Tummy Tuck Costs

Abdominoplasty, better known as a "tummy tuck," is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The majority of people who undergo this operation are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal.

More and more people are choosing to have tummy tuck surgery performed on them to enhance their image, which would inevitability lead to healthier self-esteem and confidence. Many of these people credit their tummy tuck operation for their improved quality of life.

• Over 101,000 tummy tuck procedures were performed in the US in 2003, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
• Tummy tuck operations are the 6th most popular plastic surgery procedure.
• Tummy tuck operations have shown the highest rate of increase over the past 3 years (61%) compared to other plastic surgery procedures.

Indeed, Americans have taken notice of the various possibilities afforded by tummy tucks. However, one of the most significant factors for people who are thinking about undergoing this cosmetic procedure is the actual cost of the operation.

The various costs associated with tummy tuck may vary significantly from $3000 to $8500. The cost of surgery depends on the problem and complexity of the surgical sculpture. When calculating the total price for surgery, you will need to consider several additional costs. According to cost data supplied by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the national average for surgeon fees, relative to abdominoplasty surgery, is approximately $4,461 in 2003. Factors that vary into the cost of surgery include:

• Location of surgical practice, whether it is an urban, suburban, or rural are will influence the cost.
• Surgeon fees - there is a large variation in cost dependent on the surgeon themselves, with the most reputable surgeons generally charging more.
• Medical tests prior to the tummy tuck surgery to evaluate the patient's condition.
• Anesthesiologist fees.
• Operating room fees - whether the procedure will be carried out in the surgeon's office or in a hospital environment.
• Overnight stay at a hospital or the surgeon's facilities will increase the cost - Generally most patients will not require overnight stays unless the surgery is extensive or is conducted in conjunction with another surgical procedure such as a hernia or gastric bypass operations.
• Post-surgery medical prescriptions and compression garments.

In an effort to make the tummy tuck surgery relatively affordable, many plastic surgeons offer a variety of financing options. While most insurance companies will not cover the cost of cosmetic surgeries, a certain percentage of the cost can be subsidized if the operation is performed in combined with medical procedures to repair certain aspects of your health such as hernias. In most cases, your surgeon will be required to submit a letter to the insurance carrier to make the case of tummy tuck surgery as a medical necessity.

Therefore it is imperative that you obtain a comprehensive cost figure during your consultation with the plastic surgeon(s). Also communication with you insurance company is important to determine if there is any coverage. With any cosmetic surgery, this may affect future insurance coverage for you and your premiums may increase.