Fleur de lis tummy tuck before and after photos show one of the most dramatic transformations in plastic surgery. The procedure, often called an FDL tummy tuck, removes loose skin in two directions instead of one, leaving a vertical scar from the breastbone down to the pubic area and a horizontal scar across the hips. The combined incision pattern resembles the fleur de lis flower, which is where the name comes from. For patients who’ve lost significant weight or carry hanging skin around the midsection that a standard tummy tuck can’t fix, this surgery is often the only realistic path to a flat, contoured abdomen.
Below is a complete guide to what fleur de lis tummy tuck results actually look like, how the scars heal over a year, what it costs, who qualifies, and how recovery compares to a traditional tuck.
What Is a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck?
A fleur de lis tummy tuck is an extended version of abdominoplasty designed for patients with severe horizontal and vertical skin laxity. A standard tummy tuck removes a horizontal strip of skin between the hips, but it can’t address loose skin that hangs sideways or wraps around the waist. The fleur de lis surgery adds a vertical incision running from the lower chest down to the pubic bone, allowing the surgeon to pull skin in from both sides as well as from top to bottom.
The result is a flatter, narrower waistline that a regular tuck simply can’t deliver in patients with this much excess tissue. The trade off is more scarring, since the incision creates a T-shape or inverted Y on the abdomen.
The procedure is most often performed at specialty practices that handle post bariatric body contouring, like BodEvolve Cosmetic, where the same surgeons frequently see patients through weight loss surgery and the body contouring that follows.
Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck Before and After: What Results Look Like
The before photos almost always show patients with:
- A heavy apron of skin hanging below the waistline
- Loose, draping skin extending around the flanks
- Stretch marks across the lower and upper abdomen
- A widened, flattened belly button pulled out of position
- Skin folds that cause hygiene and rash problems
The after photos, taken six months to a year later, typically show:
- A flat abdomen with a clear waistline
- A repositioned, neat belly button
- Tighter skin from the rib cage to the pubic bone
- A narrower waist than a horizontal-only tuck can create
- A T-shaped or inverted-Y scar that fades significantly with time
Fleur de lis tummy tuck pictures are most useful when you can find a patient with a similar starting point. Before booking, ask the surgeon for fleur de lis abdominoplasty before and after photos that match your body type and weight loss history, not just polished marketing examples.
The Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck Incision Explained
The incision has two parts. The horizontal cut runs hip to hip, similar to a standard tummy tuck, sitting low enough to hide under underwear or swimwear. The vertical cut starts near the lower breastbone or upper abdomen and runs straight down to meet the horizontal incision near the pubic area.
When skin is pulled together from both sides and stitched, the closure forms a T-shape on the lower belly and a line running up the middle. The belly button is detached, the surrounding skin is tightened, and the navel is brought through a new opening so it sits naturally on the flatter abdomen.
This double incision is what allows the surgeon to tailor the waist inward, something a standard horizontal cut can’t accomplish.
Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck vs Regular Tummy Tuck
A regular tummy tuck removes skin only between the hips along a horizontal incision. It works well for patients with mild to moderate loose skin who haven’t lost an extreme amount of weight.
A fleur de lis tummy tuck adds the vertical incision, allowing the surgeon to:
- Remove skin from the sides as well as the bottom
- Narrow the waist horizontally
- Address the upper abdomen, not just below the belly button
- Tighten skin in patients where a horizontal-only cut would leave puckering or dog ears at the sides
The simple rule: if a horizontal-only incision would leave noticeable skin excess at the hips or sides, the fleur de lis is the better choice. If your loose skin is mostly below the navel and the upper abdomen is tight, a tummy tuck is usually enough.
Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck vs 360 Tummy Tuck
A 360 tummy tuck (also called a circumferential abdominoplasty or lower body lift) extends the horizontal incision all the way around the body to address loose skin on the back, flanks, and buttocks, not just the front.
Here’s how they differ:
Fleur de lis tummy tuck treats front and side skin laxity using a vertical and horizontal incision on the abdomen only.
360 tummy tuck treats the entire trunk circumference using one continuous horizontal incision running around the waist.
Some patients with extreme skin excess actually need both. A 360 fleur de lis tummy tuck combines the vertical FDL incision on the front with a circumferential lift around the back, delivering total trunk reshaping. It’s a longer surgery with a longer recovery, but for certain post bariatric patients, it’s the only way to achieve a balanced result.
Who Is a Candidate for a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck?
The classic candidate has lost 100 pounds or more, either through bariatric surgery, medical weight loss, or sustained lifestyle changes, and is left with skin that hangs in multiple directions.
Other typical candidates include:
- Patients with a pronounced apron of skin (pannus) that causes infection or back pain
- Post bariatric patients who completed weight loss surgery 12 to 18 months ago and have stabilized
- People with prior vertical abdominal scars that can be incorporated into the new incision
- Plus size patients carrying excess skin from long term weight fluctuation
A plus size fleur de lis tummy tuck is often the right call when BMI sits in a higher range but loose skin is the main concern, since a standard tuck wouldn’t remove enough tissue to produce a meaningful result. Surgeons typically want patients within a safe BMI range and at a stable weight for at least six months before scheduling.
Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck Cost
Fleur de lis tummy tuck cost typically ranges from $12,000 to $20,000 in the United States, with most quotes in the Texas market landing between $13,000 and $18,000. The price depends on:
- Surgeon experience and credentials
- Whether anesthesia and facility fees are bundled
- Length of surgery (an extended fleur de lis tummy tuck or 360 FDL runs higher)
- Combination procedures like a body lift, thigh lift or breast lift performed at the same time
- Geographic location
Patients searching for fleur de lis tummy tuck near me in the DFW area can get evaluations at BodEvolve locations in Arlington, Richardson and Texarkana, with patients also traveling in from nearby Mansfield and surrounding communities. Quotes are given after an in-person assessment, since the price varies based on how much tissue actually needs to be removed.
Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck Scar: What It Looks Like at Each Stage
Scarring is the biggest trade off of this surgery, and being honest about it before booking saves a lot of disappointment later.
Weeks 1 to 6:
The scar is raised, pink or red, and visible. The T-shape sits flat against the abdomen but feels firm. Swelling makes the scar look longer than it actually will.
Months 3 to 6:
Redness starts to fade. The scar flattens and softens. Some patients still see thickening at the T-junction where the horizontal and vertical incisions meet.
Months 9 to 12:
The scar transitions to a thinner, pale line. The 1 year fleur de lis tummy tuck scar is usually significantly lighter than what patients see at the 3 month mark, though the vertical line up the midline never disappears entirely.
Beyond 1 year:
With consistent scar care (silicone sheets, sunscreen, gentle massage), the scar continues to fade for up to two years.
Scar appearance varies based on skin type, genetics, smoking history, and post op compliance. Patients prone to keloids or hyperpigmentation should bring it up early so the surgical plan can include preventive scar management.
Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck Scar Tattoo Ideas
A lot of patients ultimately turn the vertical scar into a feature rather than try to hide it. Popular fleur de lis tummy tuck scar tattoo designs include:
- A vertical floral vine that follows the midline
- A delicate fleur de lis symbol placed at the junction (a meta nod to the procedure name)
- Geometric or mandala designs that incorporate the scar as a centerline
- Watercolor florals that fade across the abdomen
- Phoenix or warrior imagery for patients who view the scar as a symbol of transformation
Most tattoo artists recommend waiting at least 12 to 18 months after surgery to make sure the scar is fully healed and stable before tattooing over it.
Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline
Recovery from a fleur de lis tummy tuck is longer than a standard tuck because there’s more tissue removed and a longer total incision.
- Days 1 to 7: Walking is limited and posture stays slightly hunched to protect the closure. Drains stay in place. Pain is managed with prescribed medication.
- Week 2: Drains usually come out. Most patients move more comfortably. Office work is still difficult.
- Weeks 3 to 4: Patients return to desk jobs and resume light daily activities.
- Weeks 6 to 8: Light cardio resumes. Lifting restrictions lift gradually.
- Week 12: Most patients return to full exercise, including core work.
- Months 6 to 12: Swelling resolves completely, scars settle, and final results become visible.
A 360 fleur de lis tummy tuck adds another 2 to 3 weeks to each stage, since the back incision affects sitting, sleeping, and movement in additional ways.
Pros and Cons of Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck
Pros:
- Dramatic transformation in patients with severe skin laxity
- Removes excess skin in two directions, narrowing the waist
- Often the only effective option after major weight loss
- Permanent results when weight stays stable
- Frequently relieves rashes, back pain, and hygiene issues caused by hanging skin
Cons:
- Longer, more visible scar than a standard tuck
- Longer recovery time
- Higher cost
- More complex surgery with increased risk of wound healing issues at the T-junction
- Not suitable for patients without significant vertical skin excess
Extended Variations: Panniculectomy, 360 FDL and Combinations
A fleur de lis panniculectomy removes the hanging apron of skin (pannus) using the same incision pattern but focuses on tissue removal rather than cosmetic contouring. It’s typically performed when the pannus causes medical problems, and is sometimes partially covered by insurance.
An extended fleur de lis tummy tuck stretches the horizontal incision further toward the back, addressing flank skin that a standard FDL leaves behind.
A 360 fleur de lis tummy tuck combines the vertical FDL incision with a complete circumferential lift around the body.
A fleur de lis tummy tuck and breast lift combination is common in post bariatric patients, since significant weight loss usually leaves loose skin on both the torso and the chest. Combining procedures means one anesthesia, one recovery, and lower total cost than two separate surgeries.
How Long Does a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck Take?
The surgery itself usually runs 4 to 6 hours for a standard FDL, depending on how much tissue is removed and whether muscle repair is included. Combination procedures (FDL plus breast lift, 360 FDL, or panniculectomy with FDL) can run 6 to 8 hours.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and most patients go home the same day, though some stay overnight at a recovery facility depending on the surgeon’s protocol and the extent of the surgery.
Is a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck Worth It?
Here’s the honest truth about a fleur de lis tummy tuck. It’s not the surgery you pick because it’s easy. You pick it because nothing else is going to do the job. If you’ve lost a hundred pounds, or two hundred, or you’ve just been living with hanging skin that’s been there longer than you can remember, you already know that diet and exercise stopped being part of the conversation a long time ago. Loose skin doesn’t shrink. It just sits there. And at some point the trade-off starts to make sense: a scar you can live with, in exchange for a body that finally feels like yours again.
Most patients say the hardest part wasn’t the surgery or even the recovery, it was waiting to be ready and wondering if it would really be worth it. The ones who do their homework, pick a surgeon who’s done a lot of these, and go in with realistic expectations almost always come out the other side glad they did it. If you’re somewhere in that decision-making space and just want a real conversation with someone who’ll tell you straight, reach out to BodEvolve Cosmetic.
