The Fleur de Lys Abdominoplasty
As more and more U.S. citizens focus on achieving a healthy weight, we find that some of our NYC area tummy tuck patients require extended abdominoplasty surgery to banish redundant skin. For those who succeed in shedding dozens of pounds—whether through gastric bypass surgery or through their own diet/exercise regimen—we often recommend a procedure we call the “fleur de lys” abdominoplasty.
The standard tummy tuck is ideal for moms whose stretched skin and muscles don’t bounce back after pregnancy, and it can work well for those who have lost several pounds. But patients whose weight loss has been more significant are often bothered by excess skin in the upper as well as the lower abdominal area. It is this group of women and men who benefit from a fleur de lys procedure, also referred to as an “anchor” or a “vertical” tummy tuck.
Simply put, the fleur de lys abdominoplasty adds a vertical component to a standard tummy tuck. While the horizontal incision made low on the abdomen provides access for tightening lax muscles and sagging belly skin, the vertical incision travels upward to allow for removal of excess skin on the mid to upper abdomen. This approach yields additional horizontal tightening, giving the post weight loss patient a flatter torso and trimmer waist.
There are tradeoffs involved in this extended procedure, of course. Patients who choose to undergo a fleur de lys abdominoplasty will have an additional scar that can be more prominent than that of a traditional tummy tuck. (For some gastric bypass patients, however, pre-existing incision lines can be used.) The plastic surgeon must take extra care to preserve a natural shape for the navel, and surgeon and patient must watch the area where the horizontal and vertical incisions meet to ensure proper healing.
There are potential benefits for some patients beyond the body contouring effect of the fleur de lys abdominoplasty, though. Some people choose the procedure partly to banish old surgical scars, and moms are pleased that the fleur de lys can get rid of stretch marks.
We have performed many fleur de lys procedures over our three decades in practice serving NYC tummy tuck patients. Some work with us because although this surgery is more involved than a standard abdominoplasty, we still choose twilight sedation instead of general anesthesia for almost all our patients. Even multiple-pregnancy, major weight loss female patients can be out of surgery in three hours, and up and walking out the door two hours later.
If you’re considering a tummy tuck and wondering which approach would be best, we would be happy to meet with you. Call our office at 212-570-6081 to make an appointment.
