How do you know if you qualify for a tummy tuck?
Asked by: Gay Bailey | Last update: March 8, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (37 votes)
- You Have Loose Stomach Skin. ...
- You're Fairly Healthy. ...
- You Have Realistic Expectations About the Results. ...
- You're Committed to a Healthy Lifestyle. ...
- You Have Had a Baby or Been Obese. ...
- You're Done Being Pregnant. ...
- You're Not Planning To Lose More Weight. ...
- You Suffer From Stress Urinary Incontinence.
What makes you not a candidate for tummy tuck?
Patients must be near their ideal weight before undergoing the treatment. Other factors, such as medication use, preexisting health conditions, and being a smoker, can also hinder one's ability to benefit from the treatment.
What qualifies you for a tummy tuck?
You might choose to have a tummy tuck if you have extra fat or skin around your midsection. Or you might get this surgery if your stomach bulges due to separated abdominal muscles. That condition is called rectus diastasis, and it may cause low back pain.
How do I know if my insurance covers a tummy tuck?
Answer: Coverage usually not possible A tummy tuck is considered a cosmetic procedure so insurance doesn't typically cover it. However, there are rare cases that coverage is possible if the procedure resolves health issues. It's best to contact your provider to find out, then work with your surgeon to obtain coverage.
What is the weight requirement for a tummy tuck?
Many patients ask, “My BMI is 35; can I get a tummy tuck?” Most board-certified plastic surgeons agree that tummy tuck surgery is most safely performed on healthy patients with a BMI below 35. Ideally, you should be within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight before surgery.
How To Tell If You Need A Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction AT HOME
How many sizes do you drop with a tummy tuck?
The results of a tummy tuck procedure tend to vary amongst patients because everyone has a different body composition, angles, and features. However, what you can expect from a tummy tuck is to lose anywhere from one to three sizes around your midsection.
How to get a tummy tuck paid for by insurance?
To increase your chances of getting a tummy tuck covered by insurance, you'll need to meet specific requirements: Medical Necessity – your surgeon must document the medical necessity of the procedure, outlining how the excess skin or abdominal wall laxity negatively impacts your physical health and quality of life.
What is the recovery time for a tummy tuck?
Long-term recovery
It can take up to three months for postsurgical swelling and bruising to disappear completely, and much longer for the scar from your incision to diminish significantly.
How much does a tummy tuck cost without muscle repair?
The exact cost of your tummy tuck will vary based on everything from the doctor you select to the fees the hospital charges. The average cost of just the surgery is $6,154, but once all the fees are factored in, this will usually come to around $15,000 or more.
Will insurance cover a tummy tuck after major weight loss?
Insurance coverage for excess skin removal surgery <Link to Skin Removal Surgery (Panniculectomy)/Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)> varies, but most insurance carriers don't cover this surgery unless it's medically necessary.
What does no one tell you about a tummy tuck?
One thing that patients often fail to consider is the recovery time. The recovery period following a tummy tuck procedure can last anywhere from one to two weeks (or longer). Patients should keep this in mind leading up to the procedure so that they don't schedule any social gatherings too soon following the treatment.
Does tummy tuck hurt more than a C-section?
While C-sections are major abdominal surgeries, many women find that the pain associated with them is less intense compared to a tummy tuck. However, this isn't the case for everyone.
How much do I need to save for a tummy tuck?
Generally, the cost of a tummy tuck in the state can range from $8,000 to $20,000. This price includes the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, facility costs, the compression garment, and other related expenses. According to RealSelf, the average cost of a tummy tuck in the Golden State is $11,681.
What disqualifies you for a tummy tuck?
- Preexisting health issues.
- Currently smoking or using tobacco products.
- Obese or overweight.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30.
- Any previous clotting issues or surgical complications.
- Currently taking any medications, anticoagulants, or supplements that might interfere.
How to get approved for a tummy tuck?
- You are physically healthy and at a stable weight.
- You have realistic expectations.
- You are a nonsmoker.
- You are bothered by the appearance of your abdomen.
How painful is a tummy tuck?
Most people feel sore and tight for up to two weeks following the procedure. “It will feel like you've done about a million sit-ups after a tummy tuck, but the tradeoff is that you should look like you did a million sit-ups,” said Dr.
How do most people pay for a tummy tuck?
Credit Cards. Some patients choose to use a credit card to pay for their tummy tuck. While this can be a convenient option, it's essential to consider the interest rates associated with credit card payments. If you plan to use a credit card, look for one with a low-interest rate or a promotional 0% APR offer.
Which is cheaper, lipo or tummy tuck?
Liposuction is a less intensive treatment and typically costs less than a tummy tuck. Liposuction costs between $4,000 and $8,000 with an average cost of $6,000, whereas a tummy tuck ranges between $6,000 and $10,000 with an average cost of $8,000.
What is a 360 tummy tuck?
A traditional tummy tuck involves removing skin and excess fat from below the belly button and re-tightening abdominal muscles. The Tummy Tuck 360 does this and more. In addition to the standard abdominal tightening, this procedure also uses SAFElipo to remove excess fat from the entire trunk.
Is there an alternative to tummy tuck?
Vaser Liposuction
This treatment is a minimally invasive tummy tuck alternative that allows for a decrease in fat, while smoothing and slimming the tummy area. Vaser Lipo is more gentle than traditional liposuction, because we begin by carefully dislodging the fat using ultrasound.
How long are you bedridden after tummy tuck?
You will need about a week of bed rest following a tummy tuck. It can take two weeks before you can return to your normal activities after the surgery.
What is the hardest plastic surgery to recover from?
- What is the hardest plastic surgery to recover from?
- Multiple Procedures:
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck):
- Breast Augmentation with Implants:
- Liposuction:
- Facelift:
- Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery):
- Body Lift Surgery:
Can you make monthly payments on a tummy tuck?
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed with cosmetic healthcare in mind, getting that tummy tuck you so desire becomes a reality. With credit approval, CareCredit can arrange regular monthly payments so that you can schedule your appointment and move forward with that long awaited tummy tuck.
What makes a tummy tuck medically necessary?
Muscle Weakness and Hernias: A tummy tuck might be medically necessary if you have weakness in the abdominal muscles or hernias. These conditions often present as a bulge in the abdomen or lower back pain.
How much does a non surgical tummy tuck cost?
The average cost of non-surgical fat reduction is $1,226, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Note that this pricing likely does not include related expenses, such as prescription medication, what the surgeon charges and any additional costs added by the place you have the surgery.