Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is an advanced form of abdominoplasty that uniquely addresses skin laxity in both the vertical and horizontal directions of the abdomen. ⁽¹⁾

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a time-tested and highly sought-after surgical treatment. For patients who have experienced significant weight loss and now have loose, hanging skin that a traditional tummy tuck cannot adequately address on its own, a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck may be a viable option. By removing excess tissue across the midsection and tightening the abdominal structure, a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck can be a powerful solution for patients looking to restore a flatter, firmer, and more proportionate abdominal profile. Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck procedures have become very common in our practice, with so many patients on their weight loss journey with the use of GLP medications. Patients who have a significant amount of excess skin, a Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck can make a dramatic difference as it removes skin in multiple directions.

For patients who require more significant skin removal, Austin Plastic Surgeon offers effective body contouring and abdominal correction. With locations in Austin, San Antonio, and West Lake Hills, our practice offers advanced and comprehensive surgical planning for each patient and their unique circumstances. The Austin Plastic Surgeon staff includes a multitude of experienced surgeons who take a patient-first approach to each abdominal contouring procedure and can help you achieve the results you’re looking for.

If you are considering a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, contact Austin Plastic Surgeon online to schedule a personal consultation and explore your possibilities. If you have any questions or prefer scheduling over the phone, please call any of our three Austin-area offices:

About Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck

The fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is a specialized abdominal contouring procedure that removes excess skin both horizontally along the lower abdomen and vertically along the midline. ⁽²⁾ Unlike a standard tummy tuck, which only removes loose skin in a single horizontal direction and treats muscle laxity, the fleur-de-lis approach corrects redundant skin that extends from the upper abdomen down into the pubic area in addition to the horizontal component that the traditional tummy tuck treats. This makes it especially beneficial for patients who have lost a substantial amount of weight, often in a short period of time, and now have significant skin folds that hang in several directions. ⁽³⁾

During a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, the surgeon creates two incisions. One runs horizontally across the lower abdomen, similar to a traditional tummy tuck incision, while the second runs along the center of the abdomen. The vertical incision allows for the removal of excess tissue that cannot be tightened with a horizontal excision alone. This results in a more comprehensive reshaping of the abdomen, as typically more skin can be removed.

Benefits

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck offers multiple unique advantages, especially for patients with advanced skin laxity. Patients seeking this approach at Austin Plastic Surgeon may experience benefits such as:

For individuals who have struggled to fully enjoy the results from their hard-earned weight loss efforts due to loose abdominal skin, the fleur-de-lis tummy tuck can offer a sense of completion.

Ideal Candidates

Not everyone seeking abdominal contouring requires the fleur-de-lis approach. This variation of the tummy tuck is usually most beneficial for patients with more extensive skin laxity that extends vertically along the abdomen. Ideal candidates typically include those who:

During your personal consultation at Austin Plastic Surgeon, the team will review multiple factors to determine whether or not a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck will benefit you.

Personal Consultation

If you want to explore a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, the process begins with a personal consultation at Austin Plastic Surgeon. During this meeting, you will sit down with an experienced surgeon who reviews your medical history, weight loss journey, and overall aesthetic goals. They will then examine your abdomen. Based on the information they gather during this consultation, they will create a fully personalized treatment plan that works toward your unique goals.

This meeting is also the perfect time to address any questions or concerns you may have, as well as discuss the surgical technique in detail. Your surgeon will explain how the incision pattern works, where they will place incisions, and how the fleur-de-lis approach differs from a traditional tummy tuck.

To schedule this all-important initial consultation at Austin Plastic Surgeon, contact one of three locations online or directly by phone:

Preparation

As with any surgical procedure, preparation for a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is essential to achieving optimal results. The preparation process tends to run smoothly for most patients, as our team provides detailed instructions to navigate the process. Typical preparatory steps often include:

Procedure

Our surgeons perform fleur-de-lis tummy tucks with the patient under general anesthesia, allowing them to remain comfortably asleep throughout treatment. Depending on the patient and the extent of correction, the procedure tends to last several hours. After you receive anesthesia, your surgeon will begin making the planned horizontal and vertical incisions. They will then proceed to remove excess skin and tissue in a careful manner. In most cases, they will also tighten underlying abdominal muscles, correcting the diastasis.

After excising tissue, they will reposition the remaining skin to create a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing abdominal contour. The surgeon may also reposition the belly button to a natural location, if and when necessary. Throughout the procedure, our surgeons pay strict attention to detail, including using meticulous suturing techniques to close the incisions and support proper healing.

Key considerations in a Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck at Austin Plastic Surgeon involve removing the excess skin, correcting the diastasis, Exparel Injection, and meticulous attention to the creation of your belly button. These are just a few of the specific technical pearls we uphold to make sure our patients achieve the best results possible.

Recovery

Recovery from a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck varies from patient to patient, but this variation often involves a slightly longer recovery period than others. The Austin Plastic Surgeon team will guide you throughout the recovery process and give you directions to optimize proper healing. The team will provide a list of detailed instructions for recovery based on your procedure. It is important to take enough time to recover and make sure that you have enough help in the post-operative period to make sure you get the best results possible.

Results

Results from a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck can be life-changing, especially for patients who have experienced major weight loss. Patients who visit Austin Plastic Surgeon for a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck tend to see a flatter abdomen, improved waist definition, and a more proportionate overall appearance. Patients who undergo a fleur-de-lis tummy tend to have a dramatic change in the amount of skin removal.

Cost of Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck in Austin, San Antonio, and West Lake Hills

The cost of a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck may differ from patient to patient, but typically, this procedure ranges from around $12,000-$18,000, as per our pricing page. However, multiple factors influence the price of each procedure, so we will provide a detailed cost estimate during your personal consultation. Often, liposuction and other procedures are combined with a Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck to give you the best result. The Austin Plastic Surgeon team will also gladly help you explore financing options if you are interested.

To explore pricing details further or ask any questions you have about the cost of your treatment, contact Austin Plastic Surgeon online or reach out to one of three locations directly:

FAQ

References

1. Friedman T, Coon D, Michaels J, et al. Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty: A Safe Alternative to Traditional Abdominoplasty for the Massive Weight Loss Patient. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2010;125(5):1525-1535. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0b013e3181d6e7e0
2. Mitchell RTM, Rubin JP. The Fleur-De-Lis Abdominoplasty. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2014;41(4):673-680. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2014.07.007
3. DeSerres JJ, Quaife T, Morzycki A, Matthew W.T. Curran, Toy J. Safety of Fleur-de-lis Abdominoplasty after Massive Weight Loss. Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2020;74(1):223-243. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2020.05.074