Is fleur de lis tummy tuck more painful than a regular tummy tuck?

Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Congratulations on your weight loss! There is no more pain difference between regular tummy tuck and fleur de lis, the difference is you would have a vertical scar instead, you may feel a bit numb the stomach area due to the muscle tightening but it is quiet the same pain tolerance, I suggest seeking a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss details. Best of luck!

Both tummy tucks hurt because of the muscle tightening below the skin.  Adding a long vertical incision in the midline may add a bit more pain to the skin but not much more.  Ask your surgeon if she is using Exparel to help lessen post-operative pain.  It does work.

A regular tummy tuck and a fleur de lis tummy tuck are very similar in the pain even though the fleur de lis requires more incisions. The muscle tightening that is done in each procedure is what typically causes the most pain. If you have had a 200 lb weight loss, you likely need more than a regular tummy tuck to give you the best contour.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Not too much. Really the only difference is the extra scar up the midline of the abdomen. So from the more incision perspective yes, but I think it is minimal. I just did one a week ago and she did amazing. Not any more pain that a standard tummy tuck. Best of luck. 

The procedures are technically done with some differences, but the actual pain experience is similar with both.

Thank you for your question. No extra pain or recovery in FDL. You will have vertical scar. Please discuss with your PS

Thank you for the question. There are many different types of TT. In my vast experience with this procedure it is evident that the post operative pain is related to the abdominal wall tightening and the size or amount of skin incisions not relevant. You are at a higher risk for wound infection and other problems with the Leur de Li and it is a procedure that is rarely done (at least here in NYC) so, maybe get a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon.

Great question.  I don't think it is more painful, it is just an extra incision.  It will be more difficult in terms of healing just because of more wound that must heal, so you are at an increased risk of wound healing problems.  In the right patient, this technique can be very excellent and important.  Good Luck 

"The above answer has been given without seeing this patient and cannot be substituted for actual in-person examination and medical advice; it is only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

The Fleur de lys TT is a more extensive procedure and probably most people will find it more painful than a standard TT. However, the difference is not great. If a Fleur de Lys is the right choice for you I would not let any difference in pain following surgery put you off.The Fleur de Lys enables excess skin to be removed in a side to side direction as well as the up and down orientation of the standard TT. Most people who have lost 200lb will benefit from removal of excess skin in both directions.Good luck!

Consider this: The tummy tuck operation was designed to almost exclusively deal with post pregnancy changes of loose skin, stretch marks, weakened abdominal muscles and a modest weight gain and subsequent loss. All of these changes are pretty much limited to the abdominal area which is the area most affected by pregnancy. Someone who has lost 200 lbs, once weighed an additional 200lbs, and this weight was distributed over the entire body.Surely over the entire truncal area, which means that the loss of these 200 lbs is going to affect all the areas of the trunk, not just the tummy. Why would anyone expect that a tummy tuck whether it is a fleur de lis or conventional tummy tuck is gong to solve the problem? Over 20 yrs ago we came up with operations suited to the needs of the massive weight loss patient. These operations are called Body Lifts and at least should be offered to this special need patient. Simply adding a vertical incision will not address the other ares with excess skin. Ask your surgeon about the pros and cons of body lifts versus a more limited procedure.