Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck - Abdominoplasty Sydney NSW
Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty removes loose skin for massive weight loss patients
Massive weight loss or multiple pregnancies can lead to excess skin in the lower and upper abdomen. An option to remove this belly skin is getting a Fleur De Lis (FDL) abdominoplasty.
While the traditional abdominoplasty can also remove this extra skin, a Fleur de Lis, also called corset abdominoplasty or vertical abdominoplasty can address different concerns, especially in the upper abdomen above the belly button.
If you have a large amount of excess skin on the sides and front of your belly, an extended abdominoplasty may help. However, if there is excess tissue that requires both horizontal tightening and vertical tightening, then a Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty might be a suitable surgical option for you.
Dr Jeremy Hunt is one of the plastic surgeons offering Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty for patients in Sydney, Australia. Over the years, he has helped patients get rid of excess skin in the abdominal region.
What Is Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty?
Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery to tighten the stomach and get rid of excess abdominal skin and fat.
Compared to the traditional abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, Fleur de Lis surgery involves more tightening and more extensive fat and excess skin removal. It leads to a more significant tightening of the abdomen, especially on the sides and upper body.
Both the Fleur de Lis and traditional abdominoplasty involve a large horizontal incision along the bikini line, extending from side to side. However, the Fleur de Lis includes an additional vertical incision, extending from the pubis, upward through the belly button, until just before the ribs. It is the addition of this extra incision that addresses the horizontal (side-to-side) skin excess at the waistline.
This allows for more tightening and fat and skin removal on the sides and upper belly, in addition to the vertical tightening provided by the traditional horizontal incision.
Moreover, Fleur de Lis allows Dr Hunt to reshape and reposition the umbilicus (belly button) and tighten the abdominal muscles.
Fleur de Lis vs Traditional Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty
Fleur de Lis provides more extensive tightening and fat removal. You might be a good candidate for Fleur de Lis if:
- You have extensive abdominal skin
- The excessive fat and skin hang over the middle and sides of the abdomen
- You need belly button reconstruction
- A traditional abdominoplasty alone will cannot effect the desired improvements
- You are healthy and stable BMI and realistic expectations
Surgery to tighten the stomach might be a good option for all patients who have excessive belly skin and excess fat. However, it should be noted that the procedure is not designed to be a replacement for genuine weight loss. Instead, it can help you remove extra abdominal tissue that persists regardless of exercise and a healthy diet.
You’re a good candidate for Fleur de Lis surgery if you need large amounts of skin and fat removed, especially on the upper belly and sides of the abdomen.
Why Patients Might Consider Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty?
Patients might choose to undergo Fleur de Lis surgery for a number of different reasons, including:
- Reducing excess fat on the abdomen
- Removing a portion of abdominal skin
- Altering the shape and position of the belly button
- Addressing concerns with loose abdominal muscles and hernias
- Facilitating an extensive removal of fat and skin excess compared to traditional abdominoplasty
How Is Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Performed?
Fleur de Lis is done under general anaesthesia. This means that you’ll be asleep throughout the entire operation.
Once you’re under, Dr Hunt will start work. The Fleur de Lis involves a combination of surgical techniques:
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- Horizontal incision: First, Dr Hunt will perform the traditional horizontal abdominoplasty incision. This is a large incision done along the bikini line. It extends from one hip to the other. This incision allows Dr Hunt to tackle the fat rolls and excess skin in the front-mid area of the abdomen. Dr Hunt will cut the skin and fat from the upper and lower border of the incision.
- Vertical incision: This is a major advantage of Fleur de Lis. The vertical incision extends from the middle of the original horizontal incision. It goes up, right over the belly button, until reaching the ribs. The vertical incision allows Dr Hunt to pull the skin sideways. This means much more tissue can be removed from the sides of the abdomen. It allows him to address fat on the hips and sides of the waist.
- Abdominal muscle tightening: Fleur de Lis can involve abdominal muscle repair (e.g. abdominis diastasis) and hernia repair. Dr Hunt will aim to close any defects and tighten your abdominal muscles before closing your abdominoplasty incisions.
- Belly button repositioning: Since Fleur de Lis involves extensive skin and fat removal, the belly button often needs to be reshaped and repositioned. Dr Hunt performs umbilical reconstruction to give you a beautiful belly button.
- Liposuction: Fleur de Lis is often combined with liposuction to achieve further fat removal.
Once done, Dr Hunt will close the incision in multiple layers with fine sutures. Sometimes, temporary surgical drains might be inserted to prevent fluid from collecting in the wounds.
Recovery after Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty
Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty is considered major surgery. You will likely spend 1-3 nights at the hospital to monitor your recovery and the output from the surgical drains. The drains will usually be removed by the third day.
Symptoms like swelling, bruising, and pain around the wounds are normal during the recovery period. They usually peak at days 2-3 post-op, and gradually start to decline over the course of 3-4 weeks.
You can usually walk as of the next day after Fleur de Lis abdominoplasty. Expect to stay 1-2 weeks recovering at home – no work, sports, or any demanding physical activity.
You should wear an abdominal compression binder and sleep on your back for 4-6 weeks after Fleur de Lis to prevent fluid collection.
After 6 weeks, you can usually go back to your normal daily activities and exercise without any restrictions.
The swelling during the first 2 months might obscure the full effect of the procedure. This means you will need to wait for the healing process to complete before you can see the final results.
Risks of Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty
Prior to your procedure, you should make yourself aware of the possible complications of surgery. Although Dr Hunt is a trained and experienced surgeon, there are always risks to be aware of when approaching any surgical procedure. The risks of Fleur de Lis surgery can include:
- Bleeding
- Anaesthesia reactions
- Future surgery
- Seroma formation: Fluid collection in the wound
- Hematoma formation: Blood collection in the wound
- Wound infection: Increasing pain, redness, pus, and poor wound healing. Usually managed with antibiotics.
- Internal organ injury: Puncture injury might very rarely occur as a complication of liposuction.
- Wound healing abnormalities: Excessive scarring, keloid formation, and hypertrophic scars can rarely occur in some patients.
Patient Results for Abdominoplasty Surgery
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
Download Dr Hunt's Guide
Abdominoplasty Guide
The abdominoplasty guide has been created by Dr Hunt and his team as a useful tool to help you plan and consider this procedure.
Throughout the guide, we will discuss the ins and outs of different types of surgery what makes a suitable candidate, pre-surgery planning answers to the most frequently asked questions received from patients.
Next Steps
Always Do Your Research
- Browse our FAQs page
Book Your First Consultation
- Your Surgeon Consultation Fee is $400
- You will need a Referral from your GP
- Phone the team or email to Book your consultation
Prepare for your Plastic Surgeon Consultation
- Bring a friend or relative to help discuss the information.
- Take lots of notes and read the documents provided.
- Dress in simple clothes as you may need to undress.
- Bring your GP Referral and your test results.
Considering Fleur de Lis Absominoplasty Surgery?
What is Fleur de Lis surgery?
Fleur de Lis is a modified type of abdominoplasty (tummy tuck procedure). It includes a vertical abdominal incision in addition to the traditional horizontal one. It allows more fat and excess skin to be removed, especially on the sides of the abdomen. Moreover, it can involve belly button repositioning and abdominal muscle repair.
How long does it take to heal?
Complete recovery after Fleur de Lis surgery usually takes 4-6 weeks. However, you can usually go back to work after 10-14 days. During recovery, you will notice swelling and bruising and feel some pain around the wounds. The recovery symptoms after Fleur de Lis usually peak after 2-3 days of the surgery, and start to decrease as of the second week.
What is the difference between abdominoplasty and fleur de lis?
Fleur de Lis is a type of abdominoplasty. The traditional abdominoplasty involves a single horizontal incision along the bikini line. The Fleur de Lis has an additional incision extending from the pubis, through the umbilicus, and until reaching the ribs. This allows for more belly tightening, especially on the sides.
What are the Complications and Risks?
Potential Complications and side effects of Fleur de Lis include:
- Seroma formation: Fluid collection in the wound
- Hematoma formation: Blood collection in the wound
- Wound infection: Increasing pain, redness, pus, and poor wound healing. Usually managed with antibiotics.
- Internal organ injury: Puncture injury might very rarely occur as a complication of liposuction.
- Wound healing abnormalities: Excessive scarring, keloid formation, and hypertrophic scars can rarely occur in some patients.
How much does it cost Australia?
Determining the price of Fleur de Lis surgery in Australia is only possible after a consultation. There are many variables to consider before you can get an accurate estimate of how much an abdominoplasty will cost. This includes hospital fees, anaesthesia fees, and surgeon fees.
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PLASTIC SURGEON SYDNEY
About Dr Jeremy Hunt
Dr Hunt has worked with thousands of patients across his 20-year career. This is reflected in his role as Spokesperson for the ASPS – Australian Society of Plastic Surgery. Dr Hunt is also a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and Supervisor of Plastic Surgery Training at Sydney Children’s Hospital.
Dr Hunt has a strong interest in helping his patients achieve their desired results by employing the most appropriate practices for each individual patient.
