A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, resulting in a smoother, firmer appearance. It’s also known as abdominoplasty. This surgery can help you with loose skin following pregnancy or weight loss, as well as stretch marks on your lower abdomen.
The average cost of tummy tuck surgery can vary significantly depending on where you live and which surgeon performs your operation. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) found that the national average for tummy tuck surgery was $5,819 in 2016—but this price tag doesn’t tell you much about what care might cost at local clinics or hospitals.
In this article, we’ll give you some insight into how much it costs to get ready for tummy tuck surgery and how to save money on this procedure.
Average Cost Of Tummy Tuck By State
Having the title of ‘mom’ is one of the hardest gigs out there, so it comes as no surprise that the mommy makeover is one of the most searched and performed procedures that we see… not to mention, one of the most well deserved and life-changing.
Pregnancy and motherhood for that matter can take a toll on a woman’s body, and despite the exhausting efforts of exercise and dieting, sometimes it’s still not enough to get you back to your pre-baby body.
So, wondering what the cost of such a deserving procedure is? We’re here to break it down for you because we understand that the last thing a busy mom has time to be doing is searching the web for answers with no real end in sight.
When it comes to the critically acclaimed mommy makeover, there are a variety of factors that contribute to the total cost and can vary widely per patient – but we’re here to give you as close to a cost estimate as we can, or at least what to look for when evaluating the cost of procedures.
Details regarding price, the length of the procedure and recovery time are courtesy of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The price of each surgery will vary considerably by geographic region and does not include facility fees, anesthesia, and other surgical costs.
Mommy makeover overview
Let’s start with a simple overview of what a mommy makeover is, and what the procedure typically entails.
Even the healthiest moms who work hard to get their figures back find that the changes from pregnancy simply cannot be undone and exercised away. Excess skin is left behind as that occurs when the body is stretched and pulled, the swelling and subsequent shrinking of the breasts can leave them flat and sometimes sagging.
‘Mommy makeover’ is not a new term for a series of procedures referring to the combination of procedures that surgically restores the pre-baby shape as close as possible. On a basic level, a mommy makeover is some any breast surgery accompanied by any abdominal surgery. By performing these operations at the same time, you’re able to lessen recovery time and get back on your feet quickly.
These breast procedures may include one of the following:
Breast augmentation
Breast lift
Breast augmentation with lift
Breast reduction
A breast operation is paired with one of the following body surgeries to constitute a mommy makeover:
Tummy tuck
Liposuction
Breast augmentation
Average cost: $3,719
If your breasts have lost their volume or are just sagging more than you would like, breast augmentation may be the right choice. After a one- to two-hour surgery, you can walk away with either saline- or silicone-filled implants. It’s a permanent procedure, but sometimes breast implants do need to be replaced years down the road.
While it is essential to have a basic understanding of the other factors that influence the cost of a breast augmentation, one of the most significant is your choice of a breast implant. The price for breast augmentations varies depending on an individual patient’s goals and needs with surgery.
When considering cost as it relates to silicone versus saline breast implants, a key component to think about is the look and feel you are trying to achieve. Are you looking to go with a more natural look and feel, or would you prefer a substance that is a bit firmer but has a similar composition to the fluid that makes up most of the human body?
Silicone gel breast implants are more expensive, as they are filled with a cohesive gel that holds together uniformly while retaining the natural give that resembles breast tissue. These are prepared by the manufacturer and tested for quality to ensure uniform fill volumes. There are several different types of silicone implants, so the cost per implant does have some variability. In the world of silicone implants, there are some such as ‘gummy bear’ or ‘shaped’ implants that cost more than conventional round silicone implants. The surgeons at Austin-Weston offer every commercially available breast implant that is accessible in the United States.
Saline-filled breast implants are more affordable, as they are filled with a saltwater solution much like the fluid that makes up most of the human body, but they are slightly firmer to the touch and are filled by the surgeon during the breast augmentation procedure.
Breast lift
Average cost: $4,636
If the thought of implants makes you uncomfortable, a breast lift may be the way to go to mommy makeover recapture that coveted youthful look and shape. Perky doesn’t have to be a thing of the past – this procedure offers an alternative method to re-inflate sagging, droopy and poorly shaped breasts. Excess skin is removed, breast tissue is lifted, and nipples and areolae are moved or even reduced in size.
Like breast augmentation, side effects can include temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising and scars which will fade with time. It’s a procedure that can take an hour and a half to over three hours to complete, but the good news is that the results are long-lasting. You can’t stop gravity completely, but you can put it on pause for a little while. Most patients should be able to return to work in one to two weeks.
Breast augmentation with lift
Average cost: $6,225
Many women who have had children are excellent candidates for a combination breast augmentation with simultaneous full lift since the breasts tend to stretch and lose shape and volume after pregnancy. However, this procedure can be beneficial for any woman who wants to enhance the size of her breasts as well as reduce breast sag.
Breast Reduction
Average Cost: $5,631
A breast reduction may be helpful for women who experience soreness in the back, neck, and shoulders, or who suffer from pain due to bra strap indentations. Women who want a smaller breast size and improved breast shape can also benefit from a breast reduction.
Tummy tuck
Average cost: $5798
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a procedure that can take two to five hours from start to finish. Your surgeon will remove excess skin, may reposition your navel and will give your weak abdominal muscles new life by tightening the abdominal wall.
A scar is inevitable in a tummy tuck and recovery is slow – you can be back to work and mommy duty in one to three weeks, but it could be longer depending upon an individual’s physical condition. The results though can be a dramatically flatter stomach and narrower waist.
Liposuction
Average cost: $3,200
Body contouring is the friendly term for liposuction, but the procedure isn’t glamorous by any means. Having fat sucked out of your body isn’t any prettier than it sounds – but the results can be amazing and instantaneous. If you’ve ever seen a liposuction on television, it looks vicious, but there are newer methods that do reduce some of that violence by melting the fat first with ultrasound.
Keep in mind, liposuction is not an alternative to weight reduction. It can, however, be effective in removing stubborn fat that doesn’t react to diet and exercise. What this means is – don’t be surprised if your doctor recommends that you lose more weight before embarking on this procedure.
Depending on how much area you’re looking to have liposuctioned, the process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. Bruising, soreness and even some numbness may occur, but the final contour is usually evident at the three-month mark. You can be back to work in about one to two weeks but be prepared to wear a compression garment for up to six weeks to encourage your skin to contract and decrease the inevitable swelling.
Mommy makeover statistics
It’s important to note that the cost of a mommy makeover can vary dramatically from one patient to another and often does not include other surgery-related expenses. The major costs that factor into your total are the surgeon’s fee, facility fee, anesthesia fee, post-surgery fees and cost of implants.
So, to provide a somewhat straightforward answer, the overall cost for mommy makeover surgery can range from $9,000 to $20,000.
But again, the final cost will depend on a variety of factors and variables of the following:
Surgeon selection
Geographic location
Surgical facility
Surgery-related expenses
Surgeon selection
All surgeons have their approach to performing mommy makeovers as they have different amenities at their disposal and varying levels of experience and accreditations.
It’s fair to assume that selecting a surgeon can singlehandedly be the most significant influence when it comes to the total cost of surgery. For example, at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, our four board-certified plastic surgeons have accumulated a combined 75 years of experience, and with that have cultivated an excellent reputation in the Northern Virginia and DC Metro area.
We can only speak for ourselves when we say that each surgery is preceded by an extensive consultation involving computer analysis and imaging technology, as well as the master-eye of our surgeons to ensure that we deliver satisfying and life-changing results for our patients.
Geographic location
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) website lists the national average of plastic surgery physician fees. However, the fly in the ointment is that total prices vary widely among regions, with plastic surgery hotspots like Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles at the higher end of the spectrum.
The reason plastic surgery costs vary based on geographic locations, such as major urban centers, is usually due to higher overhead costs for surgeons in these areas. So, the first step in considering what you’ll pay is looking at fees where you live and how much the cost of living is in that area.
To find ballpark prices for procedures based on location by using the Healthcare Blue Book (it works the same way Kelley Blue Book lists the prices of cars).
Surgical facility
The surgical facility is a major factor to consider not only because of overall cost but because it may put a price tag on the importance of your safety and satisfaction.
The importance of having your procedure performed in an accredited surgical facility by qualified staff is critical in the decision-making process. Do not try to cut costs by sacrificing safety and having your procedure performed at a non-accredited practice or by a surgeon not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
The Austin-Weston Center is a beautiful, free-standing surgery facility located in Reston, Virginia, fully-equipped with five surgical suites. Our state of the art facility features operating rooms fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), an association that accredits office-based surgical facilities.
Our surgeons are board certified in plastic surgery and fully insured, our Certified Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are nationally certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, and all personnel is licensed and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
Surgery-related expenses
You should ask the surgeon directly if these are all the costs involved in your estimate. Since there is no set dollar amount for such expenditures, it is important to explore multiple options by meeting with several surgeons and getting estimates for not only their surgeon fees but also the additional surgical-related expenses.
When determining the cost for a mommy makeover, make sure to account for the following surgery-related expenses:
Anesthesia fees
Prescription medications
Post-surgery garments
Anesthesia fees
The cost of anesthesia for mommy makeover surgery can also vary. With a board-certified anesthesiologist, the price will be higher. With a CRNA (nurse anesthetist) the price will be lower. Another factor that can decrease cost is when a doctor uses a non-certified anesthetist nurse, or a medical assistant to push the anesthetic drugs (and yes, unfortunately, this does happen). Anesthesia fees are by the hour, and if the surgeon is taking his time to make the results as meticulous as possible, the anesthesia fee will be higher. Which can also vary depending on the technique used for the surgery, which can sometimes take longer or shorter to perform.
Looking for information on tummy tuck scars? A tummy tuck can transform the abdominal region by removing hanging skin, removing fat, and making stretch marks disappear. It can also help you to feel stronger by tightening the ab muscles.
One of the primary concerns patients have regarding a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is how much scarring they will be left with permanently on their stomach region.
Here, we’ll provide some insight regarding tummy tuck scar treatment as well as ways to prevent significant tummy tuck scarring.
Tummy Tuck Scar
Whether you have a tummy tuck scar or a revision scar, you’re probably searching for the best tummy tuck scar treatment. Abdominoplasty scars can run horizontally from one hip to the other, and there may be a tummy tuck belly button scar as well. The scar can be hyperpigmented or lighter than the skin around it. When some surgeons rush through surgery and do a quick stitch-up, there can be more scarring than those with a more refined technique. Some patients, post-tummy tuck, can feel self-conscious wearing a bikini or other clothing that shows off a large and noticeable scar. This can cause many tummy tuck patients to seek out a tummy tuck scar treatment. But what is the best treatment for a tummy tuck scar?
An abdominoplasty scar can be minimized by good aftercare. This includes taking steps such as quitting smoking or avoiding corticosteroids, which can slow healing. Silicone gel sheets and silicone topical treatments may also help minimize the tummy tuck scar. Other lifestyle strategies that can help include maintaining a nutritious diet and staying out of the sun. In fact, you’ll want to apply sunscreen once your incision heals anytime you’re in the sun, and be diligent with this habit for the first year post-surgery.
Other Treatments for Tummy Tuck Scars
While oral and topical therapies can minimally offer some help in smoothing out the color and intensity of a tummy tuck scar, there are other scar therapies to consider. Scar massage can begin after several weeks post-surgery. This can soften the scar area and encourage healing. Steroid injections and laser resurfacing can also help minimize the scarring. Both of these can help with scar tightness and inflammation.
What is Tummy Tuck Scar Revision Surgery?
Finally, there is another option to deal with a significant tummy scar and this is tummy tuck scar revision surgery. Typically this is reserved for serious scars that need medical attention. During this surgery, a cosmetic surgeon will remove the scar tissue and carefully stitch the area back to create a less obvious scar. This procedure isn’t something people post-tummy tuck surgery should consider until at least a year after surgery.
Dr. Cat provides tummy tuck scar revision surgery where she corrects errors that other surgeons have created in a previous tummy tuck surgery. This type of scar surgery can also help with scarring from past liposuction surgery. In this procedure, Dr. Cat will address irregularities in the scar, removing excess skin and scar tissue and smoothing the area to create a more harmonious look to the abdominal region.
The Best Way to Prevent Unsightly Tummy Tuck Scars
Scar treatment for a tummy tuck is not a 100% effective solution to scarring. Topical treatments can only minimize the look and feel of tummy tuck scars. And many patients post-surgery don’t want to wait months for tummy tuck scar revision surgery, not to mention the added expense and time for this additional surgery.
Instead, it is better to work with a surgeon who works to minimize scarring as much as possible so that there isn’t a large scar to attempt to deal with after surgery. Dr. Cat understands that patients seek out a tummy tuck for a smoother, more refined belly region. The last thing they want is to undergo the tummy tuck surgery, only to then have to worry about covering up a large scar. That’s why she uses a meticulous incision closure technique.
The Beverly Hills Tummy Tuck Surgeon Who Works Hard to Minimize Scarring
So how does Dr. Cat create a scar so thin and consistent that you can hide it with the tiniest string bikini? First, during the tummy tuck procedure, she closes the incisions in layers. This takes much more time and concentration than a typical incision closer. But, it’s worth the effort, because it produces thin, light, barely visible scars.
Dr. Cat schedules only one surgery per day so that she has the time to dedicate to each patient and provide this high level of care. Giving each patient her undivided attention has been a hallmark of Dr. Cat’s cosmetic surgery practice. She believes no surgery should ever be rushed and would rather perform fewer surgeries each year than cram patients into each day. ‘With my special incision closure technique, scars are basically invisible once you are fully healed,” explains Dr. Cat. “I believe it is important to create the best possible result and incision without any bunching, irregularities, or step-offs. I take extreme pride in my attention to detail with every single step of this surgery.”
Advice from a Cosmetic Surgeon on Tummy Tuck Scars
One thing that impresses prospective patients is Dr. Cat’s before and after tummy tuck photos of her patients. Here you can see how the incision scars are consistent without any bunching or irregularities. She advises anyone considering a tummy tuck to look out for certain issues with tummy tuck scars in the after-result photos.
When reviewing before and after photos, it’s important to look closely at each and make certain that the surgeon you’re considering shows you both photos or videos of the scar at all points in the healing process. Don’t just accept photos from the OR table, those that show one-year post-op, or images that have the patient appearing in thick underwear. Only after seeing exactly what their results look like at all stages will you get a feel for their success in tummy tuck scar minimization.
Schedule a Tummy Tuck Consultation with Dr. Cat’s Team
If you are interested in learning more about a tummy tuck procedure and you want to learn more about Dr. Cat’s meticulous technique that helps minimize scarring and leads to a swift recovery, schedule a consultation. View some of Dr. Cat’s before and after tummy tuck photos online. Her team is happy to show further evidence of how minimal tummy tuck scarring can be with her technique. Find out why patients from all over the world travel to Beverly Hills to seek the expertise of Dr. Cat. With a skilled team experienced in helping visiting patients navigate their surgery and recovery period, Dr. Cat’s team is here to help create a safe and welcoming space for you to transform your body.