How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

My Tummy Tuck Cost Me $11,200

The average cost of Tummy Tuck in the U.S. is between $3,000 and $10,000. Costs vary due to patient health, geographical location, which surgeon you use, the operating facility and other factors.

These are the costs that I paid for a Tummy Tuck with Lateral Thigh Lift Operation in Central Florida. The fees and prices cover my entire costs including pre-operation, surgery and post-operation recovery periods. A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding typical Tummy Tuck costs is also provided.

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*Tummy Tuck and Lateral Thigh Lift, Dec. 2007: ($10,000 for the doctors fee and $1200 for the anesthesia fee) Doctors fee included facility and support personnel. Note: I was surprised to find that they required payment in full prior to the operation. They also require a $500 deposit when they scheduled the operation. Good thing they took Amex.

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A Tummy Tuck is an elective plastic surgery and is usually not covered by insurance, therefore it is an "out of the pocket" expense. Paying for a Tummy Tuck operation can be handled in a number of ways. Some surgeons demand full payment before they perform the surgery. Others offer special financing and payment plans providing an affordable Tummy Tuck for their patients. Other options to pay for your Tummy Tuck include paying with a credit card or financing through a financial institution.

The total cost of a Tummy Tuck include the anesthesia fee, the fee for the operating room, the surgeon's fee as well as all of the non-surgical expensed you will incur such as lab work fees, post-operative recovery materials, doctor's fees and more (see table). The surgeon's fee, may vary widely and is based upon the complexity of the surgery and the surgeon's experience. The average cost of Tummy Tuck in the U.S. is between $3,000 and $10,000.

The complexity of the procedure is often based upon what type of Tummy Tuck (mini tummy tuck or full tummy tuck) you have performed and if you need liposuction or other surgical procedures such as thigh lifts or breast surgery. The more complex the surgery, the higher the cost.

It should be noted that the surgeons fee is one of the major factors in the high cost of the Tummy Tuck Surgery. Board certified plastic surgeons with experience in Tummy Tuck procedures are in high demand and the more in demand a surgeon is, the higher the cost will be. Selecting a good surgeon, however, is crucial to a good Tummy Tuck.

Something important to consider: Sometimes complications occur. Complications may not be covered by insurance or any reconstructive surgery to repair the damage. Check it out beforehand.

Tummy Tuck Costs

1. How much is the cost of Tummy Tuck?
   Tummy tucks cost a lot of money. The cost of a tummy tuck varies with patient health, geographical location, which surgeon you use, the operating facility and other factors.

2. How much does the typical or average Tummy Tuck cost? What is average cost of Tummy Tuck?
   The average cost of a tummy Tuck is between $3,000 to $10,000 in the United States.

3. What are the hidden costs associated with a Tummy Tuck operation?
   The cost of a tummy tuck includes lab work, pre and post-operative check-ups, visits to family doctor to get "approval for surgery", medicines, post-operative garments, home health care support if you live alone, transportation costs after surgery since you won't be able to drive, and possible loss of pay from work.

4. Is financing available for a Tummy Tuck?
   Sometimes. Depends on your surgeon or financial institution. One option you may be able to use is financing your Tummy Tuck with your credit card.

5. Can a Tummy Tuck Costs be paid for in installments?
   Sometimes. Depends on your surgeon, financial institution or credit card.

6. Do I have to make full tummy tuck payment up front?
   I had to, but that is not necessarily the case. Many surgeons offer financing or payment plans for Tummy Tucks. Others will accept credit cards.

7. Does insurance cover Tummy Tuck Surgery Cost?
   The cost of a tummy tuck is not usually covered by insurance. A portion of the cost may be covered if there is a valid medical reason. Check your policy to be sure if the cost of tummy tuck surgery is covered.

8. How much would the anesthesia for a Tummy Tuck cost?
   My cost of a tummy tuck anesthesia fee was $1,200. Anesthesia fees are usually pretty standard and easy to estimate compared to the surgeon's fee.

9. If I cancel my Tummy Tuck surgery will my money be refunded?
   Depends on your reasons and your surgeons policies.

10. Can I pay for my Tummy Tuck with my credit card?
    I did. Many surgeons accept credit cards to pay for Tummy Tucks.

11. What is the cost for a Tummy Tuck in my city?
    Tummy tucks cost more in one city than another. I know of no central database that has lists the costs of tummy tucks by city. You will have to go for a tummy tuck consultation with a surgeon in your city to find out.

12. How much does a Mini Tummy Tuck cost?
    A mini tummy tuck, sometimes called a partial abdominoplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the area below the navel and is less expensive than a full tummy tuck which removes skin and fat from the entire abdominal area (above and below the navel). The mini tummy tuck is popular for women looking to return to pre-pregnancy abdominal firmness. The average cost of a mini tummy tuck operation is about $3,000.

13. Would a Tummy Tuck cost more for a man or a women?
    The cost of a tummy tuck is basically the same for a male Tummy Tuck or a female Tummy Tuck.

14. Is there such a thing as a Low Cost Tummy Tuck?
    A low cost Tummy Tuck sounds like a scary thing and is something I would be extremely wary about. You get what you pay for .

15. Where can I find an affordable Tummy Tuck?
    Affordable Tummy Tuck means different things to different people. If the cost of a tummy tuck is a big factor in your decision to get a Tummy Tuck or not, start off by doing all you can to get healthy, fit and down to your ideal weight. The less work the surgeon has to do, the less the overall cost and impact to your body. Once you are prime condition for your Tummy Tuck then start shopping around for a bargain just like you would for anything else. Costs vary from city to city and from state to state. Just remember to check out your surgeon and facility thoroughly.

16. What is the cost of an Abdominoplasty?
    Abdominoplasty cost is $5,263 (national average in 2006). Figure is for physician/surgeon fees only and do not include fees for the surgical facility, anesthesia, medical tests, prescriptions, surgical garments, or other miscellaneous costs related to surgery. Source: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for statistical data.

17. If I wait, will the cost of a tummy tuck be cheaper next year?
    Probably. As the popularity of tummy tucks grows and the safety of tummy tucks increases the costs of tummy tucks should decrease. However a tummy tuck is more about a person's self image rather than cost.

Is the average cost of tummy tuck surgery cheaper in other countries?

Cost of Tummy Tuck surgery is cheaper in many countries outside of the United States. See table. Keep in mind that the cost of tummy tuck surgery varies with the kind of problem, type and complexity of the procedure and the health of the patient.

Tummy Tuck Cost Comparison Abroad

Tummy tucks cost the least in Cuba ($1,831)
Tummy tucks cost the most in the UK ($8,418 ).

Tummy Tuck Feedback Messages

The following Reader Comments are relevant to the subject of this page.
To read all Tummy Tuck Feedback click here.

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Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 11:21 PM
Subject: Tummy Tuck Prices

If I pay cash for all, would that be cheaper? Thanks,
Henna

Response - Henna,

That would depend on the individual doctor that you choose. I suspect that some would not take cash for payment of a tummy tuck. Others may only be too happy to.

Best regards,
Tanner

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Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 4:59 PM
Subject: Tummy Tuck Costs

I want to have a tummy tuck in the United states.  I do not have credit card nor insurance and will prefer to pay cash before the surgery.  What is the total cost? Please advise asap. Thanks.
Nene

Response - Nene

A few years ago the average cost of Tummy Tuck in the U.S. was between $3,000 and $10,000 ($3,000 sounds a little on the cheap side to me).

I doubt that anybody will be able to tell you what the total cost will be without you going in for a specific tummy tuck examination and consultation. Costs vary quite a bit because of the patient's health, geographical location, which surgeon you use, his popularity and how "in demand" he is, the operating facility and many other factors.

Since I don't know what country you are in or the specifics of your situation there is not much I can tell you about costs. I do know that you may face additional challenges because you don't have a credit card or insurance (especially a credit card). I'm not sure how many surgeons deal on a "cash basis" only.

You might want to try the following:
- See if your family doctor can give you advice on how to proceed.
- Try to find other people in your area who have had a tummy tuck in the United States and ask them about their experiences and costs.
- Search the online tummy tuck forums and ask your questions there looking for other people with similar experiences.
- Visit the websites of U.S. tummy tuck surgeons and tell them your situation and ask them how to proceed.
- If you do have a tummy tuck in the United States I would plan on spending enough time here for you to recover sufficiently before you go home. "How much time" would be one of the questions that I would ask the specific surgeons during your research.

You have a lot of planning and research to do. Good luck.

Best regards,
Tanner

Sent: Monday, July 21, 2010 3:36 PM
Subject: Tummy Tuck Costs

Thanks so much; this is very helpful.
Nene