Please help! FDL or Circular Tummy Tuck? (Photo)

Hi there and thank you for your question regarding whether you need a fluer de lis or a circumferential lower body lift. First of all, congratulations on an extraordinary weight loss. That's incredible and takes so much hard work and discipline. I've heard many success stories similar to yours from my patients over the years. It's always so exciting to see someone so close to the end of their weight loss journey.

By examining your photos, I think you'd greatly benefit from the 360 lower body lift (with muscle plication). This would address the tummy, hips, and buttocks. This can be combined with a thigh lift and reduction if you wish. The thigh lift includes liposuction of the inner thigh. An incision is then made from the groin down to the knee (on the inseam of where your pants would be).

If you choose to come back for the upper body, you'd benefit from a vertical torsoplasty. The incision would go down your sides and it would get rid of back rolls. This can be combined with a brachioplasty or arm lift and reduction (with liposuction).

I hope this helps to answer your question regarding what type of tummy tuck would be best after your massive weight loss. Congratulations again!

I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss. If you have any more questions regarding the 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 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, 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.)

Congratulations on the progress on your journey. There are a number of options and pro's and con's to each, though on preliminary assessment just from your photos a FDL abdominoplasty and staged upper body lift might be appealing to you. Be sure to see a body contouring plastic surgeon with experience after massive weight loss.

Wow! Congratulations on your impressive weight loss! Due to the amount of skin laxity you will likely need to stage your procedures. You have redundant skin on the upper abdomen that would be best addressed with a FDL incision. The excess skin on your back and lower body may be addressed in a separate stage. I've included a video I hope you find helpful.