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Home/Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck: what it is, what it costs, and who it's for
Procedure guide

Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck: what it is, what it costs, and who it's for

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck adds a vertical incision to the standard horizontal one, correcting skin excess in two directions instead of one. It is most common after major weight loss, and it typically costs more than an extended tummy tuck for that reason.

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What it is

Two incisions, not one

A standard tummy tuck uses a single horizontal incision. Fleur-de-lis adds a second, vertical incision down the midline — named for the resulting T- or anchor-shaped scar pattern. The combination lets a surgeon remove skin that hangs both across the waist and down the center, which a horizontal-only incision cannot correct.

  • Typical planning range: $18,000–$30,000
  • Most common after massive weight loss (bariatric surgery or GLP-1 medication)
  • Usually discussed alongside, not instead of, an extended tummy tuck
Extended, for comparison

Extended tummy tuck

An extended tummy tuck lengthens the horizontal incision toward the flanks but keeps it a single line. It solves side-to-side excess without adding a vertical scar. Fleur-de-lis is the next step up when horizontal correction alone would leave a visible vertical fold.

Candidacy

Who actually needs the vertical incision

The vertical scar is a real, permanent tradeoff, so surgeons generally reserve fleur-de-lis for patients who have loose skin in both directions — not just as an upgrade for a bigger horizontal correction. You are more likely to be a fleur-de-lis candidate if:

  • You have lost significant weight (often 100+ lbs, through bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medication, or diet and exercise)
  • Loose skin hangs vertically down the center of your abdomen, not just around the waist
  • A surgeon has told you a standard or extended tummy tuck would leave a visible vertical roll of skin
If your excess skin is mostly horizontal, a standard or extended tummy tuck typically achieves a similar result for less money and a smaller scar. Get a second opinion if fleur-de-lis is the first option offered.
Cost drivers

What drives the higher cost

Fleur-de-lis costs more than extended for structural reasons, not just because it sounds more advanced.

  • A second incision means more operating time — often 4–6 hours versus 3–5 for extended
  • More complex closure and drain management across two incision lines
  • Frequently performed alongside panniculectomy-level skin removal after major weight loss
  • Usually requires an accredited surgical center or hospital setting, not an office suite
What to ask

What to ask at consultation

Because this procedure sits at the high end of tummy tuck pricing, ask specifically before agreeing to it.

  • Why fleur-de-lis is being recommended over an extended tummy tuck
  • Whether the quote includes both incisions or itemizes them separately
  • What the vertical scar will look like and where it will sit
  • Whether any portion could qualify as medically necessary panniculectomy
Financing

Estimated monthly cost on a $24,000 midpoint

Because fleur-de-lis is rarely covered by insurance, most patients finance the full cost. Example amortized payments at a 11.9% APR:

24-month plan~$1,130/mo
36-month plan~$800/mo
60-month plan~$530/mo

These are not 0% promotional terms — a lower advertised rate usually means a shorter term or deferred interest. Confirm the real APR before signing.

Next step

Check financing before comparing surgeon-specific quotes

Fleur-de-lis sits at the higher end of tummy tuck pricing. Understand your monthly payment comfort zone before you start collecting quotes.

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Use quote comparison later, after you understand the likely cost range and payment path.

Estimate limits

Use this site as a planning tool, not a clinic quote

The ranges on this site are built to help you budget and compare offers before a consultation. They are not surgeon-specific quotes, financing approvals, or medical advice.

Final pricing can move with anatomy, scar burden, facility setting, bundled aftercare, and whether liposuction, revision work, or muscle repair is included.

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Trust and methodology

How we estimate costs

Last updated: April 2026

How we estimate costs: Estimates are based on aggregated pricing references, regional market benchmarks, procedure complexity, and common provider pricing patterns. Actual prices vary by surgeon or provider, location, candidacy, facility, anesthesia, technology, and individual treatment needs.

Data sources and limitations: These pages are built for budgeting and quote comparison using public fee references, market benchmarks, and common packaging patterns. They are directional estimates, not provider quotes or financing offers.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical or financial advice. Always consult a qualified provider and review financing terms carefully before making a decision.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck?
A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck combines the standard horizontal hip-to-hip incision with a second vertical incision down the midline. Removing skin in both directions corrects excess that a standard or extended tummy tuck cannot reach, which is why it is most often discussed after major weight loss.
How much does a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck cost?
A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck typically runs $18,000–$30,000 nationally, above a standard extended tummy tuck's $12,000–$28,000. The added vertical incision means more operating time and more complex closure, which is what drives the higher price.
How is a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck different from an extended tummy tuck?
An extended tummy tuck lengthens the standard horizontal incision out toward the flanks but stays a single horizontal line. A fleur-de-lis adds a second, vertical incision down the center of the abdomen, correcting excess skin both across and up-and-down. It is a different correction pattern, not just a bigger version of the same procedure.
Who is a good candidate for a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck?
Candidates most often have lost significant weight and have loose skin that hangs in both directions — side to side and top to bottom. Someone with mostly horizontal excess is usually better served by a standard or extended tummy tuck, which costs less and leaves less visible scarring.
How long is recovery from a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck?
Recovery typically runs 4–8 weeks before returning to normal activity, similar to or slightly longer than an extended tummy tuck, since the vertical incision adds another healing site. Most surgeons recommend 6–8 weeks in a compression garment and limiting strenuous activity for at least 6 weeks.
What does the fleur-de-lis scar look like?
The tradeoff for the extra correction is a visible vertical scar running from roughly the pubic area up toward the ribcage, in addition to the standard horizontal scar. Surgeons typically place the vertical line along the natural midline to keep it as inconspicuous as possible, but it is a permanent, visible tradeoff patients should discuss directly with their surgeon before committing to this procedure over an extended tummy tuck.
Is a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck covered by insurance?
Rarely, and only under the same medical-necessity path as a panniculectomy — documented rashes, infections, or functional impairment from overhanging skin. The cosmetic contouring portion of a fleur-de-lis procedure is not covered even when a panniculectomy component is. See the panniculectomy insurance guide for what medical documentation typically requires.