Tummy Tuck without MR, would like some second opinions. Is there a difference in cost? Recovery?

There is no difference in cost, but you will be cheating yourself out of the best possible outcome by eliminate it as part of the surgery.

Thank you for your excellent question and congratulations on your desire to pursue a tummy tuck.  If all else were equal, there would be a small cost savings from not performing a muscle repair because of the time saved in the operating room, but your recovery would be easier as there would be less postoperative pain. Hope this helps. 

In certain patients, pregnancy causes excess of skin and adipose tissue in the tummy without separation of the rectus muscles (RM) (it means they have a flat belly with wrinkly skin). In these cases, a "tummy tuck" without RM repair ( I called extended panniculectomy) could be performed to achieve a rejuvenated tummy. This is ideal specially if the patient is planning to become pregnant again in the fat future ( tummy tucks ideally should be done after done with pregnancies). In my practice,when I perfrom "extended panniculectomoies" ( "tummy tuck without RM repair) the patients must have a flat tummy when seeing from the side.

If muscle repair is not performed at the time of a tummy tuck, the recovery will likely be easier as there will be less discomfort.  Cost will vary from region to region and is often determined on how much time the planned procedure will take.  I would recommend seeing another board certified plastic surgeon for an in person exam if you would like a second opinion.

Hi and thanks for the question. Please email our office good quality photographs and I will give you an accurate assessment, plan of action, and a cost estimate.