What’s the difference between a fleur-de-lis and a standard tummy tuck?

Diet and exercise are great ways to stay fit or, if necessary, to lose weight. However, in some cases, stubborn fat can’t be dieted or exercised away. When the fat is located in the tummy area, there are cosmetic procedures that can help. An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a popular plastic surgery procedure that aims to remove excess skin and portions of fat from your abdomen.

A tummy tuck can also help get rid of loose skin after massive weight loss, as it happens with patients who underwent a bariatric procedure such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.

There are several types of abdominoplasty, including fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. In this article, we are going to describe how a traditional and a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck work, and how these two procedures differ.

Tummy tuck: How does it work?

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure performed by making a large, horizontal incision from hip bone to hip bone to reshape your midsection. The surgeon removes any excess skin and fat deposits while tightening your abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck can dramatically transform your waistline and give you a more sculpted look.

The procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia.

What is a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck?

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is a surgical procedure designed to remove large areas of excess skin in your belly area. For this reason, a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is particularly indicated for patients who have lost a great amount of weight. During the procedure, the surgeon makes two incisions: one across the abdomen, just like the traditional tummy tuck, and a vertical one that will intersect. Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is also performed using a general anaesthetic.

Fleur de lis means ‘lily flower’ and this tummy tuck procedure gets its name from the incisions made during surgery, which resemble the fleur de lis symbol.

What is the difference between a traditional tummy tuck and a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck?

Both traditional and fleur-de-lis tummy tuck are surgical procedures that aim to reshape your midsection. However, these procedures also have some differences:

Incisions

The main difference between a traditional tummy tuck and fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is how incisions are made.

During a traditional tummy tuck, your surgeon will make a horizontal incision from hip bone to hip bone. A fleur-de-lis procedure also includes a vertical incision that goes from the sternum until the pubic area, creating a shape similar to a fleur de lis.

How long the horizontal and vertical incisions are depends on the patient’s goals and anatomy.

Who is the procedure for

A tummy tuck is recommended to individuals who need to remove excess skin and fat that cannot be lost with diet and workouts. Your doctor may recommend a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck if you lost a massive amount of weight, as this procedure allows to remove much more skin and fat tissue. However, a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck also leaves a more visible scar that cannot be hidden in underwear or a two-piece bathing suit alone, unlike a standard tummy tuck. At the same time, scarring might be more extensive, but the procedure can completely change the look of your body, in a good way!

You will discuss with your doctor which procedure best suits your needs and expectations: only after an individual examination, our specialists will be able to suggest what type of tummy tuck is the best in your specific case.

Duration and cost

Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck takes longer than traditional abdominoplasty as the surgeon makes two incisions and needs almost twice as much time for suturing. As a consequence, you should expect a higher cost.

Recovery time is about the same as traditional tummy tuck, which takes around six to eight weeks.

Are there other tummy tuck procedures?

Besides traditional tummy tuck and fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, there are other other types of abdominoplasty that your doctor may recommend:

• Miniature abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck): your doctor may recommend this procedure if you require only a small amount of fat and skin to be removed. This procedure removes excess fat and skin from the area around your navel, to reshape your lower abdomen. Abdominal muscles are usually not repaired or toned during a mini tummy tuck. Moreover, the scar is less visible than other more invasive tummy tuck procedures.
• Full abdominoplasty: During a full tummy tuck, the surgeon makes both an umbilical and a low waistline incision, so that both your upper and lower abdomen can be improved. Excess skin and fat are removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened.

What type of tummy tuck is right for me?

Before planning your surgery, you will have a thorough consultation with one of our specialists, who will talk to you about your expectations and concerns. You will also be asked to provide an exhaustive overview of your medical history, the medications you are taking regularly, and if you have any medical conditions.

Our specialists will recommend the type of tummy tuck that best suits your needs. This will largely depend on the amount of excess skin you need to remove and if liposuction or muscle correction also need to be performed. Get in touch with us and one of our patient coordinators will be in touch with you to ask you a few initial questions.

As already mentioned, a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is typically recommended for people who have lost a massive amount of weight. Loose, saggy skin can be trimmed and removed, and  your midsection can be reshaped. Results are immediately visible but full recovery can take several months. By following a balanced diet and doing regular physical exercise, results are meant to be long lasting.