How can I get a free tummy tuck?

Question

Need help with getting a tummy tuck have medical insurance but it doesn't cover cosmetic surgery and I can't afford what it costs unless I can get financial help

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

Cosmetic Surgery is a luxury item. In most instances- it is NOT medically necessary. Quality of life issues of this nature are out of pocket expenses. Do you work for free? Why should a Plastic Surgeon work for free? He/she has big expenses that need to be paid in order to safely provide services. As well as Anesthesia and Facility need to be paid for. I suggest that you save the money and find a Plastic Surgeon that you like-- and have the procedure when you can afford it.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

It is not possible to get free cosmetic surgery unless it is causing medical problems - (ie. breast reduction due to back pain). Best of luck

Shim Ching, MD · Answer

It just isn't possible to get free cosmetic surgery.  Medical insurance can cover removing skin from your abdomen if it is causing medical problems, but this is not the same procedure as a tummy tuck.  Please understand that medical insurance coverage is not "free".  Someone is paying the cost of medical care.  Either you through your premiums or the other members of your health plan.

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

Since your question is really a financial one more than a medical one, many plastic surgeons do participate with some sort of financing plan, the most popular of which is called Care Credit, which is approved and endorsed by both main plastic surgery societies. Unlike like other things we would like to buy for ourselves such as a nice car or pretty blouse, the risk of those purchases is minimal. When it comes to surgery, your first priority needs to be your health and safety, and your best chance of getting it right is to seek the advice of a Board certified (American Board of Plastic Surgery) plastic surgeon who is a member of one or both of the national plastic surgery societies, ASAPS and/or ASPS, with plenty of experience taking care of patens such as you. Look at their websites, check out reviews, and speak with other patients who might have had surgery by the surgeon you are considering. Make sure you feel comfortable with the staff, and that all your questions are getting addressed to your satisfaction. Bottom line (pardon the pun), like anything else we would like to have but may not be able to afford, you can either start saving, or look at financing options, but be careful not to get in over your head. Best of luck to you.

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD · Answer

Yeah, good luck with that.  I doubt that you are going to find anyone who will do a tummy tuck for free.  If you do, I would SERIOUSLY question their credentials.  Still, I will suggest a couple of options that might help.  First, you might visit a residency training program in your area where residents in training to become plastic surgeons perform surgery under the supervision of board-certified plastic surgeons with more experience.  You might find a good deal there.  Also, most plastic surgery offices offer financing through various financing agencies if you qualify.  That's about the best advice I can offer you... and it was FREE!  Yay!

Andre Levesque, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I recommend looking into any plastic surgery training programs in your area and ask if they might have a resident cosmetic surgery clinic.  Typically cosmetic procedures are performed by plastic surgery residents with direct supervision and assistance by their attending surgeons.  These are surgeons, not medical students, that are in formal training supervised by board certified plastic surgeons for minimum of 5 years.  Many surgeons do accept various credit type cards that can offer financing so the cost can be spread over time.  Plastic surgery can be expensive for sure but if you truly want something with financial discipline anything is possible.   Dr. L

Ronald Levine, MD · Answer

There are financing options offered by surgeons. The financing company pays off your surgery for you, and then you make monthly payments to the financing company. These payments can be just a couple hundred a month. When you find a surgeon, ask about this option.

Victor Ferrari, MD, FACS · Answer

I have done one free tummy tuck in my career for a TV show (Extreme Makeover-Charlotte Edition). Obviously I did it because it was  a free form of advertising.  If you could find something like that, you might be able to get it for free.

Marvin Spann, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that is not covered by insurance. However, sometimes insurance will pay for removing the fatty flap of skin that hangs over your beltline that is sometimes present after patients undergo massive weight loss surgery. Removing this pannus often helps patients become more active, which allows them to lose more weight in preparation for an eventual tummy tuck. There are ways to finance cosmetic surgery. There are services available such as Care Credit. You may also be able to make periodic deposits for surgery and schedule the surgery once the procedure has been fully paid. There is no way that I know to get a free tummy tuck.

Steven Schuster, MD, FACS · Answer

That's kind of like the old question "How do you get to Carnegie Hall" answer "practice a lot".  Unfortunately insurance does not cover tummy tucks for cosmetic reasons and even most reconstructive reasons.  And as Dr. Pound said " don't trust anyone who offers to do it for free" because very often cheal can be very expensive.  I agree that trying some of the residency training programs in plastic surgery may be your best bet.  If there is a teaching hospital in your area the plastic surgery residents may have a clinic and you might have the surgery for well under 4000.00.  Good luck, Dr. Schuster from Boca Raton

TUMMY TUCK PROVIDERS NEAR YOU

How can I get a free tummy tuck?

Answers (10)

TUMMY TUCK PROVIDERS NEAR YOU