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

Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck Indications

The ‘Fleur de Lis’ or ‘Anchor’ Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) technique is when soft tissue is removed using both a horizontal waistline incision, as well as a vertical incision through the midline.

As you can imagine, this can lead to a significant noticeable scar down the middle of your abdomen, and frequently the umbilicus (belly button) is completely removed as well.

There are some indications for doing this technique, such as in the post-gastric bypass patient where this allows removal of large amounts of redundant skin and fat after massive weight loss.

Fleur de lis tummy tuck before and after pictures

Although this can be very effective for body contouring, the tradeoff is a prominent scar. Judging by your pictures, I think you will do fine with a standard tummy tuck with the incision only along the waistline, which can be hidden within your underwear or swimwear.

If you have concerns regarding loose skin on your back, it might be worth speaking with your plastic surgeon about a full body lift where the incision extends circumferentially to the back and allows removal of redundant tissue there as well.

This can simultaneously allow a buttock augmentation if that is something else you are interested in. Be sure to seek the expertise of a board-certified plastic surgeon who will be able to address your concerns in more detail. (Parviz Goshtasby, MD, FACS, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon)

Fleur de lis or not in tummy tuck?

Fleur de lis tummy tuck scar before and after

You have a challenging physique (I think – the pictures are foreshortened by the camera position, which I think exaggerates your upper body and makes the lower body look smaller). But, what you have is inelastic and very damaged skin, plus slim hips.

Did you lose weight? Or is this entirely the result of pregnancies? The answer to this question often holds the key to the right advice. On what we can see: I’d recommend a body lift without a vertical scar. The vertical scar is especially unsightly, and if avoidable should be avoided. It’s possible to create as much of a waist as you can achieve by differential excision of the excess skin which allows a rotation of the waist skin which can narrow the waist.

Fleur de lis tummy tuck surgery before and after

And sometimes thinning the residual flap with lipo can also positively influence the shape. Having said that, without a personal exam this advice is a good guess at best. And, your expectations need to be realistic. Not all the very damaged skin is removable, even though a lot of it is. (Howard Webster, MBBS, FRACS, Melbourne Plastic Surgeon)

Fleur de Lys Or Body Lift

From your photos, you appear to be a good candidate for a lower body lift. This is a bigger operation, but would address your back excess skin without a vertical incision and scar. (John Whitt, MD, Louisville Plastic Surgeon)

Scar length vs overall body contour

Fleur de lis tummy tuck incision before and after

You will bet be served by the fleur di lis or a corset abdominoplasty especially if you can combine this with a circumferential procedure to redefine your abdomen. Your laxity extends circumferentially so any procedure that addresses only one dimension will fall short of an overall correction. (Stephen M. Chen, MD, Richmond Plastic Surgeon)

Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty or not? How about a cirumferential beltlift?

Thanks for including photos, but a physical examination would be essential to determine whether or not the “loose skin on my back” is better treated by an anterior vertical excision, or by extending the tummy tuck circumferentially and actually removing the excess loose skin on your lower back, hips, buttocks, and upper lateral thighs. The question you should consider asking your surgeon is how many beltlift operations he has performed.

Fleur de lis tummy tuck before and after images

I suspect it will be few to none, which is why it may not have even been discussed as an option. Even well-trained and ABPS-certified plastic surgeons don’t like to suggest options they are not personally comfortable with . Even though this may be a superior option for your anatomy. Explore all your options before committing to one surgeon’s plan, or you may end up going to another one later for operation number two! (Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)

Fleur De Lis or No?

Fleur de lis tummy tuck before and after photos

Though I wouldn’t want to make the definitive decision over the internet based only on photos, I do think that the fleur de lis may well be a superior option based on what I see in terms of – excess horizontal tissue potential to improve the waistline your impression of excess back tissue (no views on the posted photos)

The trade-off for the bigger procedure with bigger results is a bigger scar. (Jourdan Gottlieb, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)