks ago. I have now been seeing my Dr because he removed 11 pounds of skin from my stomach, I also had Muscle repair and lipo. I still have excess skin now and it is getting even more worse since the swelling is going down. I have been talking to my Dr about him doing a FDL incision to pull me in for better results, when I sit I still have a loose roll that goes over my jeans. I am not 100% happy with this. I did have Gastric sleeve 2 years ago and lost 100lbs.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your surgery, you have obtained a very nice result. I see your area of concern and with most massive weight loss patients - those individuals losing >100lbs it is common to have to perform a FDL abdominoplasty to remove horizontal skin excess tightening the appearance of the stomach further.  There is a tradeoff in that there is an incision placed from the breast bone to the lower pelvis that many patients are lax to incur unless already having one present from bypass surgery.  I do think that you would benefit from the vertical incision but allow your current results to mature over the next 6 months to a year before considering a revision.  Hope that this helps.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Based on your before and after photos I would say you have achieved good results. You can consider a   Fleur-De-Lis Abdominoplasty approach however, you need to wait at least 6 months to a full year. Regards,

Reza Rod, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your photos. I believe you have had a remarkable transformation. Congratulations on the weight loss and a nice tummy tuck result. It is tough to say without a physical exam, but losing 100 lbs will definitely create laxity in the skin. I believe it is worth exploring the Fleur-De-Lis Abdominoplasty approach, but you need to wait at least 6 months to a full year before another surgery. Make sure that you are in the care of a Plastic Surgeon that is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If you are comfortable with your surgeon, it's best to follow his recommendations, as he is the most familiar with your case. At this point I would be proud of how far you've come. 10 weeks is still too early to seek secondary surgery.Congratulations again and good luck.

Seth Eberlin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your weight loss.  Without doing a physical exam it is difficult to say with 100% confidence what would be the best option for you, but based on your pictures it looks like you still have some laxity in your skin in both vertical and horizontal dimensions.  This can sometimes be remedied with a fleur de lis tummy tuck.  The fleur de lis procedure tightens in the vertical dimension by taking out a horizontally oriented piece of skin, but it also tightens in the horizontal dimension by taking out a vertically oriented piece of skin.  This can help improve your overall shape by bringing in your waist and giving you more of an hourglass figure.However, because you're only 10 weeks out from surgery I would recommend you wait until you're 6 months postoperative to undergo any revisions.  I know that waiting isn't a fun thing to do, but it will allow your tissues to heal and it will allow for the swelling to completely resolve.  Once these two things have happened, I'd recommend that you are re-evaluated by your surgeon.  At that time you may be a great candidate for a fleur de lis tummy tuck.Good luck with the rest of your recovery!Dr. Seth

John Dean, MD · Answer

I think that your surgeon did a fantastic job on you and your result so far are great.  You had the vertical skin excess removed and invariably there will still be some horizontal skin laxity.  A few patients will procede to have a secondary skin resection through a vertical incision but you will only be able to tell if this is necessary after recovering for at least 6 months.

Victor M. Perez, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on the limited information obtained from your post, it appears that you have a very good result.A plastic surgeon can perform surgery, no miracles.It looks like you still have some work to do, you did not posted your height and weight, but appears that your BMI is pretty high, you need to work on getting in the best possible shape, and allow your body to fully recover after surgery, a process that takes 6-18 months.you may need revisions, and if you choose to have a FDL surgery, you will have a midline scar, that may not be as nice as the horizontal scar you have now ( or as easy to conceal )

Peter Fisher, MD (retired) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Congratulations on your weight loss. Your result really looks excellent. You need to wait at least 6 months before making any further decisions. You may also then get a second opinion from a ps specializing in post massive weight loss body contouring. Peter Fisher M.D

Tummy Tuck verses FDL Tummy Tuck?

Answers (7)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Tummy tuck incision opening, white inside! HELP (photos)

I am having a lower body lift that includes a tummy tuck; would it be important for me to wear a Fajas compression garment?

How do you decide where to place a tummy tuck scar?

No Lipo during tummy tuck; why?

Tummy tuck drain is still dark red after 2 weeks. Will doctor take them out anyway?

What vitamins should you stop taking before surgery?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS