HELP!! my DR. is recommending a 'fleur de lys' (vertical) abdominoplasty. Has anyone had one? Or have any info/advise, I've looked it up on google but not a whole lot of info on it. Doesn't seem too popular, I have a lypoma on my upper stomach, that will be removed at the same time (its starting to stick out). Thats the reason for this style of surgery, sounds kind of hard core though? :wub:

A "fleur-de-lis" involves a vertical (up and down) incision in the midline, in addition to the traditional abdominoplasty incision. It allows better contouring of the abdomen because it allows the surgeon to remove skin "side to side" in addition to "up and down". The result is a slimmer waistline and better shape. The tradeoff is a lone visible scar in the midline.

It is a great operation for the following people:

1. people who had a prior abdominal surgery and already have a midline incision.

2. people with massive amounts of skin which might result in a "boxy" midsection after a traditional abdominoplasty incision.

3. people who want the optimum contour and shape, and are not concerned with scarring.

Regarding body contouring after weight loss, there is always a balance between achieving the optimum shape and minimizing visible scarring.

To see an example on my website of a woman who had significant skin, a midline incision from an open gastric bypass, and underwent a procedure with a midline incision, go to "Lower Body Lift" | Madison Avenue Plastic Surgery She is only 6 weeks post operative, so her scars will continue to fade over the next several weeks.

I am having an extended TT with a vertical t-inciscion. As Dr. Schulman mentioned in his post the reason for mine is because I have massive amounts of skin that would not be able to be pulled tight enough if they just pulled straight down. My PS said that I would most likely not be happy with a traditional TT because I would end up with ZERO figure and might actually end up with rolls off to the side. For me I NEVER plan on wearing a bikini so the vertical scar is very much a price I am willing to pay to not have all this excess skin. I carried all of my weight in my stomach area and she said there was no way she could remove all the skin without the vertical incision.

I too had a hard time trying to find pictures, but I was glad that Dr. Schulman posted that link. I am going to go look there as soon as I finish this. My doc said it would be hard to find before and after pics online because it is not a common procedure and that most docs post their "best" pictures in their portfolios, and a vertical incision often scares people because it is visible. However, for me the trade off will be so worth it. I am not sure when you are having your surgery (or want to schedule it) but I am having mine on July 3 and will be posting pictures!

Hope you find your answers. Thank you Dr. Schulman for the description and the link. It really is helpful to those of us who are having the rarer form of abdominoplasty!

Thank you for the information. Dr. Schulman, the lady on your website looks great! She must be estatic with the results. Good luck Salsa with your surgery. I'll look forward to the pics!

One of my coworkers had it done last year. She had a gastric bypass in 2005 and lost 180 pounds. She now weighs about 150....so you can only imagine how much extra there was. Since she had sooo much extra skin she had the fleur de lis. I basically looks like an anchor. She has the hip to hip cut and the vertical cut. She is extremely happy with the results...but to be honest the vertical scar is NOT pretty.

One of my coworkers had it done last year. She had a gastric bypass in 2005 and lost 180 pounds. She now weighs about 150....so you can only imagine how much extra there was. Since she had sooo much extra skin she had the fleur de lis. I basically looks like an anchor. She has the hip to hip cut and the vertical cut. She is extremely happy with the results...but to be honest the vertical scar is NOT pretty.

It has to be prettier than my Jabba-the-Hut Belly. At least when I look down at the scar my mind will not automatically think that I still weigh 250 pounds. My excess skin makes me look WORSE than I did when I was fat. It is very mentally taxing. They could cut me open with a chain saw :scared2:but if I don't have 2 flabby rolls...I will be happy:w00t:

Well I've had my TT surgery and couldn't be more thrilled. I've included pics as promised,I feel great and looking forward to my breast reduction/lift.:drool:

Wow - your PS did a great job! What a difference. Hope all is going well!

K

Great results Trudy. Thanks for posting the pictures. You must be so happy and proud. Good luck with your recovery.

You look terrific!!!!!!!!! I can't believe the difference. Amazing.

Thank you all for the wonderful comments. I really appreciate it.

Trudy,

Thank you for posting. I too will be having the vertical incision and it is nice to finally see someone that has had it to. Now I know what to expect!

Thank you for sharing your pictures. They are very hard to come by when you are trying to make a decision as to which type of TT to get. I believe I will also do the Vertical becaue your results were great. What was your recovery time before you could return to work?

Tammy

I am a male and had this as I lost around 9 stones and it was definately needed otherwise my new belly button would still have sagged. It is now over 6 months post op and the scars are starting to fade. I guess for a guy the scars, especially the vertical one are not as much of an issue as they can look 'macho'. I do think it's best to lose as much weight as possible before having a tummy tuck as it is likely to sag if you lose anymore weight post op.