How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

The average cost of a tummy tuck is $11,720, according to 1,525 patient reviews.

This patient-reported price is higher than the average cost of $7,215 cited by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Why the big difference? The ASPS cost reflects the surgeon's fee alone, which is “only part of the total price,” they explain. “It does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses,” all of which can add thousands of dollars to your final bill.

The cost of tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) can range from just $5,000 to as much as $22,001. Some in-demand plastic surgeons in major metros charge even more.

Read on to learn:

• everything your written cost quote should include
• why tummy tuck prices vary so widely
• if insurance covers this procedure
• average tummy tuck costs in U.S. states and major metros

What to look for in a tummy tuck cost quote

It’s easy to request an abdominoplasty price quote from a doctor’s office over the phone, but you may not get an accurate answer: many practices disclose only the surgeon’s fee, which is just a portion of your final bill. Others will simply provide a range.

You'll get a far more complete estimate by booking a personal consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Consulting with more than one gives you the opportunity to compare price quotes.

After examining you, and discussing your concerns and desired results, the surgeon should recommend a detailed treatment plan and provide a written quote that details all related fees, including: 

• The consultation fee (which many surgeons apply toward the cost of your procedure)
• Their surgeon’s fee
• The cost of general anesthesia and the anesthesia provider’s fee
• Facility fees, which include surgical supplies
• Post-surgery compression garments
• Follow-up patient care

Beyond this, you’ll need to factor in the cost of tummy tuck recovery supplies, including pain medication and child care (if you’ll need it).

Also consider how much time you’ll need to take off work for your recovery period. This is a major surgical procedure, and your results could be compromised if you don’t allow time for the abdominal muscles to fully heal.

• Most patients need at least two weeks of recovery time before heading back to work.
• If your job requires heavy lifting and other physical activity, you may need three or four weeks of tummy tuck recovery.

The consultation is your best opportunity to find out about your surgeon’s policy on charging for revision surgery, if you’re not happy with your results. 

How to get insurance to pay for tummy tuck surgery

Tummy tuck surgery is a cosmetic procedure, so most insurance plans don’t cover it.

However, there are some cases where insurance will cover a portion of the cost.

• If you have an “apron” of loose skin causing medical, mobility, or intimacy problems (often a concern after major weight loss), insurance may cover the cost of a panniculectomy, to remove excess skin and fat that hangs below your pubic area.
• Hernia repair would also be covered by insurance. 

Insurance coverage to correct these medical conditions can defray tummy tuck costs by covering a portion of the facility, anesthesia, and surgeon’s fees.

If you think you may qualify, ask your insurance provider what kind of medical documentation you will need to support your claim. If they agree that your procedure wouldn’t just be cosmetic surgery, your surgeon should make their staff available to help you through this process.

Why abdominoplasty costs vary

All of these factors play into the wide range in tummy tuck prices.

1. Your surgeon’s credentials and level of experience

Tummy tuck surgery is considered safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, but it's not without risks.

It’s important to find a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS). A board-certified plastic surgeon has six to eight years of surgical residency after medical school, with extensive training on all aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery. This additional training means that they can charge more for their services than a “cosmetic surgeon” (a term often adopted by general physicians or other doctors without any formal plastic surgery training). It also means that you'll be more likely to have a better final result, safely.

Experience is also key. Look for surgeons who have been performing tummy tuck surgery for years (or decades), with a solid track record of happy patient reviews and an impressive gallery of before and after photos. Look for photos posted by their patients, not just the ones the surgeon chooses to share.

Tummy tuck revision surgery can be more expensive than the initial procedure, so it’s much more cost-effective to find a surgeon you can trust to do it right the first time.

2. Their practice location

Tummy tuck surgery costs can vary by U.S. state and city. As you’d expect, having this plastic surgery procedure in a major city with a high cost of living is more expensive than having it done in a smaller metro area.

For example:

• In San Francisco, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Miguel Delgado says the all-in cost of abdominoplasty in his practice is typically $12,000. "The price includes the surgeon's fee, outpatient surgery center, anesthesiologist, two sets of compression garments, pneumatic stocking device to take home, a walker, Experel (as a 4-5 day local anesthesia), scar management, and all follow-up care," he explains.
• In Atlanta, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Nelson Castillo reports that full tummy tuck procedures at his practice typically cost $9,000.

To stay local without overpaying, keep in mind: 

• Prices can vary by neighborhood or practice size, so it may be worth your time to have consults and get personalized quotes from more than one qualified provider.
• You’ll probably get a more reasonable quote from a surgeon with a modest practice in an affordable neighborhood than one who operates a luxurious, spa-like surgery center.

RealSelf Tip: Tummy tuck costs in Mexico or the Dominican Republic are typically 20% to 25% lower than the U.S. For your safety, it’s vital to thoroughly research your surgeon and the recovery facility before you book. Also make sure there are no current travel advisories from the State Department for your planned destination.

Related: 6 Key Things to Do If You’re Traveling Outside the U.S. for Plastic Surgery

3. The surgical facility

Facility fees for a private surgery center are typically lower than what you’d pay for a hospital operating room. 

If your surgery won’t be performed in a hospital, ask if the surgical facility is accredited by the Joint Commission, the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), or Medicare.

Also make sure your doctor has hospital privileges nearby, so you can be quickly admitted in case of an emergency.

4. The complexity of your procedure

A full tummy tuck procedure (sometimes called an extended tummy tuck), involves several steps:

• repairing and tightening the muscles of your abdominal wall
• removing excess fat and abdominal skin
• repositioning the belly button
• smoothing the remaining skin before closing the incision with sutures (standard tummy tuck scars span from hip to hip)

This complex procedure can take several hours, and the cost typically falls at the high end of the range.

Some women can get their desired results with just a mini tummy tuck. This shorter, less expensive procedure:

• tightens just the lower abdomen (below the belly button)
• removes enough skin to eliminate a C-section scar and some stretch marks across the lower midsection
• may involve limited muscle tightening

See how much a mini tummy tuck costs.

Other patients choose to get additional procedures at the same time as abdominoplasty, which naturally inflates the total bill. However, it is more cost-effective than having the procedures separately over time, since you only have to pay the facility and anesthesia fees once. Some surgeons even discount their own fees for add-on procedures.

Popular add-ons to abdominoplasty include:

• Liposuction for body contouring of the abdominal area, including the flanks and waistline—a combo that’s sometimes marketed as an “hourglass tummy tuck.” Energy-assisted forms of liposuction, like VASER—commonly employed for abdominal muscle enhancement or definition—generally cost more than standard tumescent lipo.
• A breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction for a complete mommy makeover

During your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will listen to your goals and recommend the best type of tummy tuck for your concerns and budget.

5. Your anesthesia provider’s credentials

Tummy tucks are typically performed under general anesthesia, which involves fees for the anesthesia itself, supplies, and the provider. 

Board-certified anesthesiologists charge higher fees than nurse anesthetists. Both are technically qualified to administer anesthesia and monitor you during your surgery. Particularly if you have underlying health conditions or your surgery will be long, your surgeon may insist on working with an anesthesiologist because they’re an MD, with additional training. This extra cost could increase your safety.

Related: How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost? 7 Women Reveal How Much They Paid

Can you finance a tummy tuck?

Yes, most practices offer payment plans or accept third-party financing options. For example, the CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures.

How can I find a tummy tuck surgeon near me?

You can find board-certified tummy tuck plastic surgeons near you on RealSelf.

As we mentioned above, having consultations with more than one qualified plastic surgeon is the best way to find out if you’re a good candidate and compare personalized treatment plans and price estimates.

Tummy tuck costs in U.S. states

According to patient-reported prices in RealSelf reviews, average tummy tuck costs by U.S. states can vary by thousands of dollars. (States not shown or listed did not have enough recent data to display.)

Data pulled in February 2023 shows that the cheapest state for tummy tuck surgery is Florida, where the average tummy tuck price is $6,883. In cities like Miami and Orlando, hundreds of high-volume cosmetic surgery practices compete for new patients by advertising rock-bottom prices and deals.

In Hawaii, where the cost of living is high and a smaller number of board-certified plastic surgeons have less incentive to compete on price, patients on RealSelf say they paid $15,624, on average.

Tummy tuck costs in major U.S. metros