Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck in Turkey: Cost, Candidacy & Before and After Results

The fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is a specialised body-contouring procedure for people who've lost a great deal of weight and are left with loose skin in both directions — hanging below the navel and bunching above it. Unlike a standard tummy tuck, it removes excess skin vertically as well as horizontally, using an anchor-shaped incision.

In Turkey it costs a fraction of UK or US prices. This is an honest guide: what it costs, whether you're a candidate, how recovery works, and — importantly — a straight look at the scar, because that's the real trade-off with this operation.

The Pinch Test: A Quick Self-Assessment for Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty Candidacy?

This is a practical self-assessment used by plastic surgeons to help patients understand whether a standard or fleur de lis technique may be more appropriate for them. It is not a diagnostic tool — only a consultation with a board-certified surgeon can determine your candidacy — but it gives you a starting point.

Step 1: Stand in front of a mirror in good lighting.

Step 2: Place both hands on your abdomen at waist level and gently pinch the skin horizontally — pulling it inward from both sides toward the midline.

Step 3: Observe what happens to the skin above and below your hands.

• If the lower abdomen flattens substantially and the upper abdomen looks reasonably smooth: A standard tummy tuck may achieve your goals.
• If significant loose skin remains visible above the waist even when you pinch horizontally: Horizontal tightening alone may not be enough. This is where the vertical incision of the fleur de lis becomes relevant.
• If skin folds are present in multiple directions — both above and below your hands, and across the waist: You may be a stronger candidate for the fleur de lis approach.

This test is a starting point for understanding your skin laxity pattern. Your surgeon will perform a clinical assessment and use additional criteria — BMI stability, skin quality, muscle separation, overall health — to determine the right approach for your anatomy and goals.

What is a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck?

A standard tummy tuck uses a single horizontal incision, low across the abdomen from hip to hip, and removes loose skin between the pubic area and the navel — perfect for the average loosening after pregnancy or moderate weight change. The fleur-de-lis (FDL) goes further. It adds a vertical incision running up the midline, from the pubic area toward the breastbone, so the surgeon can remove excess skin in two directions at once.

The combined incision forms an inverted "T" or anchor shape — which, resembling the lily-shaped fleur-de-lis symbol, gives the procedure its name. This vertical removal is what makes it uniquely suited to major weight loss, where a standard tummy tuck simply can't address the skin bunching across the upper abdomen and flanks.

The Technique Behind the Fleur De Lis Abdominoplasty

Standard tummy tuck procedures typically involve removing skin horizontally, focusing on smoothing excess skin directly below the belly button. A Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck, however, goes further by incorporating a vertical incision in addition to the horizontal one. This dual-incision approach allows surgeons to eliminate additional skin from the abdomen’s upper and midsection.

The shape of the incisions resembles a fleur-de-lis, the French lily symbol, giving the procedure its name. While the incisions may leave visible scarring, they are strategically placed to ensure discreet healing over time.

Fleur-de-lis vs a standard tummy tuck

If your excess skin is only in the lower abdomen, a standard tummy tuck is the better, less scarring choice. The fleur-de-lis is specifically for the two-directional laxity that follows dramatic weight loss.

Are you a candidate?

The fleur-de-lis is a powerful procedure but a targeted one — it's right for a specific situation, not a general "bigger tummy tuck." You're likely a good candidate if you:

• Have lost a large amount of weight — typically 30kg+ (around 80–100+ lbs), often after bariatric surgery or major diet change.
• Have loose skin in both the upper and lower abdomen (this is the key — it's what a standard tuck can't fix).
• Have maintained a stable weight for at least 6 months.
• Have a BMI under 35 and are a non-smoker (or willing to stop, since smoking badly impairs healing).
• Understand and accept the anchor-shaped scar in exchange for significant skin removal.

That last point is the honest heart of the decision — which is why we cover the scar plainly below.

Before & after

The procedure and recovery

A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck takes around 2–4 hours under general anaesthesia. The surgeon removes the excess skin horizontally and vertically, usually repairs and tightens the abdominal muscles, and often combines the procedure with VASER liposuction to refine the waistline and flanks — a combination that gives a much better contour than skin removal alone.

You'll typically stay in Turkey around 5–7 days, flying home once your surgeon approves. Full recovery takes 4–6 weeks (longer than a standard tuck because of the more extensive surgery), with a compression garment worn throughout and heavy activity avoided. The final contour matures over 6–12 months as swelling fully resolves and the scars settle.

Why have it in Turkey?

Turkey has become a primary hub for massive-weight-loss body contouring, with surgeons in Istanbul and Antalya who handle these complex cases routinely — and JCI-accredited hospitals meeting the same standards as top Western centres. Combined with all-inclusive pricing at 60–70% below UK and US costs, it's why so many post-bariatric patients travel here.

But because this is major, technically demanding surgery, the surgeon's specific experience with post-weight-loss contouring matters enormously — verify board certification, an accredited hospital, and a real portfolio of similar cases (including healed scars), and never choose on price alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Last Word from The More Clinics

The fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is a transformative operation for the right person — someone left with two-directional loose skin after major weight loss, for whom a standard tuck simply wouldn't be enough. Turkey offers it at 60–70% below Western prices, with surgeons experienced in post-weight-loss contouring.

The honest key is candidacy and clear eyes about the scar: this is a deliberate trade of a more visible anchor scar for dramatic skin removal. Send us your photos and weight-loss history and we'll tell you truthfully whether it's right for you — or whether a standard tuck would serve you better.

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Related: Standard tummy tuck · Liposuction · All plastic surgery

Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. Prices are indicative 2026 ranges that vary by surgeon, combined procedures and individual case, confirmed only after assessment. The fleur-de-lis leaves a permanent anchor-shaped scar. All surgery carries risks; results and scar healing vary by individual. Choose accredited clinics and board-certified surgeons.