How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

Cost is a significant factor when deciding whether or not to have cosmetic plastic surgery done and which plastic surgeon will perform the procedure. And like in other industries, you get what you pay for.

In this article, you’ll find answers to various questions you may have concerning tummy tuck cost. Among the things covered is how much a tummy tuck costs and how you can pay for a tummy tuck without compromising safety for price.

About the data: All cost information, unless stated otherwise, was compiled from user reviews submitted on RealSelf.com. Patients that have previously undergone tummy tuck surgery post their final cost for the procedure on the website. RealSelf then aggregates the data to display averages.

What Is the Average Cost of a Tummy Tuck?

According to the 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS), the average cost of a tummy tuck nationwide is $6,154.

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Bear in mind this is just the average surgeon’s fee and does not include other procedure costs (discussed in the next section).

As for the price range, RealSelf reports patients can expect to pay between $3,175 and $13,375 for abdominoplasty.

Tummy Tuck Costs

If you’re considering tummy tuck surgery, your final fee will include costs such as:

• The surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesia cost
• Facility fee
• Operating room cost
• Medical test prices
• Prescription charges
• Post-op compression garment cost

The estimate you receive over the phone may only include the surgeon’s fee. During your consultation, ask for a written custom quote detailing all related costs for your procedure.

Factors That Affect the Total Cost of a Tummy Tuck

Various factors will affect your total tummy tuck cost, including:

The type of tummy tuck

During your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will examine your anatomy, discuss your surgical goals, and recommend the appropriate tummy tuck for your needs.

The options are a mini, full, extended, or Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. A mini-abdominoplasty, which only focuses on the lower abdomen, is the least extensive hence the least expensive.

Your surgeon’s level of training and experience

Not every plastic surgeon is qualified or experienced in tummy tuck surgery. So when shopping around for one, consider their credentials. Choose a plastic surgeon that’s board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS).

Having a qualified surgeon perform your procedure increases the likelihood of good results and lowers your risk of complications. And this is especially crucial as abdominoplasty has a higher complication rate than other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.

That said, a board-certified plastic surgeon costs more, but you’ll have peace of mind that you’re in good hands.

The anesthesia fee

The anesthesia fee is what the anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) takes home. The amount may depend on several factors, including:

• The type of anesthesia used: local or regional anesthesia is often cheaper than general anesthesia.
• Who administers the anesthesia: physician anesthesiologists charge higher fees than nurse anesthetists. Both are qualified to administer anesthesia and monitor patients during surgery. However, a 2012 study found that when anesthesia care wasn’t physician-led, there was an 80% likelihood of an unexpected disposition (hospitalization or death).
• How much anesthesia dosage is needed: the larger the required dosage, the higher the anesthesia fee. Your appropriate dosage will depend on the length of your procedure, how much you weigh, and your age.

Where you have your surgery performed

Tummy tuck surgery can occur in the surgeon’s office, an ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. Office-based procedures are typically more cost-effective than other practice settings.

The geographic location of your plastic surgeon is also a factor. Having your tummy tuck done in a large metropolitan area will typically cost more, owing to the cost of living.

The number of procedures to be performed

In some cases, tummy tuck surgery may not be enough to achieve your cosmetic goals. So your plastic surgeon may recommend combining abdominoplasty and another procedure like liposuction for enhanced body contouring results.

By combining several plastic surgery procedures into one operation, you can significantly save on the procedure costs. That’s because you’ll only pay these fees once. However, combining multiple surgeries increases the potential of complications.

Types of Tummy Tucks and How Much They Cost

During your tummy tuck surgery consultation, your plastic surgeon will recommend any of the following types of abdominoplasty.

• Full (traditional) tummy tuck: the surgery removes excess skin and fat on the upper and lower abdomen. The average cost of a traditional tummy tuck is $8,325.
• Mini tummy tuck: the procedure addresses the lower abdomen, i.e., the abdominal area below the belly button. A mini tummy tuck costs $6,375 on average.
• Extended tummy tuck: In addition to the entire midsection, this procedure also addresses the hips, flanks, and lateral thighs. A vertical incision that’s more difficult to hide may be required, in which case it’s called a Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. According to DocShop, an extended tummy can range from $11,000 to $12,000.
• Reverse tummy tuck: the procedure focuses on the upper abdomen, i.e., the abdominal area above the navel. The Cosmetic Surgery Associates of Texas states the average cost of a reverse tummy tuck is around $7,000 to $8,000.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost Across the United States

The table below shows the average tummy tuck cost by state.

For the states marked with an asterisk (*), RealSelf has no specific data available other than the average national cost, which is $8,325.

How Much Does Tummy Tuck Cost Across the World

The table below shows the average tummy tuck cost in a few countries.

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of a Tummy Tuck?

Medical insurance does not typically cover tummy tuck surgery because it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. But there are exceptions.

Insurance may cover the cost of a medically necessary panniculectomy a surgical procedure that removes excess hanging skin and fat from the lower abdomen. So you can save on the cost by combining abdominoplasty with a panniculectomy.

Combining a tummy tuck with a hernia repair could also reduce your tummy tuck cost. Your health insurance provider will cover the cost of hernia repair as long as the procedure is deemed medically necessary.

In some cases, abdominoplasty itself may be considered a medical procedure that warrants insurance coverage. But it’s typically performed for cosmetic purposes, i.e., to improve appearance and self-esteem. In this case, insurance will not help pay for it.

Tummy Tuck Financing

Most practices require you to pay for your procedure in advance. And given your medical insurance will likely not cover the cost of your tummy tuck, you might not afford to pay for it upfront. That’s where financing comes in.

A financing company will run a credit check to determine your creditworthiness. If you have good credit, you’ll get approved for financing and given several payment options.

The company will then pay for your procedure upfront in full with the agreement that you’ll repay the loan within the specified time frame.

Just make sure to speak to your plastic surgeon before settling on a financing provider. It could be your surgeon will only work with specific financing companies or may not accept financing altogether.

Your doctor’s office may also offer an in-house financing plan, which may have better terms.

While researching financing companies, you might find lenders with no-interest and deferred-interest options. Both patients and providers have reported having had a good experience with these four companies:

• CareCredit
• Alphaeon Credit
• SurgeryLoans
• MedLoanFinance

Some companies might still finance your tummy tuck if you have bad credit. But the loan will have a higher interest rate as you’ll be considered a high-risk borrower.