Nothing is more rewarding than putting in months or even years of hard work in order to reach your goal weight and become more healthy. The only problem with that is the fact that many people are left with loose folds of skin after losing a large amount of weight. No amount of crunches or squats can get rid of them! The solution? Get a tummy tuck. But there are a lot of factors that go into getting this kind of surgery: How much does a tummy tuck cost? Are there any additional expenses? What does a typical recovery period look like? These are all important questions to determine if a tummy tuck is right for you.

What Exactly Encompasses a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, also known as “abdominoplasty,” is a plastic surgery procedure in which the skin and fat around the abdomen are contoured and smoothed to become more appealing to the patient. It is typically conducted after a person has lost an extreme amount of weight over a period of time, such as working off a large amount of excess weight from overeating, or very quickly, as is commonly seen after pregnant women give birth. For many, the surgery is a way for them to bounce back to their normal physical state and return their confidence.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost?

As uplifting as the surgery is for many people, a tummy tuck cost is not exactly cheap. On average, most people will be paying approximately $6,000 to have the surgery performed but it can vary greatly depending on other factors. However, that is only for the actual surgery itself and does not include additional costs such as facility costs, anesthesia, surgeon fees, post-surgery medication, the state where the surgery is being performed, and any other add-ons that may or may not be added to your overall cost–it’s important to consult with your provider beforehand to determine the final billing cost beforehand.

The type of tummy tuck received can also play a part in the cost, such as a mini-tuck or a standard one, as well as the surgeon’s experience level. It’s quite the chunk of change to drop for some people, and one that is typically not covered by insurance if it is purely cosmetic, but the amount of positive feedback recorded from patients is astronomical, with many noting that they would do it again in a heartbeat. Plus, you can meet with your surgeon to plan out a financing plan to get a more realistic understanding of your payment methods. At the end of the day, it could cost you $3,000 or it could cost you $10,000, or anywhere in between, and should really be discussed with your surgeon beforehand to get an accurate estimate.

What to Expect After a Tummy Tuck Surgery

If you have decided that getting a tummy tuck is right for you, you’ll need to know what to expect while recovering from surgery. While your age, health, and manner of tuck will play a part in your recovery time, may can expect a general time frame to last anywhere from seven to nine weeks. Make sure you will have someone around the house to help you for the first few days after your surgery, as your normal level of mobility will be limited, such as bending, standing, lifting, and certainly not driving.

You will most likely need to take some time off of work while recovering, and listening to medical instructions from your provider can increase recovery time and prevent further complications from occurring. Things like sticking to a prescribed diet and straying away from drinking and smoking for a while will likely be necessary. After a few months, things will start returning to normal, though you may feel slight discomfort, swelling, or tugging sensation afterward, but this feeling should go away after a while.

Ready to Make a Change?

You shouldn’t have to feel self-conscious about the way you look, especially after accomplishing something amazing like weight loss or giving birth. If you’re tired of feeling this way and are ready to take the steps needed to become a version of yourself that leaves you feeling confident and proud of all you’ve done, contact RCMC Medical Center today. Our medical professionals can give you the care you deserve at an affordable cost.