Weight Loss Q&A
100%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
3 Reviews
Weight Lossbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Weight Loss Cost: $1,025

Learn about Weight Loss

98 people and 65 doctors are talking about Weight Loss

Get Free Email Updates

$12,000 to Remove Sagging Skin After Massive Weight Loss

asked 2 years ago by prophet469 in Houston
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,249 times
Tags: chest, flanks, sagging, weight loss, costs, fat reduction, skin

I was huge, and lost a bunch of weight. All of the fat would not go away, and I got this sagging gut out front. I went to a doctor in Sugarland, Texas. He told me he could remove the sagging skin, and Liposuction the flanks and chest. Because of the large pockets of skin and fat, the doctor said that I would have to have this done at the hospital. Total cost would be around $12,000, $4,000 for the hospital. Is that too high?

16 answers to $12,000 to Remove Sagging Skin After Massive Weight Loss

+1

Pricing for surgery

Your first concern should be that you are comfortable with your surgeon's experience with this type of surgery. The cost is within the normal range - please consider that doing it in a hospital setting is more expensive than doing it in someone's office but safety should be your top priority (it sounds like your surgeon is trying to be safe). Best Wishes!
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mid-range, but compare carefully

When patients are looking at post-extreme weight loss plastic surgery, be careful to compare the same procedures between doctors. Skin removal alone may not give you the appearance you want. Get a few opinions and then proceed once you have a good idea of the options, benefits and risks. Best Regards.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Check your insurance

Prophet, If your weight loss was following bariatric (weight loss) surgery some of the skin removal, as well as, some of the hospital/anesthesia costs may be covered by insurance. Hospital based surgery is significantly more expensive than office based surgery. I'm not sure what "large pockets of skin and fat" has to do with the operative venue. I often perform full abdominoplasty and liposuction in my office operative suite at significantly reduced costs to the patient. For... more
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Abdominoplasty and Liposuction Reasonable Costs

Abdominoplasty is usually in the $7-8000 range and liposuction is usually 1500-2000 per area (counting both sides as one area). Since you are having surgery at the hospital their may be about $4000 in additional fees for the OR and anesthesia. Your quoted fee of $14000 sounds very reasonable. An even better way to check cost is to look up your procedures on RealSelf.com and check the costs in your area. Always check your surgeons credentials and make sure he is board certified by the... more
David L. Mobley, MD

Sarasota Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cost for Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

You are describing a significant amount of work that needs to be done. With a tummy tuck, and all that liposuction it will probably take about 6 hours to complete the work if turning needs to be done. I've run this through my system and came out with the same result. So yes I think you are right on the money for the surgery about to be performed.
Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+1

Very Reasonable Price

Dear Prophet469, Actually, $12,000 is very reasonable for a post-bariatric tummy tuck plus liposuction. You will pay more for a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon than some guy who is learning plastic surgery on the job after his weekend course. (Unfortunately, these charlatans do exist!) You will pay more for an accredited operating room than the back room of an office. You will pay more for a hospital than a surgery center. A hospital has additional safety equipment that may be necessary... more
Michael C. Pickart, MD

Ventura Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pricing for Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Pricing will vary depending on the exact procedure you need, the surgeon, and location in the country. Any surgery will include surgeon's fees, facility such as a hospital or surgical center or office surgery suite, anaesthesiologist and any implants if needed - which in your case you would not need any implants. Also, hospitals do not always charge a higher rate. Each individual surgeon will have different facility pricing. Do not choose your surgeon based on price alone. The highest... more
Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Prices vary greatly, especially in this economy

I would suggest you see multiple surgeons, obtain quotes for the surgeries you are seeking and then compare the quotes from the surgeons you "clicked" with - be sure to compare "apples to apples" - board certified plastic surgeons, board certified anesthesiologist (this is a big one - you may be getting a certified nurse anethetist) and accredited hospitals or surgery centers. Good luck!
W. Tracy Hankins, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

$12000 for the abdominoplasty and liposuction is reasonable.

Makes sure the quoted fee covers ALL the costs of surgeon, anesthesiologist, OR, etc. The fee quoted is in a reasonable range. Does your insurance cover any of it? Fees vary a lot depending on whee the surgery will be done, so shop around.
G. Gregory Gallico III, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fees vary by hospital and area of the country

You state you lost a lot of weight. Our experience with massive weight loss patients is that the surgery takes longer and the risk of bleeding and other complications is higher than for a patient who is not a weight loss patient. Fees reflect complexity of the surgery and length of surgery. They also reflect the fact that you are more likely to have complications after surgery such as wound infection, wound separation, etc. Your surgeon will need to deal with those complications and the... more
Francisco Canales, MD

Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pricing for cosmetic surgery

There are no standards and regulations for cosmetic surgery pricing and there are personal and regional differences. It is not necessarily true that the most expensive doctor is the best but it is true that the least expensive doctor is certainly not the best. So price should be the last considration even in this tough economy. Most surgeons have reduced their fees to accomodate the economic downturn and will raise them when the economy bounces back. The prices you quote are well within... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Plastic Surgery Price

Doing surgeries at hospitals can be costly, but at times it is of necessity. If you are happy with the surgeon you have chosen and feel comfortable then so be it. I, just like every other surgeon on here dont believe in price shopping. You should be doctor shopping and trying to find the one that you have confidence in. Good luck.
Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction and tummy tuck prices

The fees for liposcution and tummy tuck varies significantly around the country.  If the doctor is good and you trust him/her then don't worry about the price because it will be well worth it.  Remember bad work can last a lifetime!
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

$12,000 for Liposuction and Tummy Tuck fees is a bargain

Be very happy about that cost. That is a great bargain price for all that you are getting done. Many doctors would charge twice that. Good Luck!
David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Fees for surgery

Fees vary throughout the country for surgeon's, operating room, and anesthesia fees.  To get information about board certified plastic surgeon's fees, go here http://www.surgery.org/sites/default/files/2008stats.pdf and it will give you the average around the country.
Ricardo Izquierdo, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cost of Tummy tuck and liposuctioning

There is information on the Internet that can give you some idea if the fees that you were quoted are competitive. Plastic surgery and hospital fees do vary depending on many reasons including area of the country. If you have concerns regarding the price you may benefit from seeing another plastic surgeon to get another opinion regarding the procedures and the prices.
John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question