A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that aims to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen while simultaneously tightening the abdominal muscles. If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your stomach due to stubborn abdominal skin that doesn’t respond to exercise or a healthy diet, you may be considering this procedure. However, it’s important to note that not all tummy tucks are created equal. There are various techniques available, one of which is the Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck.
What exactly is a Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck?
A Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck, named after its incision pattern resembling the three-pronged Fleur-De-Lis symbol, involves both a horizontal incision (similar to a traditional tummy tuck) and a vertical incision running up the middle of the abdomen. This dual incision approach provides the surgeon with greater access to the abdominal muscles, allowing for the removal of a more significant amount of skin and fatty tissue from both the upper and lower abdominal area. Consequently, this results in a tighter waistline. The technique also enables horizontal and vertical skin tightening, often leading to remarkable and life-changing outcomes.
The Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck can be performed alone or in conjunction with a breast procedure, depending on the patient’s specific areas of concern.
How does a Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck differ from a body lift?
While both procedures involve the removal of significant excess skin, there are notable distinctions between a Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck and a body lift. A body lift addresses sagging skin across the abdomen, flanks, back, and buttocks, whereas the Fleur-De-Lis technique focuses primarily on the abdomen. Patients with extensive loose skin may be suitable candidates for either procedure. The final decision depends on several factors, including the desired contour area. The Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck provides excellent contouring to the front of the abdomen and trunk, primarily focusing on the front and waistline from the breasts down to the hips. However, this procedure does not address the back. On the other hand, a body lift allows for the removal of excess skin and greater tightening of the side body and back, although some laxity may remain in the front.
Before Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck
After Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck
Is a Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck suitable for everyone?
The Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck is a powerful technique with transformative results, but it is not suitable for every patient. It is well-suited for men and women with a significant amount of abdominal skin, often resulting from massive weight loss or bariatric surgery, that cannot be adequately addressed with a standard tummy tuck.
As with any surgical procedure, patients should be in good overall health and maintain a stable weight. Our team conducts a detailed assessment of each patient’s health and nutrition history to optimize any modifiable risk factors such as smoking, additional weight loss, nutrition imbalances, or other medical conditions prior to surgery.
Will this procedure result in a larger scar?
Many patients express concerns about additional scarring with the Fleur-De-Lis technique. Like any surgery, some scarring is inevitable, and this procedure does involve a longer scar due to the additional vertical incision. However, our experienced surgeons, Dr. Somogyi and Dr. Jalil, prioritize post-operative care and take great care to ensure proper healing and minimal scarring. Most patients find that the scar is well worth it when considering the incredible results achieved through this technique.
Contact us for a consultation
If you are considering whether the Fleur-De-Lis tummy tuck might be the right solution for you, please reach out to us to schedule a consultation with our team today.
