Is there a cheaper route for a tummy tuck by having it done by a plastic surgery student? (Photo)

Thank you for your question. Shopping for the right cosmetic surgeon is a bit like shopping for wine. You don’t want to spend a fortune but you also want something that tastes great and gives you the quality experience you’re looking for. 
Finding the most qualified surgeon and practice is equally as important as staying on budget. While it’s tempting to go with the cheapest quote remember this is still major surgery.  You will live with the effects of this decision for the rest of your life. Bad outcomes end up costing you more in revisions and complications with the end result being not such a great “deal” after all.  The American society of plastic surgery recommends you only chose a board certified surgeon. “A successful; doctor-patient relationship is based on confidence and trust, not on perceived savings and price. A great solution to the cost-quality equation is medical tourism. Medical tourism is driven by people searching for treatments that work in countries where the cost of the operation is much lower than in their home country. Colombia, is an attractive to consumers looking for the ultimate combination of quality, price, service, and value. In Colombia surgeons can offer prices often 30-50% less than in the United States and Europe while maintaining quality and safety. However wherever you decide to go for your surgery don't settle for less than a board certified surgeon. 

Thank you for your question.The fees for cosmetic surgery is often slightly less expensive when performed by a plastic surgery resident at a teaching hospital.  With that said, it is important that patients are aware that the surgeon who will be operating on you is not an attending plastic surgeon and is not board certified.  If performed at a reputable teaching hospital by a plastic surgery resident who is well experienced and under the supervision of a board certified attending plastic surgeon, I would venture to say that you would be in great hands.  I would, however, still recommend that you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who is specializes in these body contouring procedures to best determine your candidacy for this procedure and to review all costs with you.  You might be surprised to see that sometimes the cost difference is much less than one would have thought.  Additionally, many board certified plastic surgeons offer different financing options to help patients achieve their cosmetic goals.  I cannot stress to patients enough the importance of surgeon training and expertise and I would discourage patients from selecting a surgeon strictly based upon cost, as this can often be a more costly route than paying for an experienced and well trained surgeon initially.  I hope that you find this helpful and I wish you all of the best.

Resident clinic surgery can be a good option, as long as you do your research.  You need to make sure that the resident who might operate on you has a great reputation and as well, and more importantly, that the supervising attending surgeon has a great reputation.  You need to make sure that the attending surgeon will be present for the entire procedure to offer good advice and to make certain you are receiving the best care.  As long as these things are done, you should be able to get quality care at a more attainable price point.Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

You will have to research the academic hospitals in your area to see if they have a plastic surgery residency program.  Many, but not all, plastic surgery residency programs have a resident’s clinic were a limited number of cosmetic cases can be done at a reduced rate.  Of course you will have an experienced surgeon is operating on you if you choose this route. I would also encourage you to consider a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area who has more experience. Most offices offer payment plan options to make the procedure more affordable. Best wishes.

Hello and thank you for your question.   Cost varies based on geographic region and surgeon expertise.   The option you describe is a possibility.  I recommend that you consider it and also look at board-certified plastic surgeons as well.   Based on your
photograph, you are a great candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction.  This can be done through a low and short
incision, all completely below the bikini line. 
The belly button can be designed to look natural and have no scars on
the exterior.   Your muscles can also be
plicated resulting in a flat abdomen. 
Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of
real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate
their results.  The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

This may be a reasonable thing to consider.  Some residents or fellows by the end of their training have performed dozens of TTs; and they will be supervised by a board certified plastic surgeon during the procedure.  You can always check the price on this option and compare it with several other plastic surgeons in close proximity to your geographical location.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for the question. I am not sure what you mean by plastic surgery student. Most of the plastic surgery residency programs in big teaching hospitals have a cosmetic clinic that is run by chief residents (doctors in their final year of their post-graduate training). They offer cosmetic surgery at a cheaper rate. These surgeries are typically supervised by an experienced more senior plastic surgeon. Choosing to go to these clinic is a compromise you are willing to make to have cosmetic surgery by a less experienced surgeon at a cheaper price.

Hello, I believe what you are referring to is a resident cosmetic clinic. Generally these clinics are staffed by residents in their final year(s) of plastic surgery training. The cases are also generally done with the supervision of an attending surgeon. Since these procedures assist the residents in their cosmetic surgery training, the surgeon's fees are usually reduced or waived. However, you normally still have to pay standard fees for anesthesia and the facility. 
I suggest you go have a consultation and see if you feel comfortable with the resident and attending surgeons involved. 

Great question. Most universities with large plastic surgery training programs will have a cosmetic clinic that is run by resident physicians. Residents are doctors that are specializing in a field (ie. plastic surgery) and are overseen by mentors. Resident Cosmetic/Aesthetic Surgery clinics allow you to be seen and assessed by a senior plastic surgery resident, who will also perform your procedure. These individuals are usually near the end of their training and are very qualified. However, they are also overseen by experienced plastic surgeons who are available to help and assist when needed and will provide guidance. I suggest calling some of the plastic surgery programs in your area to see if a resident aesthetic clinic is something that they provide!

Choose a board certified plastic surgeon who has done a ton of tummy tuck and has privileges to do this surgery at a local university hospital. This says his credentials have been checked out by fellow Drs. All surgeries carry risk, talk to your plastic surgeon.

Many surgeons, including myself, offer online virtual consultations where you send us your photos to be examined.  Please be mindful that the in person physical exam is the most important and could potentially alter your treatment plan.