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Fleur de Lis vs. Traditional Abdominoplasty
A fleur de lis surgery differs from the more traditional abdominoplasty surgery in a number of ways. But, the primary difference between the two surgeries is the incision.

The fleur de lis incision is where the procedure gets its name. It includes the traditional, vertical, incision from hip bone to hip bone. But, then there is also a horizontal incision from the bottom of the ribs down to the p***c area, intersecting with the first incision. This allows for the removal of loose skin that exists on the lateral side of the abdomen. This extended incision allows for skin to be removed both from above and below the first incision, but then both to the right and left thanks to the second.

This means a greater deal of skin can be removed during the fleur de lis procedure compared to a traditional abdominoplasty surgery.

As such, the amount of excess skin will be what determines whether you need a partial, full or a fleur de lis abdominoplasty surgery. The more excess skin you have the more intensive a procedure you will need.

Fleur De Lis Consultation
During your consultation, one of our UK Aesthetic surgeons will discuss your expectations and desires prior to the surgery. It is important to be honest during this process, as only then can the right surgery be chosen for your individual needs. If you have been told by others to seek a body contouring procedure, then you will not be eligible for surgery.

All health concerns and questions regarding the surgery – including costs – will be explained at this time.

The Fleur de Lis Surgery
Once you have decided upon and been approved for the fleur de lis surgery, there may be some pre-surgery checks to be made. But, this will be decided during your consultation and all performed prior to your surgery. Should you feel ill or your health deteriorates whatsoever prior to the surgery date then it is important to inform your surgeon. Your surgery date will then be rearranged to suit your wellbeing and overall health.

You will be advised against the following prior to your surgery:

Stop smoking at least six weeks prior;
Avoid taking blood thinners, such as aspirin;
Do not take anti-inflammatory drugs;
Or herbal supplements.
During the surgery your excess skin will be removed, your tummy muscles tightened and your belly button will also be relocated. Dissolvable stitches are then used to close the incisions and a compressive dressing will be used. This helps the wounds to seal and heal with good support.

Post Fleur de Lis Surgery
As with all surgery here at UK Aesthetics, you will receive dedicated support and aftercare following your fleur de lis surgery. Typical advice we give during this time includes:

Avoid excessive strain during the first week post-surgery.
Wear a support garment for 4-6 weeks following surgery.
Light exercise can be resumed around 3-4 weeks after your surgery.
Full exercise is possible around 6-8 weeks.
Massage the scar once fully healed to improve the appearance long term.
A fleur de lis wound can take longer to heal than your average abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery wound. This is, largely, due to the area where the vertical and horizontal scar meets having difficulty healing. This will eventually heal given time.

Choosing facelift surgery over non surgical alternatives
The benefits to choosing facelift surgery over non invasive treatments
When it comes to choosing facelift surgery you must make sure you have considered all of your options. This includes deciding whether undergoing surgery is likely to provide you with better and more long-term results than non surgical alternatives.

There are pros and cons to any kind of cosmetic treatment, and they should be considered thoroughly of treatment is decided upon. Booking consultation is a great way to find out more about your chosen anti-ageing surgery procedure, and to get expert advice regarding skin rejuvenation alternatives.

Making your decision
Below you will find three of the most impressive benefits to choosing facelift surgery over a non-invasive anti-ageing treatments. This list is not exclusive and every patient is in individual, so what works for one person may not work for another one.

The advice below is simply to be used as a guide if you are considering moving on from non surgical facial rejuvenation treatments to facelift surgery.

– Long term results
One of the undeniable benefits of choosing a surgical facelift over non-invasive facial rejuvenation treatments is that the results are long-lasting. Unlike treatments such as skin tightening with energy assisted devices or injectables such as dermal fillers, the surgical facelift is designed for longevity.

Whilst a facelift cannot stop the ageing process, it is often found the patients who have undergone this form of facial rejuvenation surgery look more useful in 10 to 15 years than a patient who has not undergone facelift surgery.

– Versatility in the procedure
There is a common misconception that undergoing facelift has to involve lifting the entire face. This however is not the case, and there are multiple forms of facelift surgery offered if you are more concerned about specific area of the face.

For example: a mid-facelift is ideal for patients who are only concerned with skin laxity in the midsection of the face. Whilst there are non surgical treatments that can also tackle ageing in the midsection of the face, in the long term they cannot replicate the results of the mid-face lift.

– No follow up treatments
As all patients who enjoy nonsurgical anti-ageing treatments will testify, there is a certain amount of upkeep and follow-up treatments that are necessary in order to maintain the results. A prime example of this would be fillers, which require ‘top up treatments’ to preserve the results.

On of the clear benefits to undergoing facelift surgery as an alternative is that the results are long-lasting and do not require the patient to clinic every 12 to 18 months in order to maintain the smoothing or lifting results of the injectable product.

Making the right choice for you
Choosing facelift surgery is a decision that should only be made by the patient, for the patient. If you are considering undergoing any kind of cosmetic surgery for the benefit of or to please another person it is advise that you seek expert advice before moving forward.

It is also important to do your research before choosing a cosmetic surgeon. You can read this previous blog post on surgeon selection if you would like more advice regarding how to pick the person to perform your facelift surgery.

Guide to the stages of wound healing post surgery
What are the different stages of wound healing after cosmetic surgery?
A popular question asked by patients before surgery is what are the stages of wound healing like. Before undergoing any form of cosmetic surgery, or indeed any surgery at all, it’s important to understand the recovery process.

It’s vital to understand the recovery process firstly so you have some idea of what the post-surgery healing process is like. As well as this, knowing how to care for your scars and the best scar treatment after surgery is beneficial.

Why do we get scars?
Scar tissue forms when a wound closes and fibrous tissue forms. They often start off red and angry looking, but in most cases fade in time to a pink or even grey colour. They may feel raised and can be itchy in the first year or so after surgery.

They are totally normal although in most cases your surgeon will endeavour to make them as small and neat as possible. The key is to make sure you know what to expect and how to help the scars heal after surgery.

Do all procedures incur scarring?
In most cases, yes. If you’re undergoing a cosmetic procedure such as a tummy tuck or brachioplasty you should be prepared to have visible scars, although most patients agree it’s a reasonable trade to be rid of loose skin.

Breast augmentation scars can often be hidden in the crease under the breast, although with breast uplift surgery the scar may run long the ni**le. Ask your surgeon for advice before committing to surgery.

Can I prevent scars?
Not really, but you can make sure you care for them. If you would like more advice on preventing scars or scar management please ask your medical professional.

What are the stages of wound healing?
The stages of wound healing vary patient to patient. However, most follow a similar pattern. The stages of wound healing proceed in an organised way and follow these four processes:

1. Hemostasis: wound clotting
2. Inflammation: controls bleeding and prevents infection
3. Proliferation: wound is rebuilt with new tissue made up of collagen
4. Maturation: when collagen is remodelled and the wound fully closes

What is the best scar treatment after surgery?
You can care for your scars by massaging them. There is a previous blog post on scar massage here you may find helpful.

I don’t like my scars. What can I do?
In most cases, cosmetic surgery scars are considered a trade for a reduction in loose skin or augmented breasts. If you don’t like your scars, or you are unhappy with the results of your after surgery, you should firstly speak to your plastic surgeon. He/she will be able to give you advice and reassure you.

In extreme cases, scar revision surgery can be offered, but this will still leave you with a scar.

Surgery v non surgical cosmetic treatments
Can non surgical cosmetic treatments ever replace surgical procedures?
One of the most frequently asked questions aesthetic experts are asked is whether non surgical cosmetic treatments can ever replace surgical alternatives.

This is usually asked with regards to anti ageing facial rejuvenation treatments. It is common to combine non surgical cosmetic treatments with surgical procedures when it comes to facial rejuvenation.

In some cases non invasive cosmetic treatments including dermabrasion and dermal fillers are offered in combination with procedures including surgery.

This can be for multiple reasons, but it’s most commonly because skin needs resurfacing or smoothing as well as lifting. A facelift can lift sagging skin on the face but it can’t improve the appearance of skin around the eyes or mouth, for example.

What is the main difference between non surgical cosmetic treatments and anti ageing surgery?
Non surgical cosmetic treatments do not require invasive procedures or surgery. They are suitable for men and women who are looking to make subtle aesthetic changes, most commonly with regards to ageing of the face and neck.

Unlike cosmetic surgery procedures such as the facelift, neck lift or eye lift, non invasive skin rejuvenation treatments don’t permanently alter the structure of the face. Many also require ‘top up’ treatments to maintain the results.

Popular non invasive cosmetic treatments include dermal fillers, dermabrasion, skin peels, muscle relaxing injections and skin tightening. They all offer different results and last various lengths of time.

How to choose between surgical and non surgical treatments
This comes down to what you hope to achieve and the advice of your medical professional. For some patients non surgical cosmetic treatments may offer the desired outcome, but for more advanced cosmetic changes surgery may be required.

A consultation is the best way to find out what cosmetic procedures are suitable. You can book a consultation here if you wish to ask any questions about specific aesthetic treatments and procedures.

Motivations for undergoing cosmetic procedures
One of the most important parts of a patient’s journey is meeting with a plastic surgeon and discussing the procedure they are considering.

At this meeting, one of the surgeon’s priorities will be to make sure the patient not only understand what the cosmetic procedure entails, but also why the patient wants to undergo it.

A patient’s motivations for choosing cosmetic surgery should be clear, and they should always be to enhance their self-esteem. It might seem like a quick fix to some, but cosmetic surgery is a serious decision that should only be made for the individual.

It is the responsibility of the plastic surgeon to turn down any patient he/she believes may be seeking aesthetic enhancement to please someone else or imitate someone, such as a celebrity.