Am I An Ideal Candidate For A Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck?
During your consultation at Astra Plastic Surgery, our team of board-certified plastic surgeons will assess your midsection and abdominal muscles, as well as your health history to determine whether or not you are an ideal candidate for a fleur de lis tummy tuck. The ideal candidate for a fleur de lis tummy tuck should be in generally good health and a nonsmoker. In some cases, patients may be candidates for traditional tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck. Our plastic surgeons will help determine which method is best for your individual case.
Additionally, patients who opt for this procedure should ensure they are done having children. If you plan on having more children, it may be best to wait to undergo this procedure. Patients should also be within 15 pounds of their goal weight and have proven they are able to maintain a steady weight before deciding on a fleur de lis tummy tuck. During the consultation, we encourage patients to be honest about their goals and expectations as well as ask any questions or express any concerns they may have surrounding the procedure.
What Can I Expect During Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Fleur de lis tummy tuck surgery is performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, two main incisions are made. One incision spans the length of the waistline, just above the pubic hairline and can be beneath the bikini line. The other incision is placed vertically up the abdomen. From these incisions, Dr. Killingsworth and his plastic surgery team can tighten and correct the abdomen to provide patients with a more firm, contoured midsection. Additionally, our plastic surgeons may repair any muscle damage that has been caused by weight gain or childbearing.
Once the fleur de lis tummy tuck surgery is complete, the incisions will be closed, and the healing process can begin. Although procedure times will vary case to case, the standard FDL surgery can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to complete.
What Can I Expect After Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Because the fleur de lis tummy tuck technique is more comprehensive than a traditional tummy tuck, the recovery period can be more extensive. Patients should be prepared to have someone to help them during the first few days of the healing process at home. During this time, patients should rest as much as possible to allow their body to properly heal. Patients should keep their incisions dry and clean. It is recommended that patients avoid vigorous activity for 3 to 4 weeks following the procedure.
It is important to note that all patients heal at different rates based on their age, height, weight, the extent of the procedure, and more. During the recovery period, bleeding, bruising, swelling, and discomfort is normal. However, these symptoms should subside in the weeks following the procedure. Some patients may require drains. In this case, our team of plastic surgery professionals will instruct you as to how the drains should be cared for while healing. Following fleur de lis tummy tuck surgery, patients will be left with an upside down “T” shaped scar across the abdomen. Although scarring is permanent, it will continually fade over time. Our plastic surgeons will discuss the best scar minimizing treatments to reduce the appearance as much as possible.