A fleur-de-lis panniculectomy is a body-shaping surgery for people who have lost a large amount of weight and have extra skin and tissue around the belly. A standard panniculectomy mainly removes skin from side to side. The fleur-de-lis method removes skin both from side to side and from top to bottom. The cuts form a shape like a fleur-de-lis, or lily. This helps the surgeon remove extra skin from the lower belly, waist and center of the abdomen.
This surgery may be helpful for people who have had bariatric weight-loss surgery or have lost a great deal of weight. These patients may have more loose skin than a standard panniculectomy can remove. Extra belly skin can cause rashes, skin irritation, trouble staying clean, back pain, difficulty moving and problems with how clothes fit. Removing skin in both directions can improve the shape of the abdomen, ease discomfort and improve daily life.
During surgery, the surgeon removes the hanging skin and extra tissue through planned cuts. One cut usually goes across the lower belly. A second cut runs down the center of the abdomen, from the lower chest toward the pubic area. This second cut allows the surgeon to tighten and shape the abdomen more fully. Depending on the patient’s needs, the surgery may also include repair of the abdominal wall, hernia repair or another body-shaping procedure.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s plastic surgeons have years of experience to help you choose whether the surgery – either alone or with other procedures – is right for you.
Fleur-de-lis Panniculectomy: What to Expect
Recovery usually takes several weeks, and patients need to limit activity during that time. Swelling, bruising and short-term discomfort are common. Surgical drains may be used to keep fluid from building up. Patients are often asked to start walking soon after surgery to improve blood flow. They should avoid heavy lifting and hard exercise until healing is well underway. After recovery, many patients find it easier to move, feel more comfortable and feel better about their bodies.
This surgery can greatly improve body shape, but it leaves more scarring than a standard panniculectomy because of the vertical cut. For many people with a large amount of extra skin after major weight loss, the improved comfort, movement and body shape are worth the added scar. Good results depend on understanding potential options and outcomes, setting clear expectations before surgery and using careful surgical methods.