Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck in Bellevue & Seattle

Conveniently located to serve Seattle and Bellevue

Flatten Your Stomach and Redefine Your Waistline

Most tummy tucks pull skin downward. That works well when the excess sits vertically, but it does little for skin that hangs outward from the sides of the waist. After major weight loss, this is a common situation, and it’s the reason the Fleur de Lis technique exists.

By adding a vertical incision to the standard horizontal one, Dr. Rikesh Parikh can tighten the abdomen in two directions rather than one. He performs this procedure at RP Plastic Surgery for patients throughout Seattle and the surrounding region.

What Is a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck?

A Fleur de Lis tummy tuck is an abdominoplasty that uses two incisions instead of one, allowing skin to be removed from the sides of the waist as well as the front. The incision pattern resembles an upside-down T.

The horizontal portion sits low on the abdomen, where a standard tummy tuck incision goes, and the vertical portion runs down the midline to meet it. Working through both, Dr. Parikh removes excess skin and fat, then tightens the abdominal muscles underneath.

Who Needs the Fleur de Lis Technique?

Patients who need this technique are typically those with loose skin that wraps around the torso rather than hanging straight down. It’s a specific solution to a specific problem, not a default choice. Dr. Parikh generally recommends it when the following apply:

• Loose skin hangs outward from the flanks, not just downward from the abdomen
• Significant weight loss has left excess tissue wrapping around the torso
• A previous tummy tuck flattened the stomach but left the waist undefined
• Weight has stayed stable for at least six months
• General health is good, without uncontrolled diabetes or a history of blood clots

If loose skin is limited to the lower abdomen, a standard tummy tuck will usually accomplish the same goals with less surgery. Dr. Parikh will say so directly during your consultation.

What Happens During Surgery

Surgery begins with the horizontal incision, where Dr. Parikh removes skin and fat from the lower abdomen as he would in a standard tummy tuck. He then works through the vertical incision, drawing tissue inward from both sides toward the midline. Whatever remains is removed.

Before closing, Dr. Parikh repairs the abdominal muscles where needed. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia at RP Plastic Surgery’s accredited surgery center. Because more tissue is removed than in a standard tummy tuck, it takes somewhat longer.

Recovery and Healing Timeline

Recovery from a Fleur de Lis runs a little longer than a standard tummy tuck. Most patients take two to three weeks off work. A compression garment supports the abdomen through the early weeks of healing and helps manage swelling.

Short walks start within a day or two. This keeps circulation moving and lowers clotting risk. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting wait six to eight weeks. Swelling settles gradually, and the final contour usually becomes clear between three and six months after surgery.

Benefits of a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck

The main benefit of a Fleur de Lis is that it removes loose skin that a standard tummy tuck physically cannot reach. For patients carrying a significant amount of excess tissue, that difference matters:

• Excess tissue is removed from the sides, not just the front
• The waist narrows visibly, rather than simply flattening
• Abdominal muscles are repaired and tightened in the same operation
• In many cases, it’s the only approach that removes all the loose skin in a single surgery
• Results hold well when weight stays stable afterward

Combining the Fleur de Lis With Other Procedures

A Fleur de Lis can be combined with several other body contouring procedures in one operation. Many surgeons avoid doing this. Buttock augmentation, whether by fat transfer or implant, is among the most requested pairings. A narrower waist and a fuller buttock complement one another.

A monsplasty lift addresses the pubic area sitting directly beneath the horizontal incision, which makes it a natural addition. Labiaplasty adds very little to the overall recovery and can usually be included when a patient wants it.

Which combinations make sense depends on individual health and anatomy. Dr. Parikh works that out with you during the consultation.

Cost of a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck

The cost of a Fleur de Lis tummy tuck depends on how much tissue needs to be removed and whether the surgery is combined with another procedure. Our team can provide a personalized quote after evaluating you in person. Financing options are also available for qualified patients.

Why Choose RP Plastic Surgery

Patients choose RP Plastic Surgery for a surgeon whose credentials and research both support the work he does. Dr. Rikesh Parikh is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He also holds Fellow status with the American College of Surgeons. He completed his surgical training at Vanderbilt University and treats patients from Seattle and Bellevue at RP Plastic Surgery’s state-accredited surgery center.

His approach to combining procedures rests on evidence. Dr. Parikh co-authored a published study analyzing outcomes across 183,914 aesthetic surgical procedures performed in accredited facilities. The research examined whether combined operations can be performed safely. It shapes how he evaluates every multi-procedure case, including whether a given patient is a good candidate for one at all.

Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck FAQs

• Will I have a vertical scar?

  A Fleur de Lis leaves a vertical scar down the center of the abdomen in addition to the horizontal one. It softens and lightens considerably over the first twelve to eighteen months, though it stays visible on close inspection. Dr. Parikh provides scar care instructions, and following them closely makes a real difference in the final appearance.

• Do I really need the vertical incision?

  Only when the excess skin calls for it. The vertical incision exists to remove tissue a horizontal incision can’t reach. It isn’t worth the additional scar when a standard tummy tuck would get you the same result. Dr. Parikh will recommend the less involved option whenever it’s the right one.

• How much longer is recovery compared to a standard tummy tuck?

  Plan on two to three weeks away from work, compared with one to two weeks for a standard tummy tuck. The additional incision means additional healing. Patients who build in that extra time tend to have an easier recovery.

• Can a Fleur de Lis correct a previous tummy tuck?

  Yes, and this is a common reason patients come in. When a previous tummy tuck flattened the front of the abdomen but left the waist undefined, a Fleur de Lis can remove the remaining tissue along the sides. Dr. Parikh reviews prior surgical history carefully before recommending it.

• Is a Fleur de Lis tummy tuck covered by insurance?

  Cosmetic procedures fall outside standard insurance coverage, and the Fleur de Lis is no exception. Financing options are available if you’d prefer to spread the cost over time.

Find Out Where You Stand

Maybe the skin around your waist hangs outward rather than down. Maybe a previous tummy tuck left you flatter but without a defined waist. Either way, the Fleur de Lis may be the technique that addresses it.

Dr. Rikesh Parikh will look at your anatomy, walk you through your options, and recommend the approach that fits your goals. Book a consultation with Dr. Parikh today!