Tummy tuck surgery is typically performed as an elective cosmetic surgery procedure, which means that medical insurance will not cover the dollar amount. Therefore, cost becomes a pivotal issue for many people seeking tummy tuck surgery. At the time of pre-op consultation, the surgeon will educate the patient about all aspects of the procedure, including its expected costs.
The first concern of a responsible surgeon will be to provide full and clear information to the patient and help them make a carefully considered decision. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom provides tummy tuck and other cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures to patients in Chicago, IL and surrounding locations.
Factors Impacting the Price Tag
The costs of tummy tuck surgery can differ between two practices and even between two patients at the same practice. Several factors will go into determining the actual sticker price of surgery, which may include:
Geographical Factor
The location of the practice is one of the key factors that will influence the cost of tummy tuck plastic surgery procedure because of the variations in cost of living at different locations. Prime urban centers and other major metropolitan areas typically have higher real estate costs and other expenses than the costs in a smaller town in an interior region. This makes a difference to the average monetary amount of most types of goods and services, including tummy tuck surgery.
Plastic Surgeon’s Fee
A surgeon will usually charge a fee according to their skills, experience and recognition in the area of body contouring surgeries such as tummy tuck. Although the fee alone is not an indicator of a surgeon’s skills, it is a key element that will affect the overall costs of the procedure. The patient should assess the fee in relation to the kind of quality and services offered by a cosmetic surgeon for abdominoplasty.
Anesthesia and Surgical Room Costs
If the tummy tuck surgery procedure is required to be performed using general anesthesia, it will involve the fee of an anesthesiologist or a registered nurse anesthetist. Their fee can vary according to their qualifications. The surgeon may perform tummy tuck at a hospital, an ambulatory surgical center or a private surgical suite. The costs and benefits will vary under each option.
Extent of Surgery
Depending on the patient’s specific cosmetic goals and their unique anatomy, the surgeon will recommend an appropriate tummy tuck surgery technique. The length and complexity of the procedure can have an impact on the overall cost of the procedure.
For instance, the sticker price of a full traditional tummy tuck will be significantly higher than that of a partial abdominoplasty. Additional procedures such as liposuction in the flanks area may be added, which can increase the costs. Dr. Bloom receives patients from Chicago, IL and other neighborhoods throughout the landscape for tummy tuck surgery.
Financing
Patients will usually have multiple financing options for tummy tuck surgery. These may include specialized loans through medical care finance firms, which offer low interest rates, quick loan approvals and monthly installments of up to 60 months. Dr. Bloom offers CareCredit, with no interest financing for up to 12 months.