A panniculectomy costs $9,231 on average, according to 336 patient reviews. Prices can range from just $4,800 to $30,000 or more, depending on:
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons doesn’t list an average cost of a panniculectomy on its site.
Commonly called “apron belly surgery,” a panniculectomy removes what’s known as a pannus, a bothersome flap of hanging excess skin that can result from significant weight loss (following pregnancy, weight loss surgery, or other means of extreme weight loss).
In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover:
Related: Everything You Need to Know About a Panniculectomy
Some panniculectomy procedures are covered by insurance, but it's not easy to qualify for coverage.
Elective cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance, so you’ll have to prove that this one is medically necessary.
“The situation needs to be severe for skin removal to be covered as medically necessary,” says Dr. Adam J. Oppenheimer, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Orlando, Florida. You can work with your surgeon’s patient care team to get your pannus removal procedure cleared.
The criteria for insurance coverage often include:
Insurance companies sometimes mandate that the entire pubic area and genitals be covered by hanging skin in order for coverage to be approved.
Contact your insurance provider to get clarification on their approval guidelines for the procedure and whether you’ll need to see an in-network surgeon. Then consult with a surgeon (who accepts insurance) about whether you’re a good candidate to qualify for coverage.
If your insurance coverage is approved, ask how much coverage they’ll provide and how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
“Insurance companies often pay only a small fraction of the usual and customary fees, so the procedure may only be partially paid for… even if it’s ‘covered,’” explains Dr. Brent Moelleken, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.
RealSelf Tip: It’s fairly common for a healthcare provider to discover hernias during this surgical procedure. Hernia repair is often considered a medical necessity, so insurance may cover a portion of that cost. Ask your insurance carrier in advance how they would handle this situation.
Insurance authorization takes anywhere from two weeks to two months, depending on how quickly your insurance provider processes your claim.
Your surgeon will send your medical information to your insurance company, including details about your height, weight, and why pannus removal is medically necessary in your case.
Your insurance provider will review these details and determine whether or not you meet the criteria to qualify for coverage. If they reject your case, they should provide the reasons why coverage is denied and outline the appeals process.
If your insurance provider determines that your panniculectomy will be covered, ask how much you’ll need to pay out of pocket as a coinsurance payment. Then ask your surgeon how much you’ll need to pay them, on top of insurance.
Most surgeons offer payment plans or accept third-party financing, and it’ll give you more peace of mind if you have all the financial details worked out before your procedure.
These are the biggest factors that will impact the price you pay.
One of the most important aspects of booking any plastic surgery procedure is finding a qualified, reputable surgeon.
Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon who has years of experience performing panniculectomies, backed up by good patient reviews and before and after photos.
Their surgeon's fee will likely be higher than another type of physician, but those years of advanced training and experience will reduce your risk of complications and side-effects, while increasing the likelihood of a smooth healing process and good results.
Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions during your consultation, including:
We can all appreciate a good deal, but your safety is more important than saving a few hundred dollars—and after doing the work of losing a significant amount of weight, you deserve to get the results you want.
Plastic surgery of any kind tends to be more expensive in upscale neighborhoods of major metro areas than it is in smaller cities.
However, there’s another factor: how many qualified providers in the area offer panniculectomies, compared to the level of interest in this body contouring surgery. In areas with a lot of supply and limited demand, surgeons may lower their prices to compete for patients. There are experienced surgeons doing good work in areas with a much lower cost of living.
Some people travel, including going abroad to places like Mexico for more affordable prices. If you go this route, do your homework to make sure you'll be landing in good hands (during your procedure and in the recovery house). And line up a provider back home (a colleague of the surgeon you’re traveling to see) who can help you should anything go awry after your initial recovery period.
Related: 6 Things to Do If You're Traveling Outside the U.S. for Surgery
Facility fees for this out patient procedure vary, mostly due to how much overhead they have to cover.
Panniculectomy surgery removes an apron of loose skin on the lower abdomen, below the belly button.
This operation can be a fairly straightforward or more complex, depending on the patient’s unique situation and goals.
Some people opt to combine their panniculectomy with a tummy tuck procedure (abdominoplasty). This cosmetic surgery removes excess fat and skin while repairing stretched muscles in the abdominal wall, to contour the entire midsection. It generally costs more than a panniculectomy and is not covered by insurance.
Other procedures that may be combined with a panniculectomy include:
The combination of breast and abdominal surgery is commonly called a mommy makeover.
Combining more than one surgical procedures in a single operation costs less than having each of them performed individually, because you only have to pay the anesthesia and facility fees once.
The surgeon's fee will be higher due to the additional time and work, adding to your total bill, but many surgeons offer a discounted rate on each additional procedure.
Discuss your budget and goals with your surgeon, and request a personalized cost quote for your unique surgery plan.
RealSelf Tip: Combining a panniculectomy with a tummy tuck may also increase your recovery time by about a week. Be sure to take into account the time off work and cost of childcare.
This is a major surgery that's performed under general anesthesia, administered by either a nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or an anesthesiologist (MD).
As we discussed above, panniculectomy surgery costs may be covered by health insurance.
The cost estimate you get from your surgeon should include all the fees outlined above, as well as follow-up visits, pain medication, and any other recovery supplies you'll need.
Ask if you'll be provided with a compression garment called an abdominal binder, and how much that will cost.
The cost of your consultation will probably be applied toward the cost of your procedure, but it's best to confirm that up-front, too.
There's no denying that this procedure is an investment, especially if your insurance doesn't cover it. That said, panniculectomy surgery gets a very respectable 99% Worth It Rating from patient reviewers on RealSelf.
Patient satisfaction so high for a few reasons: