As one of the more popular cosmetic surgeries available today, one of the most often asked questions about tummy tucks involves how much the surgery costs.  While most people want a particular number, it really is impossible to provide a definitive answer for all of our readers.

As a result, we will provide a price range and then discuss some of the factors that play into this cost.

First, it will usually cost somewhere between $3K and $10K for this procedure.  With that said there are numerous variables which will either lower that cost or drive it higher.  For those of you who must simply have a more definitive answer, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have found that the average tummy tuck costs $5,264.

The most significant of these factors is the type of tummy tuck performed.  There are three main types of tummy tucks:  the mini tummy tuck, the traditional tummy tuck, and the extended tummy tuck.

As you would think, it will cost significantly less to have a mini tummy tuck (where the surgeon only operates on the area below the navel) than it would for an extended tummy tuck (where the surgeon also operates on your backside).

The next variable that plays into the final cost is where the procedure will be performed.  Generally speaking, the procedure can be performed in the hospital, a separate operating facility, or the surgeon’s medical suite.  The cheapest of these three options is usually the surgeon’s medical suite, if available.

In addition to these two variables, there are also other miscellaneous fees that you will have to pay.  These items include anesthesia, the hospital stay, the lab work and other diagnostic tests, and pain medications.  These items are usually not part of the tummy tuck surgeon’s fee structure.

At this point, you may be wondering why we seem so concerned about the cost of a tummy tuck.  Unfortunately, since most insurance companies consider this procedure to be an elective surgery procedure, they will not reimburse you for it.  The only way an insurance company will pay for this procedure is if it is deemed medically necessary.  Furthermore, if you can get your insurance company to cover the surgery, they will very likely raise your monthly insurance premiums.

As we have demonstrated above, the cost of a tummy tuck is fairly expensive.  With the procedure ranging between the $3,000 and $10,000 price points, it is useful to understand some of the factors that play into that figure. 

If you would like additional information on this subject, we recommend you contact a surgeon today for a consultation.