How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

The average cost of a tummy tuck is $8,200, according to 23,726 patient reviews on RealSelf.

This patient-reported price, which includes all related fees, is significantly higher than the average cost of $6,154 reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Why the big difference? They explain that the cost they cite is the surgeon's fee, which is “only part of the total price. It does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses,” all of which can add thousands of dollars to your overall cost.

According to reviewers on RealSelf, the cost of tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) can range from just $4,500 to as much as $20,000. Some in-demand plastic surgeons in major metro areas charge even more.

In this guide, you will learn:

• everything your cost quote should include, to avoid a surprise when the bill comes
• why tummy tuck prices vary so much
• whether insurance covers this procedure
• average tummy tuck costs in U.S. states and major metros

The Ultimate Guide to Plastic Surgery Costs

SEE THE GUIDE

What to look for in a tummy tuck cost quote

It’s easy to request an abdominoplasty price quote from a doctor’s office over the phone. Just be aware that many practices will only disclose the surgeon’s fee, which is just a portion of your final bill. Others will simply provide a range and ask you to book a consultation.

You'll get a far more accurate, complete estimate if you have a personal consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon, and consulting with more than one gives you the opportunity to compare quotes.

After examining you and discussing your desired results, the surgeon should recommend a treatment plan and provide a written quote that details all related fees, including: 

• The consultation fee (which many surgeons apply toward the cost of your procedure)
• Their surgeon’s fee
• The cost of general anesthesia and the anesthesia provider’s fee
• Facility fees, which typically include the cost of surgical supplies
• Follow-up patient care

The consultation is also your best opportunity to find out their policy on charging for revision surgery, if you’re not happy with your initial results. 

You’ll also need to factor in the cost of a post-surgery compression garment (if it won’t be provided) and other recovery supplies, including pain medication and child care (if you’ll need it).

Also consider how much time you’ll need to take off work for your recovery period. This is a major surgical procedure, and your results could be compromised unless you allow time for the abdominal muscles to fully heal.

• Most patients need at least two weeks of recovery time before heading back to work.
• If your job requires heavy lifting and other physical activity, you may need three or four weeks.

How to get insurance to pay for tummy tuck surgery

Tummy tuck surgery is classified as a cosmetic procedure, so insurance doesn’t typically pay for it.

However, there are some cases where insurance will cover a portion of the cost.

• If you have an “apron” of loose skin causing medical, mobility, or intimacy problems (often a concern after major weight loss), insurance may cover the cost of a panniculectomy, to remove excess skin and fat that hangs below your pubic area.
• Hernia repair would also be covered by insurance. 

Insurance coverage to correct these medical conditions can defray tummy tuck costs by covering a portion of the facility, anesthesia, and surgeon’s fees.

Ask your insurance provider what kind of medical documentation you'll need to support your claim. If they agree that your procedure wouldn’t just be cosmetic surgery, your surgeon should make their staff available to help you through this process.

Why do abdominoplasty costs vary?

All of these factors play into the wide range in tummy tuck prices.

1. Your surgeon’s credentials and level of experience

Tummy tuck surgery is considered safe when it’s performed by a qualified surgeon, but it's not without risks.

It’s important to find a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS). A board-certified plastic surgeon has six to eight years of surgical residency after medical school, with extensive training on all aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery. This additional training means that they can charge more for their services than a cosmetic surgeon, but it also means that you'll be more likely to have a better final result, safely.

Experience is also key. Look for surgeons who have been performing tummy tuck surgery for years (or decades), and who have a solid track record of happy patient reviews and impressive before and after photos.

Keep in mind that the average cost of tummy tuck revision surgery is over $9,000, so it’s much more cost-effective to find a surgeon you can trust to do it right the first time.

2. Their practice location

Tummy tuck surgery costs can vary by U.S. state, city, and neighborhood. As you’d expect, having this plastic surgery procedure in a major city with a high cost of living is more expensive than having it done in a smaller metro area.

For example:

• In San Francisco, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Miguel Delgado says the all-in cost of abdominoplasty in his practice is typically $12,000. "The price includes the surgeon's fee, outpatient surgery center, anesthesiologist, two sets of compression garments, pneumatic stocking device to take home, a walker, Experel (as a 4-5 day local anesthesia), Embrace for scar management, and all follow-up care," he explains.
• In Atlanta, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Nelson Castillo reports that full tummy tuck procedures at his practice typically cost $9,000.

If you want to stay local without overpaying, keep in mind: 

• Prices can vary by neighborhood or practice size, so it may be worth your time to have consults and get personalized quotes from more than one qualified provider.
• You’ll probably get a more reasonable quote from a surgeon with a modest practice in an affordable neighborhood than one who operates a luxurious, spa-like surgery center.

RealSelf Tip: Tummy tuck costs in Mexico or the Dominican Republic are typically 20% to 25% lower than what you would pay in the U.S. For the sake of your safety, it’s vital to thoroughly research your surgeon and the recovery facility before you book. Also make sure there are no current travel advisories from the State Department for your planned destination.

Related: 6 Key Things to Do If You’re Traveling Outside the U.S. for Plastic Surgery

3. The surgical facility

Facility fees for a private surgery center are typically lower than what you’d pay for a hospital operating room. 

If your surgery won’t be performed in a hospital, ask if the surgical facility is accredited by the Joint Commission, the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), or Medicare.

Also make sure your doctor has hospital privileges nearby, so you can be quickly admitted in case of an emergency.

4. The complexity of your procedure

A full tummy tuck procedure (sometimes called an extended tummy tuck), involves several steps:

• repairing and tightening the muscles of your abdominal wall
• removing excess fat and abdominal skin
• repositioning the belly button
• smoothing the remaining skin before closing the incision

This complex procedure can take several hours, and the cost typically falls at the high end of the range.

Some women can get their desired results with just a mini tummy tuck. This shorter, less expensive procedure:

• tightens just the lower abdomen (below the belly button)
• removes enough skin to eliminate a C-section scar and some stretch marks
• may involve minimal muscle tightening

See how much a mini tummy tuck costs.

Other patients choose to get additional procedures at the same time as abdominoplasty, which naturally inflates the total bill. However, it is more cost-effective than having the procedures separately over time, since you only have to pay the facility and anesthesia fees once. Some surgeons even discount their own fees for add-on procedures.

Popular add-ons to abdominoplasty include:

• diastasis recti repair or hernia repair (average cost of this combo: $12,753)
• liposuction for body contouring the flanks and waistline—a combo that’s sometimes marketed as an “hourglass tummy tuck”
• a breast augmentation, lift, or reduction for a complete mommy makeover

During your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will listen to your goals and recommend the best type of tummy tuck for your concerns and budget.

5. Your anesthesia provider’s credentials

Tummy tucks are typically performed under general anesthesia, which comes with fees for the anesthesia itself, supplies, and the provider. 

Board-certified anesthesiologists charge higher fees than nurse anesthetists. Both are technically qualified to administer anesthesia and monitor you during your surgery. Particularly if you have underlying health conditions or your surgery will be long, your surgeon may insist on working with an anesthesiologist because they’re an MD, with additional training. This extra cost could increase your safety.

Related: How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost? 7 Women Reveal How Much They Paid

Can you finance a tummy tuck?

Most practices offer payment plans or accept third-party financing options. For example, the CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures.

How can I find a tummy tuck surgeon near me?

You can find board-certified tummy tuck plastic surgeons near you on RealSelf.

Having consultations with more than one qualified plastic surgeon is the best way to find out if you’re a good candidate, and to compare personalized treatment plans and cost estimates.

Tummy tuck costs in U.S. states

According to patient-reported prices in RealSelf reviews, average tummy tuck costs by U.S. states can vary by thousands of dollars. (States not shown or listed did not have enough recent data to display.)

Data pulled in February 2023 shows that the cheapest state for tummy tuck surgery is Florida, where the average tummy tuck price is $6,883. In cities like Miami and Orlando, hundreds of high-volume cosmetic surgery practices compete for new patients by advertising rock-bottom prices and deals.

In Hawaii, where the cost of living is high and a smaller number of board-certified plastic surgeons have less incentive to compete on price, patients on RealSelf say they paid $15,624, on average.

Tummy tuck costs in major U.S. metros