Is This Too Much for a Tummy Tuck?

So I was given an "estimate" for $5400 for my Tummy Tuck. That was all-inclusive (minus pre-op tests and post-op meds). I had less than a lb of excess skin removed from a standard tummy tuck w/o complications. 5 months later I'm being told that my "excision, excessive skin" was $9,075. I would not have gotten the surgery if I'd known it would be double. I also have a bill that shows they put through "exc skin abd" for $1400. I sound like I'm being charged double. Does this seem right?

Tags:

costs

Comment on this

6 Doctor Answers | Asked by k89

Doctor Answers (6)
Community Comments (0)

Cost

There are a lot of details that are missing. Was this a cosmetic tummy tuck or some thing else with a cosmetic component

Cost of Cosmetic Surgery

It is very important to have all the costs of any cosmetic procedure carefully explained to you before the operation. If there is no insurance involved then that cost should be exact, all inclusive and pre-paid before the surgery. If insurance is involved then you will be subjected to deductibles, co-pays, pre-authorizations and denials. It would appear to me that you have many different charges that were not explained to you before your procedure, like a pathology charge of... more

Cost of tummy

It is hard to say without knowing specifically what the charges were for and what your understanding of the fees were prior to surgery. When I give a patient a rice quote, it is understood to be a quote, not an estimate. Like you patients do not want any surprise bills after the fact. You should question your surgeon on the specific charges as well as questioning why you were not informed of these charges ahead of time. I make sure I give patients an exact quote so we... more

Is This Too Much for a Tummy Tuck?

I think we need more details here before giving a good answer so I hope you will resubmit your question. Did you ask your surgeon to put this through your insurance company? What type of facility was used for your surgery - a physician's private facillity, a hospital, or something else. Who quoted you the fee and what did it specify in writing. I think you may be able to get some reduction but let us know more so we might help you.

Your "all-inclusive" fee was perhaps just the surgeon's fee, and not truly "all-inclusive."

If your surgery was performed in a surgeon's own accredited facility, then the cost quote should have included surgeon's fee, anesthesia provider's fee, operating room/facility fee, and perhaps a surgical garment or compression wrap. "All-inclusive" should have been "all-inclusive," and any additional fees would have to come with a pretty good explanation without being a "bait and switch." However, if your procedure was done in a hospital or free-standing surgical facility, then your... more

Is This Too Much for a Tummy Tuck

I am not sure I understand the story here. Correct me if I am wrong, but it sounds like you got an all-inclusive quote, had the procedure for which the quote was given, and that you received a bill for nearly twice the amount. Where does the $1400 come from? If the surgery was done in the surgeon's suite, I don't know why the extra fee. If it were done in a hospital or surgicenter, a bill would come from there and not the surgeon. My advice is to discuss this with your... more