Tummy tucks are one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries. The procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from around the waist, hips, and abdomen in order to create a flatter and more toned look. However, tummy tucks can be very expensive!
A tummy tuck is tailored to each patient’s needs and cosmetic desires, so the cost varies. At Waldman, Schantz, and Turner Plastic Surgery Center and Skin Care, tummy tuck surgery generally costs between $9,000 and $11,000. Factors that can affect the overall expense of treatment include: Complexity of the procedure.
Average Cost of Tummy Tuck in Kentucky
The average cost of an abdominoplasty (a.k.a. tummy tuck), according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) was estimated between $6,000 – $6,100 in 2020. But there are possible additional expenses (more on them below!) that should be considered when booking a tummy tuck.
Here’s an overview of how much tummy tucks cost:
According to RealSelf.com, the average cost of a tummy tuck is $6,786. This figure includes surgical costs such as anesthesia, facility fees, and hospital charges. It also includes surgeon’s fees, which range between $2,000 and $5,000 depending on their experience level and reputation within their local community. Additional costs include lab tests ($100-$200), garments ($150-$300), and medical supplies such as bandages or gauze pads ($50-$100). In this guide, we review the aspects of average cost of tummy tuck in Kentucky, how much is a tummy tuck, does insurance cover tummy tuck, and how much is a tummy tuck in the States?
The total cost will vary depending on your geographic location (i.e., urban vs rural areas) as well as other factors such as whether you have health insurance coverage that will help offset some of these costs (though still not all). If you don’t have any coverage then it may be necessary for you to seek out alternative financing options such as loans or credit cards which may carry high interest rates
- Average Cost of Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): $6,000 – $6,100
- Price Range for Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): $3,000 – $15,000
For candidates considering a tummy tuck procedure, it is beneficial to review the various factors that affect the price of a plastic surgery procedure. The table below provides a general outline of potential cost factors.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN THE TOTAL COST OF A TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURE
| COST FACTOR | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| Type of Tummy Tuck | Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck |
| Provider | Training, experience, specialty |
| Consultation Fee | May or may not be applied towards procedure cost |
| Anesthesiologist Fee | Training, experience |
| Location | Facility fees vary by region |
| Recovery Expenses | Special equipment, follow ups, etc. |
What is a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
Quick overview: An abdominoplasty procedure or tummy tuck is a surgical plastic surgery to alter the abdominal skin, fat, and soft tissues (not abdominal muscles). Tummy tucks are most often used for lower abdomen and body contouring. A full abdominoplasty is a more invasive surgical procedure than its counterpart, a mini tummy tuck, which is less invasive. A mini tummy tuck recovery will require less time with reduced scarring, but also create less dramatic results.
What affects the cost of a tummy tuck?
If you’ve decided that a tummy tuck might be the right procedure for you, it’s time to start considering the financial aspects of a plastic surgery procedure. The variables mentioned above have large impacts on cost. To reiterate, the information on this page is a general guide and consultations with providers always offer the most accurate estimates of tummy tuck procedure costs.
The outline below can help you get a better sense of the questions to ask and factors to consider when preparing for a consultation.
- Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck: A full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) will be more involved, and, therefore, more expensive than a mini tummy tuck.
- Provider: A more experienced board certified or specialized provider will typically have higher consultation fees and procedure rates, however, larger practices may have better financial or incentive options.
- Anesthesiologist: As with the plastic surgeon, experience and training will affect cost. General anesthesia is significantly more expensive than local anesthetics that do not require a specialized anesthesiologist to administer.
- Location: The coasts are typically more expensive than the central U.S.. The 2020 ASPS Report has procedure occurrences broken down by region. The coasts account for 66 percent of all tummy tucks performed in the United States. More tummy tucks means more experienced providers and, therefore, higher costs.
- Recovery: The recovery following a tummy tuck will vary by the procedure type, but may include prescriptions, recovery garments, follow ups, and time off from work.
There are numerous two types of tummy tucks and the most appropriate procedure for a candidate will depend on their unique needs. The table below provides a few more details specific to each tummy tuck type.
Tummy Tuck Cost
The cost of a tummy tuck is often a deciding factor for patients when choosing which plastic surgeon they trust to perform their tummy tuck. When searching for the best plastic surgeon to perform your abdominoplasty, it is important to note that expertise, training, skill, and ensuring the highest level of patient care, safety, cleanliness, and materials are all variables that will affect the overall cost of your tummy tuck.
If the low price for a tummy tuck seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you are hesitant about the low cost of a tummy tuck, you can always do more research by asking questions about the facilities, surgeon’s credentials, and expertise in performing the procedure to make sure the plastic surgeon specializes in tummy tucks and is not cutting any corners. In order to have lower tummy tuck costs, the surgeon may not use the best quality materials or may be compromising the quality of care, service, cleanliness, and safety. Although cheaper plastic surgery may seem financially appealing, plastic surgery is real surgery and you only have one body, so you do not want to bargain when it comes to your safety & appearance.
Since plastic surgery is considered elective cosmetic surgery, tummy tucks are typically not covered by medical insurance. However, tummy tuck surgery involves various costs besides the actual surgical fee for the procedure, such as labs or medications, and some of these costs may be covered by insurance. Typically, the pricing for a tummy tuck and all associated fees is broken down on a formal price quote that is presented to you at the consultation, so you will know exactly what they are paying for before committing to the surgery. We will go over the general breakdown of tummy tuck costs below.
Geographical Location
The cost of a tummy tuck varies greatly depending on the surgeon’s geographical location and the demand for the procedure in that area. The national average cost for a tummy tuck, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, is around $6,000. However, in cities with high demand, like Beverly Hills, the cost of a tummy tuck can range from $12,000 to $50,000.
1. Consultation Fee
The first fee you will pay along your plastic surgery journey is the consultation fee to meet with your plastic surgeon, discuss your goals, and create your surgical plan. Some plastic surgeons do not have consultation fees, but usually, when the consultation is free, you do not meet with the plastic surgeon, you will meet with a nurse or the surgeon’s patient coordinator instead. The consultation fee secures the time and date of your appointment since there are limited consultation spots, and it is typically applied towards the total cost of your abdominoplasty procedure. Every plastic surgery office is different, so it is best to call beforehand and clarify exactly who you will be meeting with at the initial consultation.
2. Abdominoplasty Surgical Fee
The surgical fee or surgeon’s fee is the cost for the surgeon to perform the plastic surgery procedure. There are various factors that can determine the price of the surgical fee such as the surgeon’s expertise, the length of the surgery, the different types of abdominoplasty, and how complex the procedure is. Also, if it is the surgeon’s specialty and how often they perform tummy tucks. The tummy tuck surgical fee is typically the main cost in the quote breakdown since it is the price of the procedure itself.
3. Operating Room and Anesthesia
Plastic surgery is typically performed at a surgery center or hospital. These facilities have fees in order to provide your surgeon with an equipped operating room and staff to perform your tummy tuck, as well as fees to pay the anesthesiologist to administer the anesthesia, and for the anesthesia medication itself. The operating room and anesthesia fees are separate facility costs and are typically charged by the hour, so if your surgery takes longer than the expected time, you will be expected to cover the overage fees. Some hospitals charge flat rates by the procedure for operating room and anesthesia costs, instead of by the hour, so it is best to check in with your plastic surgeon’s office to ask for more details about the facilities they operate at.
4. Post-Operative Surgical Garment
Another cost to keep in mind is the surgical garment you will be wearing after surgery to help facilitate your healing and enhance your results. Some patients purchase more than one garment so it’s easier to wash and dry the garment in-between wears since the post-op garments are typically worn for at least 4-6 weeks after surgery, and you are only supposed to be out of your garment for about a maximum of 30 minutes. The cost of a tummy tuck surgical garment is typically anywhere from a hundred dollars to a couple of hundred dollars depending on the quality of the material and the company that your surgeon prefers for his or her post-op garments.
5. Medications
You will be prescribed a few medications for the post-operative healing stage. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of post-operative prescriptions, even for elective cosmetic surgery, but it will depend on the insurance and your policy. You can always check with your insurance company beforehand so you can calculate the anticipated costs associated with your procedure. Antibiotics are prescribed after plastic surgery procedures to prevent infection, especially if you have drains. Prescription pain medication is also typically prescribed after plastic surgery to help with any pain or discomfort, but it depends on the surgeon. Some plastic surgeons like Dr. Cat Begovic are known for their gentle technique, so Dr. Cat’s patients do not need to take prescription pain medication after tummy tuck surgery, just Tylenol to manage any discomfort.
6. Tummy Tuck Scar Care
After plastic surgery, many patients chose to undergo scar treatment in order to have the least noticeable scar. Scar treatment will vary depending on the size and pigment of the scar, but it can range from topical silicone patches and gel to scar camouflage with medical tattooing.
You can always call your insurance to determine which types of scars and treatments are covered and which will incur out-of-pocket costs.
Tummy Tuck Financing
Payment is due in full before the procedure, but many plastic surgery offices accept financing, meaning you can finance the amount of your procedure upfront and then pay the balance over time, making smaller monthly payments to the finance company. It is always best to check with your plastic surgeon’s office beforehand to see what their payment and financing options are before scheduling.
The Best Tummy Tuck in Beverly Hills
Dr. Cat Begovic is a tummy tuck specialist in Beverly Hills who has an extensive background in performing tummy tuck surgery. Over the years, she has developed her very own special, gentle surgical technique that has little to no pain, a nearly invisible scar, and creates refined, natural-looking tummy tuck results. She has patients that travel from all across the globe to have her signature tummy tuck. She is highly sought after for tummy tuck surgery because of her expertise, attention to detail, and for having the highest standards of safety, and patient care.
Dr. Cat’s patients receive her undivided attention with personalized patient care from start to finish, so her patients heal phenomenally with no complications, which is something you truly can’t put a price on. Dr. Cat mentions “I have had many patients go elsewhere because of price and then 6 months later they call my office saying they went with another surgeon, something got horribly botched and now they are willing to travel to fix it.”
For this reason, Dr. Cat emphasizes the importance of having tummy tuck surgery done correctly the first time because depending on the complexity of the revision, sometimes the errors are irreparable, even for a surgeon like Dr. Cat, who is highly skilled in performing complex revision tummy tucks. You should also consider the cost of medical bills that come with post-op complications. Not to mention, revision surgery is more expensive than the initial procedure because of the complexity. These are all factors to consider when trying to decide on which surgeon you trust to perform your tummy tuck surgery safely and to produce the best possible result. Contact Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery today for a top-rated Abdominoplasty in Beverly Hills!
does insurance cover tummy tuck
There are significant life events that can negatively affect our body, particularly our midsection. Pregnancy, major weight loss, aging, and surgery in the area can affect the look and feel of your abdomen. And regrettably, they are not fixable by diet and exercise alone.
A tummy tuck procedure in San Diego can solve these issues by targeting loose abdominal muscles, mild to significant skin laxity, and excess fat. It can even simultaneously remove stretch marks located below the navel.
Insurance Coverage For A Tummy Tuck
Even though most private insurance companies do not cover tummy tucks, you might be surprised to find out that Medicaid and Medicare may cover some costs of your surgery. However, if your need for the procedure is purely for cosmetic reasons, your insurance will never cover this.
Since a tummy tuck is usually considered elective cosmetic surgery, you will have to prove to Medicare that it is a medically necessary procedure. Medical necessity means that your loose skin gets in the way of performing your daily activities.
Medicare requires that you have a stable weight for at least six months. Moreover, you should explore other ways to address your loose skin in the abdomen for at least three months. You should make sure that your progress is documented by a physician who will then recommend the surgery.
Just like Medicare, Medicaid may also cover a portion of your tummy tuck surgery if excess abdominal skin after a massive weight loss negatively affects your daily life. It also requires documentation from a surgeon who can prove that you have had any of the following:
The tummy tuck procedure has two phases. Your surgeon will contour your belly by tightening the underlying abdominal muscles. Then, they will remove excess skin to make your midsection appear and feel firm. Only the second phase will be covered by insurance as loose skin exposes you to risks of rashes and infection. Frequently, insurance coverage is limited to a panniculectomy alone. This involves removing the excess lower abdominal skin only. It is important to find a provider who contracts with Medicare/Medicaid to see if you are a candidate. Marin Aesthetics does not partner with either of these programs.
Mini Tummy Tuck Cost
According to the most recent statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a tummy tuck procedure is $6,154. This excludes the costs of anesthesia, the operating room, and other related expenses.
In the La Jolla and San Diego Areas, the procedure can cost from $12,000 to $15,000. This will depend on the qualifications of your surgeon, the type of tummy tuck procedure, the anesthesia used, and the surgery site.
Tummy Tuck Procedure Made Easy
The majority of insurance providers do not typically cover a tummy tuck, as it is considered a purely cosmetic procedure. But Medicare and Medicaid can shoulder a portion of your procedure, provided that you can prove with proper documentation that the surgery is medically necessary.
Marin Aesthetics still wants you to reach your body goals, regardless if it is for medical or aesthetic reasons. We offer flexible payment options for a tummy tuck for you to have a well-toned midsection. We will discuss with you to come up with a payment plan that will make the procedure easier for you to avail of. Book an appointment with us to find out more!
We have partnered with CareCredit, which has a long history of cosmetic surgery. Their payment structure is much like a credit card that can offer terms from six to 24 months. Approval is quick at CareCredit, and they offer no-interest financing options!
Alphaeon Credit provides the widest array of payment options to help you reach your beauty goals. The Alphaeon Credit card keeps you moving without any delay. You can finally receive the procedure that the surgeon recommends with the easiest and most flexible payment options.
*The content in this blog is developed to spread the awareness towards plastic surgery. Our blog is not intended to serve as a replacement for an actual in-office consultation with Dr. Marin. As such, the information within this blog reflects the unique cases of our individual patients.
How much is a tummy tuck in the States
For many patients considering abdominoplasty, one of their biggest concerns is how much a tummy tuck cost. There are several different factors that can affect the cost, ranging from the experience of the doctor to the procedure method that is used. If you have been thinking about undergoing a tummy tuck to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen as well as restructure and repair your abdominal muscles and fascia, be sure to schedule a consultation at Boulder Plastic Surgery and speak to our doctors about the pricing of your specific case or for your tummy tuck cost.
The Average Cost of a Tummy Tuck
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for abdominoplasty is approximately $5,241. However, this figure does not include the cost of the operating room facilities, anesthesia, or other expenses related to the surgery.
Here at Boulder Plastic Surgery, tummy tuck cost can range anywhere between $8,500 and $10,000. That estimate does take into account the cost of the surgeon as well as the anesthesia and operating room.
Other factors that may be incorporated into the price of abdominoplasty are:
Although many patients make the price of a procedure their top concern, you should not sacrifice the safety and quality of the procedure for a cheaper price. It’s important to find a surgeon that is experienced, board certified, and that you also feel comfortable with. Dr Kuisle and Dr. Hartley of Boulder Plastic Surgery are both members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in addition to having 50 years of combined experience in the field of plastic surgery.
Set Up a Consultation Today
If you have been considering abdominoplasty and are interested in knowing how much a tummy tuck cost, feel free to contact Boulder Plastic Surgery at 303-578-4193 or complete our online appointment form. We look forward to speaking with you soon!
