The price of a tummy tuck is dependent on a lot of different factors. The most important factor is where you live. The cost of living varies widely from place to place, so it makes sense that the price of plastic surgery would vary as well. Another factor influencing the price is how much time has passed since your last surgery. If you are having multiple procedures done, like a tummy tuck and a breast lift, that will also affect the cost.
In general, the average cost for a tummy tuck ranges between $5,000 and $7,500. Some surgeons may charge more than this amount or less than this amount depending on their experience and popularity within the local community. You should not feel pressured into choosing one surgeon over another because one charges less or more than another; each surgeon has his or her own style when it comes to performing tummy tucks and each patient’s needs are unique in some way or another.
The price of a tummy tuck depends on several factors, including the surgical technique used, the type of anesthesia you receive, how much excess skin is removed, and if additional procedures are done at the same time.
In general, the average cost of a tummy tuck can range from $5,000 to $10,000. It is important to note that this cost does not include any fees charged by your surgeon’s office for their services (i.e., facility fees).
While many people think that insurance will cover all or part of their tummy tuck costs, this is often not the case. Most insurance companies will cover only medically necessary procedures as determined by your doctor and approved by your insurance company. A tummy tuck may be deemed medically necessary for some women but not for others. If you have questions about whether or not your procedure will be covered by your insurance carrier or other payers, please contact them directly.
Fast facts
About
- Mini tummy tucks tighten the area of the stomach between your belly button and pubic area.
- They’re most effective for people who are within their recommended weight range but have a little pooch — maybe from pregnancy or quick weight gain — that doesn’t seem to flatten with diet or exercise.
Safety
- Mini tummy tucks are typically considered safe.
- However, risks include infection, irregular scarring, or fluid accumulation under your skin.
Convenience
- Mini tummy tucks are an in-office procedure that should only be done by a certified plastic surgeon.
- Recovery can take 6 weeks or more.
Cost
- A mini tummy tuck in the United States typically costs between $3,500 and $8,000.
- This cost depends on the surgeon and where you live.
Efficacy
- Mini tummy tucks are an effective way to flatten and tighten your lower stomach.
- The results are typically permanent.
What is a mini tummy tuck?
A mini tummy tuck is less invasive than a full tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty.
Mini tummy tucks target the area of your stomach under your belly button. They’re often effective for people who are within their recommended weight range but have extra skin or fat, sometimes called a pooch, that’s hard to get rid of with diet and exercise alone.
What Is The Price For A Tummy Tuck
The price of a mini tummy tuck will vary depending on the surgeon you’re seeing and where you live.
Generally, a tummy tuck in the United States will fall somewhere between $3,500 and $8,000. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for a tummy tuck in 2019 was $6,092.
So, you may want to get several opinions to find a plastic surgeon who fits within your budget. Because it’s an elective cosmetic procedure, a mini tummy tuck won’t be covered by your insurance.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
A full abdominoplasty involves:
- making a large incision across the lower tummy, from hip to hip, just above the pubic area
- making a second incision to free the belly button from the tissue that surrounds it
- separating the skin from the abdominal wall
- realigning the abdominal muscles
- removing excess fat and skin
- cutting a new hole for the belly button and stitching this back in place
- pulling together the remaining skin and stitching it in place
The operation can take between 2 and 5 hours. Most people need to stay in hospital for a few nights.
You will probably be in some pain after you wake up from the general anaesthetic. Painkilling medicine can be provided if needed.
You will leave hospital with dressings and a pressure garment (corset) on your tummy, or tummy-control pants. Someone will need to drive you home and stay with you for the following 24 hours.
How does a mini tummy tuck work?
A mini tummy tuck flattens the lower abdomen and can help eliminate the pooch that often occurs in the lower belly.
During the procedure, the muscles in your lower abdomen may be sutured together, but this isn’t visible from the outside. Excess skin will be trimmed and laid flat.
In some cases, liposuction will be done to remove excess fat.
A mini tummy tuck may get rid of certain stretch marks, too. Whether or not your stretch marks will be removed really depends on their placement on your body and how much excess skin you have.
Diastasis recti, the separation of ab muscles, often occurs during pregnancy. It affects your full stomach above and below your belly button (think the six-pack muscles), so a full tummy tuck is a better course of action to
Procedure for a mini tummy tuck
During a mini tummy tuck procedure, an incision about 4 to 8 inches long will be made to your lower abdomen.
This is about the length of the average C-section scar. In fact, if you’ve had a C-section, they’ll likely use the same incision for a mini tummy tuck, although it may be longer.
The surgeon may tighten loose muscle and remove any excess skin, resulting in a flatter lower stomach. Results are best if you’re close to your original weight and not planning to get pregnant again.
Targeted areas for treatment
As you probably guessed from the name, a mini tummy tuck targets your tummy, specifically the lower part of your stomach between your belly button and pubic area.
Your belly button won’t be changed with a mini tummy tuck, whereas with a full abdominoplasty, it would change.
If you’re looking to flatten your entire stomach from the rib cage down, a full tummy tuck is likely the better option.
What to expect
You’ll likely wear an abdominal binder for several weeks to help support your abs as they heal.
You’ll see some results immediately, but you’ll see the full results once the swelling goes down, around 6 weeks.
Results should be permanent, barring weight gain or pregnancy.
Before-and-after pictures
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When deciding whether the procedure is right for you and your body, it can be helpful to see before-and-after photos of real people who’ve had tummy tucks. Below you’ll find some before-and-after pictures.
Preparing for a mini tummy tuck
Days before your scheduled mini tummy tuck, you’ll likely need to get a blood panel to make sure you’re in good health.
You may also be told to:
- stop smoking
- limit alcohol
- refrain from taking anti-inflammatory drugs (like aspirin) and certain herbal supplements, which may worsen bleeding or prevent proper clotting
Mini tummy tuck vs. full tummy tuck
During a full tummy tuck, your doctor will put you under anesthesia. They’ll then make a horizontal incision above your pubic hairline.
If your muscles have stretched, they’ll be sewed together so they tighten. Sometimes liposuction will also be done to remove excess fat.
Then the skin will be pulled taut around your abdomen to create a flat stomach. Excess skin will be cut off. In some cases, a surgeon will reshape your belly button.
A full tummy tuck can better correct diastasis recti, a splitting of the ab muscles that often occurs during pregnancy.
The difference is that a mini tummy tuck is only performed on the lower abdomen, while a full tummy tuck is done on a larger area of the stomach.
How to find a provider
A mini tummy tuck should be performed only by a board-certified plastic surgeon — and if the price for the procedure seems too good to be true, it probably is.
You may want to meet with the surgeon beforehand to talk about your desired results and what to expect from the procedure, as well as to see before-and-after photos of real clients.