“Can a tummy tuck be covered by insurance?” is one of the first concerns many of our patients ask. Yes and no are the answers to this question. A belly tuck is frequently just a cosmetic treatment, and most insurance policies do not cover it. However, if you are suffering from rashes or skin infections, the operation becomes a medical necessity. In this instance, you might be able to acquire insurance to cover some of the costs of your belly tuck.
You might wonder why only portion of the costs are covered. There are two steps to a tummy tuck. To achieve a smooth contour, the first procedure is strengthening the underlying abdominal muscles. The second phase is eliminating the extra skin and tightening the remaining skin over your midsection. When a procedure is medically necessary, insurance will pay the second portion of the surgery, as eliminating excess skin is vital to avoid rashes and infections.
Can a tummy tuck be medically necessary?
Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that is not always medically essential. BCBSNC does not cover services or procedures that are not medically required.
What qualifies you for a tummy tuck?
Abdominoplasty is the medical word for a belly tuck. This operation addresses and restructures the abdominal muscles, reduces extra fat, and removes excess skin to lift, tighten, and tone the abdomen. The end effect is a stomach that is flat, tightened, and toned, and no longer protrudes forward.
You’ll not only look better, but you’ll feel better as well, and your clothes will fit better. You’ll have more confidence in your stomach’s appearance, which can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself.
How Does It Work?
An abdominoplasty typically takes a few hours to accomplish. The first step is to meet with our surgeon for a consultation. We will discuss the regions you wish to treat, examine those problem areas in person, and confirm that you are a good candidate for the operation during this appointment. We’ll set up your appointment once we’ve confirmed your candidacy.
Our surgeon will follow your treatment plan and take the required steps to assist you achieve your desired outcome during the procedure. Excess fat can be removed using liposuction. Any extra skin will be removed, and the remaining tissue will be pulled taut. You will be able to begin the recuperation process once your operation is completed.
What Kind of Recovery Should I Expect?
Despite what you may believe, it is critical that you get up and walk around during your recovery period in order to aid your body’s healing and return to a normal daily routine. For the first ten days after surgery, we encourage patients to avoid physical exercise. For the first six weeks after surgery, you should avoid all forms of hard lifting and intense activities.
Once your operation is completed, you will be given a detailed list of recovery instructions so that you know exactly what you need to do to help your body heal. Following your operation, you will be given a compression garment to assist you maintain comfort and adhere to the new shapes generated during your procedure.
When Will I See My Results?
Because you will be starting the healing process, it may be difficult to see instant results in the first few days after surgery, but your outcomes will be dramatic and apparent. The majority of patients see the most noticeable improvements two to three weeks after surgery, and those results will continue to improve for up to six months after surgery.
Am I a Candidate?
Those who have loose skin, extra fat, or are unsatisfied with the appearance of their abdomen are the greatest candidates for abdominoplasty. This operation can correct slack or sagging skin in the abdomen caused by heredity, pregnancy, weight reduction, previous surgery, or the aging process.
The ideal candidate will have reasonable expectations regarding the procedure’s capabilities and limitations. It is neither a substitute for a healthy lifestyle nor a means of weight loss. To avoid gaining weight and further stretching out the skin, those who have this operation must avoid substantial weight swings, keep a nutritious diet, and stick to a steady training schedule.
What is an average cost for a tummy tuck?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2020 figures, the average cost of a belly tuck is $6,154. This is only a portion of the entire cost; it excludes anesthesia, operating room facilities, and other related costs.
Does insurance cover excess skin removal?
Despite the fact that the heavy, superfluous skin left over after weight reduction might be deemed a medical problem due to discomfort and an increased risk of skin disorders, most insurance companies will not pay body lift surgery.
What is better lipo or tummy tuck?
Dr. Ortiz will make a horizontal incision across your hips, between your pubic area and belly button, during a tummy tuck. By drawing the muscles together and sewing them with medical-grade nylon, he can repair them using this incision.
Excess skin is cut away and the remaining skin is sutured together once the muscles have been healed. As a result, the stomach is flatter and smoother, with a small scar across the hip area. With the right diet and exercise, the results of a belly tuck can last a lifetime. The results of a belly tuck will be undone if you gain a lot of weight.
Tummy tucks require more time and effort than liposuction. A stomach tuck reconstructs the muscles of the abdomen and eliminates superfluous skin, whereas lipo merely removes excess fat.
Who is a Tummy Tuck For?
Tummy tucks are a good option for healthy people who have stubborn fat in their abdomen that they can’t get rid of with diet and exercise. You are a suitable candidate for a stomach tuck if your belly is drooping or projecting owing to aging, pregnancy, weight reduction, or previous procedures, and you have no other health issues.
How do I qualify for Panniculectomy?
What kind of people are ideal candidates for a panniculectomy?
- You experience rashes or infections underneath the hanging fold of skin that are reoccurring or persistent.
What is the best age for a tummy tuck?
When it comes to addressing your waistline with a tummy tuck, age is a consideration, but other key factors take precedence when deciding when this treatment is right for you. Women in their late 30s, early 40s, and beyond are the majority of those who opt for this surgery. When it comes to your age, however, any age is the perfect age as long as you are devoted to keeping your results, don’t plan on getting pregnant again, and are in good health.
You Are Done Having Children
You are the perfect age for a stomach tuck if you are of reproductive age but do not want to have any more children. Pregnancies after the surgery can destroy your outcomes. Excess skin develops during pregnancy, and this operation seeks to tighten the waist by removing excess skin and fat. An second pregnancy following this procedure will wreak havoc on the outcomes, necessitating extra treatment to restore them.
You Are Middle-Aged or Beyond and Want to Address Loose Skin
You are the perfect age for a stomach tuck if genetics, several pregnancies, or major weight reduction have resulted in loose skin in your abdomen that makes you feel self-conscious about your appearance. This technique can make your current midsection resemble your midsection from 20 years ago. It will eliminate excess skin and fat while tightening the entire area, allowing you to feel more confident in a swimsuit regardless of your age.
You Are in Your 20s or 30s and Want a Tighter Midsection
You don’t have to be in your forties or fifties to undergo this operation. In their 20s or 30s, some patients choose to have a stomach tuck to restore the appearance of their abdomen that has been harmed by genetic causes or major weight loss. If you opt to have this treatment and then become pregnant later in life, your results will be harmed.
When it comes down to it, age plays no role in choosing who is the best candidate for this treatment. Other considerations to consider are your lifestyle, present health, and long-term objectives. We’ll decide if you’re a good candidate for this surgery during your initial appointment.
What does your BMI need to be for a tummy tuck?
Your body mass index (BMI) is the ratio of your height to your weight. Based on your height, the Body Mass Index (BMI) can tell you about your general fitness. There are various internet programs that can help you calculate your BMI.
BMI is computed by multiplying your current weight by your squared height. If you weigh 210 pounds and are 5 feet and 8 inches tall, your BMI is 31.9.
According to research, an adult’s BMI should be between 20 and 25, which is considered healthy. If your BMI is less than 25, you are considered underweight, and if it is greater than 25, you are considered overweight.
But, why is this so crucial? You must be at your desired weight and BMI to receive the best outcomes from a stomach tuck treatment. For a belly tuck treatment, a BMI of less than 30 is considered optimum. Of course, if you’re overweight, you can still get the procedure and obtain terrific results.
Who is not a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery can help some patients achieve a flatter, tighter abdominal profile, but it is not for everyone. To find out if you’re a good candidate for a belly tuck, first read the information below, then arrange a consultation with Dr. Bohley of cosmetic surgery Portland to see if a tummy tuck or another plastic surgery operation is correct for you.
You should be in good general health yet have extra skin (that has lost its elasticity) throughout your abdominal area to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. You can possibly have stomach muscles that are badly weakened or divided. After stomach tuck surgery, you should be at a steady weight that you believe you can maintain. You must not smoke or be willing to quit for several weeks before and after surgery.
Finally, you should have realistic expectations for belly tuck surgery results. Tummy tuck surgery, for example, will give you a firmer abdominal profile but will also leave a horizontal scar that runs from hip bone to hip bone. You may benefit from stomach tuck surgery if you are willing to have a scar that can be hidden beneath your underwear or bathing suit line in exchange for the look of a six pack.
You are not a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you haven’t finished having children and plan to have more, or if you are presently pregnant. You will not be a good candidate for a belly tuck if you are obese. Also, if you are a smoker who is unwilling to quit, a stomach tuck may not be right for you. Finally, if you have good skin elasticity and want to sculpt your stomach or other portions of your body, liposuction may be a better option than a tummy tuck.
Can you finance a tummy tuck?
Tummy tucks aren’t cheap, but they can make you feel better about yourself, boost your self-esteem, and alleviate pain and suffering.
It’s possible that the operation will set you back thousands of dollars, and your insurance policy may not cover it. A stomach tuck can be paid for in a variety of ways, including personal loans, credit cards, CareCredit, or a payment plan with your surgeon.
Make sure you understand all costs up front and look into financing alternatives so you can discover the most cost-effective method to pay for your stomach tuck.