Post Weight Loss FAQs – Your Questions Answered About Post Weight Loss Procedures
Belt Lipectomy Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reduce swelling after a belt lipectomy?
Most swelling after a lipectomy is usually gone within 6 weeks after your procedure. Drainage tubes and compression garments help reduce post-belt lipectomy swelling and decrease the risk of seroma formation.
How do you sleep after a belt lipectomy?
Sleeping after a belt lipectomy can be uncomfortable at first. Generally, after a belt lipectomy, you should sleep with pillows under your upper body and legs. This will keep the pressure off your incision and smoothen the recovery process.
How long till I can stand up straight after belt lipectomy?
Some patients find it easy to stand up straight without pain 2 weeks after their belt lipectomy. Keep in mind that everyone heals differently and has a different recovery timeline.
What scarring can I expect after a 360 abdominoplasty?
The belt lipectomy incision is done along the bikini line and extends all around the circumflex of your belly and back. The incision is really low on the belly so it can be hidden by your underwear or swimwear.
Should I get a belt lipectomy if I’m planning to get pregnant?
Ideally, it would be best to get a circumferential abdominoplasty after you’re done with pregnancies. Pregnancy might stretch your skin again after the lipectomy has tightened it.
Does belt lipectomy help flatten the stomach?
A belt lipectomy is a body contouring surgery that may help to flatten your stomach while also aiming to lift your buttocks and outer thighs.
Can a belt lipectomy be combined with other procedures?
Extreme weight loss can leave stretched skin all over the body (around the belly, under the chin, upper arms, thighs, breasts, and butt).
That’s why some patients opt for a 360 abdominoplasty combined with other skin reduction surgeries to complement their weight loss results. Surgeries combined with belt lipectomy include:
- Breast lift or Breast Surgery
- Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
- Arm lift (Brachioplasty)
- Thigh lift (Thighplasty)
- Liposuction
You’ll also go through only one anaesthesia, one recovery time, and one hospital stay, which is a plus!
What other post weight loss procedures does Dr Hunt offer?
Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
Is abdominoplasty a major surgery?
Yes. FDL Tummy tuck – abdominoplasty and Fleur de Lis are considered major surgeries. They are usually done under general anaesthesia. They involve extensive surgical tissue manipulation and removal. You should expect to spend 1-3 nights at the hospital after your procedure.
When consider it?
Fleur de Lis may be considered if you have very excessive abdominal fat flaps, overhanging skin and skin rolls, especially on the sides of your abdomen. In such cases, a traditional abdominoplasty alone might not be enough to achieve your cosmetic goals.
What does its scar look like?
Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty involves 2 scars. The first is a horizontal scar along the bikini line, extending from side to side. The second is a vertical scar, starting at the middle of the horizontal scar, and extending upward till just above the belly button. The horizontal scar will be hidden under your underwear. The vertical scar will still be visible, though. Both scars will fade with time and become much less noticeable after a year 6-12 months.
How long does swelling last after the surgery?
After Fleur de Lis, swelling will peak at 3-5 days. Afterward, the swelling will significantly decrease to be less noticeable after 6 weeks. A very minimal amount of swelling might linger for a few months afterward until it eventually becomes all resorbed.
Further Reading & Medical Sources
Useful links
- Rhinoplasty Risks and Safety | American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- The FDL abdominoplasty
- A Comparative Analysis of Fleur-de-Lis and Traditional Panniculectomy after Bariatric Surgery
- FDL abdominoplasty: a safe alternative to traditional abdominoplasty for the massive weight loss patient
- Safety of FDL Abdominoplasty after Massive Weight Loss
- FDL Abdominoplasty and Neo-umbilicus
