Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

Abdominoplasty, like most cosmetic surgical procedures is not a “cookie cutter” operation. It varies according to the physical size of the patient, how much extra skin they have, how lax the abdominal muscles are, and whether or not there are other issues such as the presence of a hernia.

An abdominoplasty can require a limited approach (lower abdominoplasty), a full abdominal approach, or the incison may need to be extended onto the hips or even all the way around the back depending upon how much skin needs to be addressed.

Some surgeons take a “regional approach” and will address only the excess skin and fat as well as the muscle laxity. You will probably get a nice result from this approach.

Other surgeons, like myself, will take a more global approach and analyze your trunk circumferentially to see how liposuction and fat transfer (ie to the buttocks and hips) may improve your contours and give you a more natural, sculpted look. I like to use liposuction as part of the abdominoplasty as well so as to pre-contour the abdominal skin and reduce the fat under the skin that remains so as to get a better result.

All these different procedures take varied amounts of time, so cost for tummy tuck vary all over the place! The best advise I can give is to do yourhomework, research your doctors, go on consultations, look at photos of the doctors results and even speak to their patients!

First, you need to make sure you are comparing “apples to apples”

There are a few costs to consider, so make sure when comparing costs, you are comparing the total costs of items 1 – 3 below, or just the surgeon’s fee:

Here is the breakdown:

1. Surgeon’s fee – this is the professional fee that the surgeon receives for the performance of the surgery. It usually includes the follow up care. Some include a limited amount of follow up, however, I never charge for follow up visits, even years later if needed.

2. Anesthesia fee – this is the professional fee for the aneshtesiologist for taking care of you from the pre-op area to the operating room to the recovery room. It generally includes any medications the anesthesiologist may need to give you.

3. Facility fee – this is the fee for the use of the operating room, recovery room, nurses and any supplies (like garments if not charged separately) that you go home with.

4. Pre Op medical examination, prescriptions – these are paid to your medical doctor and pharmacy – the surgeon does not charge nor collect these fees from you. Sometimes insurance may cover part or all of these costs.

Costs vary, by skill and reputation of the surgeon, by geographic area (the doctor and facilities cost of providing these services varies tremendously by area), and by what is actually being done during surgery.

Tummy Tuck, or abdominoplasty is a common procedure for improving abdominal and torso contour after pregnancy or weight loss. The procedure often involves removal of excess soft tissue, repairing of the abdominal muscles, and liposuction to enhance the final contours. The extent of surgery varies depending on the degree of contour changes which need to be corrected. Sometimes just a “mini-abdominoplasty” is required instead of extensive surgery. The fees will vary depending upon the amount of surgery required.

These fees will include the surgical fee and if necessary, costs for the surgical facility and anesthesia. My patients currently are looking at inclusive fees ranging from $4000 to $8000. As I’m sure you are aware please do not base your decision solely on price but rather on the qualifications of your surgeon and your sense that they understand your desires and goals.

The cost of most things in plastic surgery are time based. The costs include surgical fee, anaesthetic fee, and facility fee. It will range depending on what needs to be done. Tummy tucks range from a small skin excision to liposuction, abdominal wall flattening and muscle repair. Most tummy tucks would range from $6-9K. A mini-tummy tuck may be less. Different cities will also have different cost for tummy tuck.

The cost of a tummy tuck will vary depending upon the size of the patient. The price range for the full and extended tummy tuck in our practice is between 8250.00 – 11,000.00. A mini tummy tuck will range between 5000.00 and 6000.00. These prices include your surgery, anesthesia and all follow up visits.

osts of cosmetic surgery vary with geographic location, the experience of the surgeon, and what type of abdominoplasty (and if additional procedures are being included). There is usually a surgeon’s fee, and anesthesiologist fee, and a surgery center fee. In the Los Angeles area, the all-inclusive range may be anywhere from about $6000 on the low end up to $15,000+ if other procedures are included. While price is a very important issue for most people, it is important to understand what is included.

Some offices may add on the cost of garments, there may be lab work or medical clearance issues that need to be taken care of by the patient, and usually all follow-up care is included in the surgeon’s fee for an extended period of time after surgery. Be sure to understand the revision policy that the surgeon offers, and consider purchasing a short-term health insurance policy to cover any complications related to surgery – especially if you do not have health insurance.

And as always, make sure the surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery and preferably a member of ASPS and ASAPS. The surgery-center and anesthesiologist should be certified as well.

The price for a tummy tuck will depend on the market where you live. There are also different types of tummy tucks performed and it can be very confusing as a potential patient to determine what he or she needs. I am a big advocate for recommending a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon to perform your surgery. Even then, techniques differ amongst surgeons as do their results. As an instructor at the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons “Aesthetic Meeting” for the past 4 years, a full tummy tuck is typically performed at Bay Area Aesthetic Surgery. The typical price ranges from $8,000 to $11,000. This will typically include the practice fees, the Operating Room Fees, and the Anesthesia Fees.