How Much Does A Tummy Tuck Cost?

Content Reviewed by AEDIT Medical Advisory Board

What is the average cost of a tummy tuck?

The average cost of an abdominoplasty (a.k.a. tummy tuck), according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) was estimated between $6,000 - $6,100 in 2020. But there are possible additional expenses (more on them below!) that should be considered when booking a tummy tuck.

• Average Cost of Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): $6,000 - $6,100
• Price Range for Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): $3,000 - $15,000

For candidates considering a tummy tuck procedure, it is beneficial to review the various factors that affect the price of a plastic surgery procedure. The table below provides a general outline of potential cost factors.

Factors to Consider in the Total Cost of a Tummy Tuck Procedure

What is a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)?

Quick overview: An abdominoplasty procedure or tummy tuck is a surgical plastic surgery to alter the abdominal skin, fat, and soft tissues (not abdominal muscles). Tummy tucks are most often used for lower abdomen and body contouring. A full abdominoplasty is a more invasive surgical procedure than its counterpart, a mini tummy tuck, which is less invasive. A mini tummy tuck recovery will require less time with reduced scarring, but also create less dramatic results.

What affects the cost of a tummy tuck?

If you’ve decided that a tummy tuck might be the right procedure for you, it’s time to start considering the financial aspects of a plastic surgery procedure. The variables mentioned above have large impacts on cost. To reiterate, the information on this page is a general guide and a consultation a with provider always offers the most accurate estimates of tummy tuck procedure costs.

The outline below can help you get a better sense of the questions to ask and factors to consider when preparing for a consultation.

• Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck: A full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) will be more involved, and, therefore, more expensive than a mini tummy tuck.
• Provider: A more experienced board certified or specialized provider will typically have higher consultation fees and procedure rates, however, larger practices may have better financial or incentive options.
• Anesthesiologist: As with the plastic surgeon, experience and training will affect cost. General anesthesia is significantly more expensive than local anesthetics that do not require a specialized anesthesiologist to administer.
• Location: The coasts are typically more expensive than the central U.S.. The 2020 ASPS Report has procedure occurrences broken down by region. The coasts account for 66 percent of all tummy tucks performed in the United States. More tummy tucks means more experienced providers and, therefore, higher costs.
• Recovery: The recovery following a tummy tuck will vary by the procedure type, but may include prescriptions, recovery garments, follow ups, and time off from work.

There are numerous two types of tummy tucks and the most appropriate procedure for a candidate will depend on their unique needs. The table below provides a few more details specific to each tummy tuck type.

Types of Tummy Tuck and Impact on Cost

What does the cost of a tummy tuck include?

Now you may be asking: what does the price of tummy tuck actually include?The cost of the surgeon performing the tummy tuck is most often what gets quoted as the ‘average price’ or ‘surgeon’s fee’ (i.e. the hourly rate of your surgeon). Keep in mind, your plastic surgery provider has business related expenses (office rent, staff, liability insurance, medical supplies, etc) in addition to their personal salary.

The total tummy tuck cost begins to rise as the additional factors are added. The other medical staff (anesthesiologist, nurses, and surgical assistants), medical tools and supplies (needles, gauze, gowns, gloves, etc.), medications used before, during, and after the tummy tuck while at the facility (sedatives, painkillers, and antibiotics), and the fee for using the hospital or facility’s operating or procedure room.

On top of these expenses, you will most likely encounter other personal costs during your tummy tuck cosmetic experience. These might include consultation fees from interviewed providers, travel expenses, pre-operative care, missed time from work, and recovery supplies outside of what the surgeon provides.

How much does a tummy tuck cost?

At this point, you’re likely wondering: what kind of numbers are we actually talking about? We’ve got you covered. The table below provides estimates by each specific tummy tuck procedure type, inclusive of all of the variables we’ve discussed minus your personal expenses.

Average Tummy Tuck Cost by Procedure Type

How much does a tummy tuck cost across the United States?

Location, location, location! Geographic location plays a significant role in the overall cost of blepharoplasty. The ASPS 2020 Statistics Report shows 66 percent of all tummy tuck surgeries occur along the coasts. Given the high amount of procedures on the coasts, plastic surgery costs in general tend to be higher.

The table below breaks down costs by state. The numbers in this table are from zip codes selected from the capital of each listed state.

Average Tummy Tuck Cost by State

*these states are presented as national averages as specific information is not available

How much does a tummy tuck cost around the world?

For those considering pursuing a tummy tuck abroad, we’ve compiled cost ranges for a few countries around the world. Remember to add in travel expenses, the reputation of the provider and facility, and costs related to recovery times when considering the financial differences. The table below reflects costs converted to U.S. dollars.

Average Tummy Tuck Cost by Country in USD

Does insurance cover the cost of a tummy tuck?

Will insurance cover my tummy tuck procedure? It’s a common question, and the answer is not always simple. It’s a maybe. To better answer this question, let’s review these two definitions from the American Medical Association (AMA):

• Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures for reshaping normal structures for improved appearance and self-esteem.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Procedures performed on abnormal body structures resulting from congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, disease, infection, or tumors.

The difference in the definitions is important. Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance. Reconstructive surgeries possibly are. Hybrid procedures that are aesthetic and functional may not be covered despite the functional benefit.

In the case of tummy tuck procedures, a tummy tuck is sometimes used as part of a bariatric surgery and/or a major weight loss transformation. In these instances, the procedure may be covered if the patient’s provider can document medical necessity and provide evidence that alternative therapies have been failed. The ASPS has more specific criteria you can review with a provider during your consultation.

To make it very simple: if you’re having a tummy tuck and you don’t have a consistently documented diagnosis of morbid obesity resistant to all other treatment modalities, it’s not going to be covered.