Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

Tummy tuck or Fleur de lis abdominoplasty

You will definitely need more than a standard tummy tuck. The reason for this is that your skin excess looks to extend well beyond your hips. The other alternative to consider is a body lift or a belt lipectomy. This is where the tummy tuck incision is extended all the way around your lower body.

This would allow your surgeon to tighten your abdominal skin as well as to shape your waist area, hips and lift your buttock region. Essentially it will let your surgeon shape your entire lower trunk. At the very least you would require an extended abdominoplasty. Although this sounds like a much longer scar and a bigger operation, in reality it is not.

Fleur de lis abdominoplasty image

Tummy tuck scar is kept low and will be hidden by your clothing and swimwear. The only scar you should be able to see is around your belly button. The Fleur De Lis option, in my opinion should be avoided. It leaves a vertical scar which you will not be able to hide. In addition the scar tends to extend right up on to your chest. (Richard Bloom, MBBS, FRACS, Denver Plastic Surgeon)

Standard abdominoplasty incision will work well

By your pictures, it appears to me that a standard abdominoplasty incision will work well for you. The long vertical scar of a fleur de lis will not produce enough improvement to justify the long, visible scar. (John Squires, MD, Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon)

Standard vs Fleur de lis abdominoplasty

Fleur de lis abdominoplasty scar

You should have a good result with a standard horizontal elliptical approach to your tummy tuck. The excision may have to be carried beyond your hips to avoid a dog ear problem. While many tummy tucks could always be made a little tighter by the addition of a vertical scar, the scar trade-off may be aesthetically worse than a little extra skin.

Generally, fleur-de-lis or inverted T excisions are reserved for the bariatric or massive weight loss patient. (Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

Abdominoplasty scars fleur de lis

Fleur de lis abdominoplasty surgery

Scar length needs to be weighed against the aesthetic improvement. Often, for a borderline patient ill need their input on whether the vertical incision is too much of a ‘bummer’ or will they simply not be satisfied unless the excess at the midsection is as tight as possible.

From the photos it appears that you would not ‘need’ a vertical scar and avoid its visibility. You would look great but if you wouldn’t feel great then a vertical becomes necessary. Be sure to ask a board certified plastic surgeon! (Ricardo A. Meade, MD)

Standard Tummy Tuck vs. Fleur De Lis Abdominoplasty?

Fleur de lis abdominoplasty operation

From your photos, it appears that you have had undergone a substantial weight loss. Due to the fact that there is excess skin in both a vertical and horizontal direction, I believe you would be a good candidate for a fleur de lis type of abdominoplasty. This procedure would add a vertical scar, which a standard tummy tuck would not, but would better address the loose horizontal skin.

Depending on the amount of laxity, the vertical scar could be limited to being placed below the belly button.  (Vincent D. Lepore, MD, San Jose Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tuck with Horizontal or Fleur Di Les Incision?

Based on your pictures, you are likely to get more loose skin removed with a horizontal and vertices incision (Fleur Di Les). The trade-off is the scar, which is more obvious (but does get better over time). (Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

Choosing Tummy tuck incisions

Fleur de lis abdominoplasty picture

Thanks for providing the photos. Your photos suggested that your abdominal skin has both vertical and horizontal excess. It’s a judgement call whether to choose a Fleur De Lys scar or stay with an extended horizontal scar. If you are unable to accept the vertical scar then you have to accept that there will still be some loose skin horizontally.

If your goal is to achieve maximal shape improvement then Fleur De Lys is the choice for you. With this type of incision closure you can eliminate both vertical and horizontal excessive skin. (Stewart Wang, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck after weight loss

My colleagues correctly identify a vertical laxity as well as a transverse one. A conventional abdominoplasty would not necessarily deal with this, and so a fleur de lys is the obvious suggestion. I would like to see a rear view, however, because you may well be a candidate for a lower body lift (circumferential abdominoplasty).

Fleur de lis abdominoplasty photo

If indicated, this would lift the buttocks, eliminate posterior rolls and may avoid the vertical scar of the fleur de lys. (J. Brian Boyd, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Standard tummy tuck or fleur de lis?

Looking at your photos, it is evident that you have loose skin in the up and down direction as well as side to side. This is a clear indication for a fleur de lis incision (vertical scar). A full examination would be necessary to best determine the optimal procedure. Although a traditional tummy tuck results in less scarring, it may give you a boxy appearance. (Frank Agullo, MD, El Paso Plastic Surgeon)

Fleur de Lis or Standard Abdominoplasty?

You would get a much better result with the Fleur de Lis approach if you don’t mind the vertical incision. Much more tissue can be removed as well. The skin laxity that you have in the upper abdomen will not be tightened as much with a standard incision. (Richard Dale Reynolds, MD, El Paso Plastic Surgeon)

Standard tummy tuck or Fleur de lis abdominoplasty

Without an exam I can not be 100% accurate but it appears that you have excess transverse skin in the upper abdominal area for a vertical wedge excision which is the fleur dis lis component. You may also be a candidate for the extended incision to further narrow your waist and lift the gluteal region.

Good luck and please see a board certified plastic surgeon who can show you his or her results. (Gregory Lynam, MD, Richmond Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tuck or Fleur Di Les Incision?

The best answer to your question would be based on a physical exam and consultation with an experienced surgeon. There are many pros and cons to each approach and you need to find out how these relate to your anatomey and goals. Those answers can only be given to you after an examination. (Ronald V. DeMars, MD, Portland Plastic Surgeon)