What U.S. city offers the most affordable plastic surgery? I would like to have a circumferential tummy tuck.

Cost is obviously always a factor when considering an elective cosmetic procedure.  However it should not be the deciding factor.  It always amazes me that people will spend $40,000 on a car without thinking twice, yet they will try to penny pinch when it comes to selecting a surgeon to perform a major operation that will have life long lasting effects on their body.  There are many plastic surgery "bargains "out there.  I'm sure you can find a gynecologist or a dentist to do your circumferential body lift if you look hard enough. You can also travel to a third world  country to have a practitioner with unknown credentials do your surgery.  These are all options for you. Traveling out of the city for your surgery also has added risks. You will not be near your surgeon for follow-up appointments. It will be inconvenient for you to be evaluated  if you have complications. You may also have to rely on other surgeons who did not do your surgery to manage these complications. In many cases, this can cost even more money in the long run.Do yourself a favor. Seek a consultation from an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. These are the highest trained physicians who will give you the best chance of having a successful outcome.  Yes you have to be comfortable with the price. However if the price is not right at this time it will likely be better for you to simply wait until you have a little bit more money to have the procedure done.  There are many payment plan options available in most plastic surgeon's offices. Best wishes to you!

Thank you for the question. There are many advantages of staying  local, if at all possible, when undergoing surgery. Close followup  and/or management of any complications that may arise important part of the process.When it comes to cost of surgery, there may be many “variables” involved. The specific surgeon's credentials/experience level (or lack thereof), the specific geographic area you are looking at, the different operations available, the location of the procedure ( quality of surgery facility), type/quality of anesthesia provider… are some of the potential variables involved.In regards to outcome of the planned procedure, more important than costs of the procedures will be careful selection of your plastic surgeon. I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.
Be very careful with your decision-making. You will find, while doing your due diligence, that there are many different “specialties” who will offer their services to you; again, I strongly recommend you concentrate on surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.I would also suggest that you do not base your selection of plastic surgeon primarily on costs of surgery; keep in mind that revisionary surgery may be more costly in many ways.
Best wishes.