How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

Mar 7, 2014 by Patricia    No Comments    Posted under: Health & Beauty

What’s on this page:

The cost of a tummy tuck depends on several factors, including location, doctor experience, type of procedure, and extensiveness of the procedure. Generally speaking, these procedures are more common in larger cities, and prices reflect this.

A tummy tuck, or an abdominoplasty, gives the patient a tighter, flatter stomach by tightening the abdominal muscles through surgery. The doctor will also remove excess skin and fat in the midsection, resulting an a tighter, fitter abdominal area.

Typical Tummy Tuck Procedures

There are two types of tummy tuck procedures, a partial, also called a mini, and a complete. Your doctor will help you determine what procedure will help you meet your goals of a flatter stomach, and tighter midsection.

Complete Tummy Tuck

• An incision, low across your belly, from hip bone to hip bone.
• The doctor will tighten your muscles manually
• Excess skin will be removed
• Belly button will be removed to allow for more contouring.
• You will have drainage tubes placed to assist with healing.

Partial Tummy Tuck

• Smaller incisions are made
• For those with fat below the navel area.
• Belly button stays in original location.
• Surgery may be done with an endoscope

Both procedures typically require general anesthesia, although some mini tummy tucks may be performed with a local anesthetic only. Both procedures also require post operative checks and have similar risks associated with the surgery.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Tummy tuck recovery can take a few months, depending on your type of surgery and activity level. Generally a surgeon will prescribe pain killers and anti-inflammatories for the first few weeks after the surgery, as pain and swelling are expected. The abdominal area may have bruising and numbness that can last for a few months, and your doctor will be able to help you determine comfortable sitting and lying positions post procedure. During this time it is advised that the patient refrain from strenuous physical activity, usually lasting approximately six weeks. Your doctor will determine how much time the patient will need to take off of work, with a month being suggested at the start, and re=evaluated as the recovery process continues. Both surgeries require stitches and bandaging. The hospital staff will assist the patient in learning how to change the bandaging and how often this will be needed.

Partial Abdominoplasty Cost

The average cost range for a partial abdominoplasty is between $4000-$5000. The use of anesthesia for the partial means that the threshold for this procedure is very similar to the threshold for the complete tummy tuck. The small range of costs is due to the fact that partial abdominoplasty procedures are usually less than two hours, while a complete may last as long as six.

Potential Complications to be Aware of

Any time general anesthesia is administered there are risks for complications. Anesthesia complications probability is very low, but warnings typically include the following:

• Tiredness
• Nausea and vomiting after surgery
• Sore throat
• Dizzyness
• Shivering or shaking
• Headache
• Temporary confusion

The potential complications of a tummy tuck are:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Poor wound healing
• Skin loss
• Skin discoloration and prolonged swelling
• Hematoma
• A heavy scar
• Asymmetry

Costs Outside of the US

Due to the fact that most insurance companies do not cover tummy tucks, the out of pocket cost can be very high in the US. Many doctors outside of the US do not have to pay excessive malpractice insurance, so their procedure costs are significantly lower. Popular destinations for cosmetic surgery, including tummy tucks, worldwide are:

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Mexico
• Turkey
• Thailand
• Ukraine

To schedule surgery abroad, a medical tourism company is used. The costs vary depending on the location, but typical packages that include hotel, airfare, medication, pre-operation lab work, post operation care and the surgery can be as low as $5,000. Medical tourism companies ask for your specific information and photos of the patient to offer an official price quote. Locations are typically tropical, allowing the patient to enjoy a vacation feel while recovering. The tropical location also offers clients a high level of discretion.

Sources:
http://www.themedvacation.com
http://www.plasticsurgery.org