How Much Does a Body Lift Cost?

The average cost of a body lift is $21,237, according to 88 patient reviews. Prices can range from $11,500 with insurance to a whopping $42,000 out of pocket. Some in-demand plastic surgeons charge even more, especially for complex operations.

The average cost from RealSelf reviews is significantly higher than the $9,449 lower body lift surgery cost cited in the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), but they also note that their cost is just the surgeon’s fee: it does not include fees for “anesthesia, operating room facilities, or other related expenses.” It’s also specific to lower body lifts. 

Read on to find out why body lift surgery prices vary, if insurance covers it, and whether the results are usually worth the money.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Body Lift Surgery

What to look for in a price quote

During your initial consultation, request a detailed, written treatment plan and personalized cost quote that includes:

• pre-op appointments
• the surgeon’s fee
• facility fees (for the surgery center or hospital operating room)
• anesthesia fees
• recovery facility fees
• follow-up appointments

Ask your prospective surgeon about any related expenses you’d need to cover out of pocket, such as prescription and over-the-counter medications (including antibiotics and pain medication), supplies to care for your incisions, compression garments, support pillows, and post-op lymphatic drainage massage.

You’ll also need to factor in the amount of time you’ll need to take off of work as you go through the healing process: typically 2 to 4 weeks of downtime, depending on the specifics of your treatment plan and how active you need to be at your job.

Is body lift surgery covered by insurance?

Most insurance companies will cover at least a portion of body lift costs after massive weight loss—if you meet certain criteria demonstrating that the excess tissue removal is medically necessary, and not just elective cosmetic surgery. 

“While this cannot guarantee that your insurance company will approve your body lift, these items can maximize the potential for coverage,” says Dr. Timothy Katzen, a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body lift surgery after massive weight loss at his practices in Beverly Hills, California, and Las Vegas. 

Insurance companies generally look for conditions that limit a patient’s daily activities, such as:

• Skin rashes that don’t go away after treating them with creams and lotions for over three months. “For successful insurance authorization, you will need to carefully document rashes,” says Dr. Katzen.
• Excess skin and fat that covers the pubic region and creates intimacy difficulties.
• Lower back pain or other joint problems. “Often, I have patients obtain letters from their chiropractor, orthopedic surgeon, or spine surgeon indicating that removal of excess skin and fat of the lower torso would reduce the strain on the patient’s low back, hips, and ankles,” says Dr. Katzen. He has also had body lifts approved for patients who required knee replacement surgery, due to the amount of weight placed on their knees. 

Every insurance provider and plan is different, of course. “Even within the same state and the same insurance company, coverage varies,” Dr. Katzen explains. “I’ve seen small tummy tucks covered and large body lifts denied within the same insurance plan.” 

Talk with your insurance company about their specific criteria for coverage, and then work closely with your healthcare providers to document your claim.

If your claim is denied, you have a right to appeal the decision. If the denial stands or only partial coverage is approved, ask your surgeon about monthly payment plans or consider plastic surgery financing options.

Why the cost of a body lift varies

These are the biggest factors that will influence the price you pay.

1) How many procedures and areas your body lift involves

A body lift removes the excess skin and fat deposits that can be left behind after weight loss and/or bariatric surgery.

A lower body lift usually includes:

• tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty)
• an inner thigh or outer thigh lift
• a butt lift

An upper body lift typically involves:

• an arm lift
• a breast lift or breast reduction
• a back lift

Some patients opt for a full body lift, which includes all of these areas of the body. Liposuction is often performed, for body contouring.

The remaining skin tends to lack elasticity, so energy-based skin-tightening treatments may also be recommended.

As you’d expect, the more cosmetic procedures you have, the more expensive it will be.

Six hours is typically the limit to the amount of surgery that can be safely performed under general anesthesia, so these body-contouring surgeries are often staged over several months. 

• “For most weight-loss patients, there are three sets of surgeries,” says Dr. Katzen. “During stage one, I perform the 360 circumferential lower body lift, which I can often combine with a thigh reduction.” A 360 lower body lift removes loose skin and fat from around the abdominal area, buttocks, and hips. 
• One to two months later, he performs a 360 upper body lift, which often consists of a breast lift (with or without breast augmentation to address deflation), torsoplasty (sculpting of the upper, middle, and lower back), and arm lift. 
• During stage three, he performs a facelift and neck lift. 

Not all patients want or need a full body lift, and there isn’t a “best” order of surgery. An experienced plastic surgeon can tailor your body lift procedure plan to your personal goals and budget.

If finances are tight, talk with your surgeon about prioritizing the areas that bother you most, be it your midsection or inner thighs.

2) Your provider’s credentials and level of experience 

Most board-certified plastic surgeons are trained to perform all of the surgical procedures that are part of a body lift. But some choose to specialize in reconstructive surgery for weight-loss patients. 

“Reconstructive surgeries after massive weight loss are big procedures, so please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of lifts,” says Dr. Katzen. “Make sure the surgeon has performed at least 100 of each procedure you’re considering, and that they have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.” 

In addition to getting the results you’re after, choosing an experienced surgeon will ensure you’re a good candidate for your desired procedures and help you avoid complications. 

Body lift surgery has an unusually high complication rate: 78%, with 22% of patients developing major complications (nonsmokers fare much better). Some complications require more medical treatment or revision surgery, at additional expense.

A board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body lift surgery and has a track record of safety and good outcomes will likely charge a higher surgeon’s fee. However, choosing them over a less experienced doctor could save you a lot of money and discomfort in the long run. 

3) Where your body lift surgery is performed

Like all surgery, body lift surgery has a higher price tag in major metros with a higher cost of living, including overhead costs like office rent, staff salaries, and malpractice insurance (the Northeast and West Coast tend to be highest).

“The more expensive the practice location, the more the body lift costs,” says Dr. Katzen.  

Your facility fee will also be higher—often almost double the cost—if it’s performed in a hospital, versus a private ambulatory surgical center. 

Some of these procedures can be done on an outpatient basis, meaning you’ll go home after the surgery, but many providers prefer to have patients stay overnight. 

"The majority of cases are long and patients are at risk for blood loss, so I usually prefer to watch them at least overnight and to control any pain or discomfort they may have," Dr. John Gillespie, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware. 

In some cases, patients stay for several nights in a recovery center or hospital for monitoring, before being released to a responsible family member. This helps ensure their safety, but it can also be a major expense—if it’s not covered by insurance.

During your consultations, ask where your surgery would be performed and how that will impact your price.

4) Who administers your anesthesia

Body lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which is administered by either an anesthesiologist (an MD) or a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

CRNAs charge lower anesthesia fees than anesthesiologists, who have more advanced training. But some surgeons prefer the services and experience of an anesthesiologist, particularly for higher-risk patients who have medical issues like diabetes.

Is a body lift worth the money?

Body lift surgery has a 96% Worth It Rating from patient reviewers on RealSelf, so a clear majority think it was a worthwhile investment.

This operation can be life-changing for patients who’ve lost a significant amount of weight but were still held back by sagging skin and excess fat. 

One study that looked at patient satisfaction following lower body lift surgery found that it significantly increased long-term feelings of attractiveness and self-esteem, while significantly reducing discomfort associated with excess skin. Patients reported feeling happier, more attractive, and more self-confident. The procedure also improved their health and physical well-being for years after surgery.

“Lower body lifts are associated with excellent clinical results and high levels of patient satisfaction,” says Dr. Richard Brunteau, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Omaha, Nebraska. “In many cases, results can last 10 to 15 years,” if the patient maintains muscle tone and a stable weight.

Body lift costs in U.S. states

Browse average body lift costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.

Body lift costs in major U.S. metros