Estimate on cost of a tummy tuck? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

sherry7 · 03-11-2009, 07:29 PM

I'm sure this varies from region to region, surgeon to surgeon, etc, but I was wondering what the rough cost for a tummy tuck is, assuming insurance won't cover it.

From the small amount of research I've done so far, it looks like insurance will only cover a TT if the pannus hangs below the pubus, right? If that is the case, I have no hope of insurance paying for it.

tx mom · 03-11-2009, 07:44 PM

i to have heard that was the only way they cover a tt. fortuneatly or unfortunately however you want to look at it i will qualify. i have heard from others that a tt can run between 5 and 8 thousand. i think it depends on the doctor you choose. sorry it is not more help.

Godsblessedme · 03-11-2009, 07:45 PM

my homie in Maine just had a mini TT for only 3500

sherry7 · 03-11-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tx mom

i to have heard that was the only way they cover a tt. fortuneatly or unfortunately however you want to look at it i will qualify. i have heard from others that a tt can run between 5 and 8 thousand. i think it depends on the doctor you choose. sorry it is not more help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godsblessedme

my homie in Maine just had a mini TT for only 3500

Really, that's all? I was thinking like $25,000 or more. I'm not sure where I got that figure from...probably something I dreamed up.

I'm DISGUSTED and sick of my belly skin already. I carried a lot of weight in my stomach, and it's really the only place where the skin is truly bothering me. (My arms are a little flabby, along with my inner thighs, but they're not too bad.) But this stomach skin is horrible to look at, and I can't successfully hide it under my clothes.

In the past (pre WLS) I had problems with getting rashes under my pannus in the hot summer months. If that happens this summer, I'll be sure to go to the doc and get it documented.

edit: Deb, what is a "mini" tummy tuck?

tx mom · 03-11-2009, 08:15 PM

yeah i was wondering about the "mini tummy tuck" also. i think i am going to need a full body lift. my husbands boss keeps telling him that he married a super model but just didn't know it, i tell my husband to tell his boss that he married a shar pei but didn't know it

my arms are horrible and my upper legs are nasty. but my stomach omg. even under my chin. my god i am a mess.

MiladyB · 03-11-2009, 08:24 PM

Sherry these were my costs but it included a breast lift and a removal of a lipoma in my breast. I also ended up spending 3 nights in the hospital instead of the expected 2.

Physician: $10,278.00 (about $7000 was for a full tummy tuck)
Hospital/OR: $16,981.88
Anesthesia: $2,436

Total cost was: $29,695.88

Alot of it depends on if you will be able to have it outpatient or not. For an armlift I was quoted $6200 total cost.

Delane · 03-11-2009, 08:33 PM

I have tricare and I was told as long as you have documented proof that you are having rashes from the skin and under the breast then they will pay for it. They have doctors in there plan who do plastic surgery. I told my husband as soon as a rash showes up Im going straight to the doctor and Im going to make sure they document them all. I know this sounds bad, but I live in Florida and this summer is going to be HOT HOT HOT, so I don't think there will be an issue with me not getting a rash. I know I must sound stupit saying that, it's not that I go around wishing for a rash, but since I know I am a good canidate for getting them I might aswell use it to my benefit. That is if I end up having skin issues. As for you question, I have been looking into this for a while and it looks to run around 5 to 7 thousand, however that doesn't include the hospital. If I get to have it done I want to have the tummy tuck and boob job all at once. Good luck and I hope you can get it done soon.

sherry7 · 03-11-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

Sherry these were my costs but it included a breast lift.

Physician: $10,278.00
Hospital/OR: $16,981.88
Anesthesia: $2,436

Total cost was: $29,695.88

Alot of it depends on if you will be able to have it outpatient or not.

Thanks for the info Beth. Was yours covered by insurance? I've heard that sometimes self-payment is a lower charge than what the insurance company is charged.

If it truly is around $25-$30K, I suppose I can just look at it as the price of a new car, right?

Puddin · 03-11-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delane

I have tricare and I was told as long as you have documented proof that you are having rashes from the skin and under the breast then they will pay for it.

That's what I was told as well. You need to start the "history" of skin problems by going to see your PCP with "skin irritation".

MiladyB · 03-11-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherry7

Thanks for the info Beth. Was yours covered by insurance? I've heard that sometimes self-payment is a lower charge than what the insurance company is charged.

If it truly is around $25-$30K, I suppose I can just look at it as the price of a new car, right?

Yes, mine was covered at least most of it. I had to come up with $1500 to have my muscles tightened along with moving my belly button. I also had to come up with an additional $1500 for my deductable.

I was able to get the pannus removal and the breast reduction/lift covered. Best thing to do is to get your hands on your insurance companies criteria and see if you can jump enough hoops to get it covered.

My pannus DID have to hang down below my pubic area plus I needed 3 months documentation of rashes with treatment. I know of people who have been denied under my insurance company because their pannus didn't hang low enough even though they did have documented rashes.