“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.
What is the difference between tummy tuck and Panniculectomy?
The surgical procedures of panniculectomy and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) are used to remove excess lower belly skin. They can both be used to treat people who have lost a lot of weight due to natural or surgical causes.
The purpose of a panniculectomy is to remove hanging skin, but a stomach tuck enhances your muscles and waistline while also providing contouring effects. Both treatments can be performed at the same time if desired.
Both operations have the same goal: to remove extra skin from the stomach. However, you must understand the key differences between the two in order to achieve the desired results.
Does insurance cover belly fat removal?
- Liposuction is often not covered by Medicare because it is considered a cosmetic operation.
- If a cosmetic operation like liposuction is medically necessary to address an accident or restore a defective body component, Medicare may cover it.
- Even if liposuction isn’t covered by Medicare, you can be qualified for alternative therapies.
Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes fat from a specific area of the body using suction. The abdomen, neck, and buttocks are some of the most typical sites for fat removal.
Liposuction was the second most popular cosmetic surgery performed in the United States in 2019, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). About 10% of the surgeries were performed on persons aged 55 and up.
Despite the fact that liposuction is a common practice, insurance companies often consider it cosmetic surgery and will not pay it. Medicare is not an exception.
Continue reading to find out when Medicare will cover liposuction, how to apply for coverage, and more.
Does insurance pay for tummy tuck for back pain?
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, is a procedure that removes extra fat and skin from the stomach. Dr. Paul Zwiebel, a Denver plastic surgeon, may tighten abdominal muscles, pull in the waist line, and tone the entire abdominal area with a stomach tuck. Abdominoplasty may provide certain health benefits, including as fat reduction, core strength and balance restoration, and increased mobility – all of which can improve exercise capacity. Tummy tuck surgery may also be beneficial in the treatment of chronic back discomfort caused by obesity. Abdominoplasty, despite all of these advantages, is not covered by insurance.
At the Zwiebel Center for Plastic Surgery, we believe that money should not be a barrier to individuals seeking procedures that can improve their physical and emotional well-being. That’s why we provide a variety of cosmetic surgery financing solutions to fit almost any budget and make tummy tuck surgery a reality.
If you’re thinking about having an abdominoplasty but are concerned about the expense, call our Highlands Ranch office at 303-470-3400 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zwiebel and learn more about your options. Dr. Zwiebel is a compassionate and board-certified plastic surgeon who seeks to fulfill the needs of each patient he sees. He would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your abdominoplasty financing choices as well as the many benefits that stomach tuck surgery has to offer.
Will insurance pay for a tummy tuck if you have Diastasis Recti?
Surgery is an option, but it is usually not covered by insurance because it is considered cosmetic; the most common surgical operation used to address DR is a “tummy tuck,” which is intended to make the belly leaner and firmer.
Do I qualify for a Panniculectomy?
If you’ve recently lost a lot of weight and want to get rid of loose belly skin, you might be a good candidate for a panniculectomy. Excess skin hanging below the pubic region is causing hygienic problems. Under the dangling skin, you keep developing ulcers, infections, and other problems.
Who should not get a tummy tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery is regarded as significant surgery. Patients should be aware that a stomach tuck is not appropriate for everyone. Dr. Mizuguchi will assist patients set realistic expectations during a one-on-one appointment. He’ll examine each patient, devise a surgical strategy, and make sure there aren’t any underlying issues, such as the ones listed below, that could cause the procedure to be delayed:
Do you take any drugs, anticoagulants, or supplements that could cause problems?
What is better than a tummy tuck?
A liposuction surgery is significantly less invasive than a stomach tuck. It may be used to remove excess fat from practically any portion of the body, including the stomach, back, arms, legs, and even under the chin.
A saline, water, and anesthetic solution is injected into the fat cells to be removed during the treatment. The fat is then sucked out using a cannula similar to an IV needle. As a result, the figure is more contoured.
Liposuction, unlike a belly tuck, does not remove extra skin. As a result, it’s best for removing tiny fat deposits. Furthermore, liposuction is not a weight-loss technique, and you will not lose a significant amount of weight with this procedure.
Although the fat cells are permanently removed, lipo does not prevent weight growth in the future. Diet and exercise will be required to maintain your new physique.
How long is recovery from tummy tuck?
You should schedule your rehabilitation so that you have enough time to heal and may take a break from some elements of your life. Make sure you’ve made all of the necessary preparations and are ready to go for your recovery time.
After the surgery, your drains will be left in for a few days. You will be taught how to clean and empty the drains. While your drains are in place, you’ll probably need to take an antibiotic and an anticoagulant.
An abdominal binder will be worn for roughly six weeks. This aids in the prevention of fluid buildup and the support of your abdomen.
While the recovery time for a mini-tummy tuck is usually shorter, you’ll still need to avoid vigorous activity for at least six weeks. Any strenuous workout or heavy lifting falls under this category.
How much is a mommy makeover?
Let’s start with a basic explanation of what a mommy makeover is and what it comprises in most cases.
Even the healthiest mothers who strive tirelessly to regain their pre-pregnancy figures discover that the effects of pregnancy are irreversible and cannot be exercised away. When the body is stretched and tugged, excess skin is left behind, and the swelling and subsequent shrinking of the breasts can leave them flat and sagging.
‘Mommy makeover’ is an old phrase for a sequence of surgeries that surgically restores the pre-baby shape as closely as feasible. A mommy makeover is, at its most basic level, any breast surgery combined with any abdominal surgery. You can reduce recuperation time and get back on your feet faster by doing both procedures at the same time.
A mommy makeover consists of a breast procedure combined with one of the following body surgeries:
Breast augmentation
Breast augmentation may be the perfect decision if your breasts have lost volume or are sagging more than you would like. You can walk away with either saline- or silicone-filled implants after a one- to two-hour operation. Although breast implants are a permanent treatment, they may need to be changed after a few years.
While it’s important to have a basic awareness of the other aspects that determine the cost of a breast augmentation, the breast implant you choose is one of the most important. The cost of breast augmentation surgery varies depending on the patient’s surgical goals and needs.
When comparing the cost of silicone versus saline breast implants, consider the look and feel you want to attain. Would you prefer a substance that is a little firmer but has a similar composition to the fluid that makes up the majority of the human body for a more natural look and feel, or would you prefer a substance that is a little firmer but has a similar composition to the fluid that makes up the majority of the human body?
- Breast implants made of silicone gel are more expensive because they are filled with a cohesive gel that holds together uniformly while keeping the natural give of breast flesh. To ensure uniform fill quantities, the manufacturer prepares these and tests them for quality. Because there are various distinct types of silicone implants, the cost each implant varies. There are various silicone implants, such as ‘gummy bear’ or’shaped’ implants, that are more expensive than traditional round silicone implants. Austin-Weston surgeons provide every commercially available breast implant available in the United States.
- Because they are filled with a saltwater solution similar to the fluid that makes up the majority of the human body, saline-filled breast implants are less expensive, but they are slightly stiffer to the touch and are filled by the surgeon during the breast augmentation operation.
Breast lift
If the idea of implants makes you feel uneasy, a breast lift may be the way to go for a mommy makeover that restores that desired young shape and appearance. Perky breasts don’t have to be a thing of the past; this technique provides an alternative to re-inflating sagging, droopy, or improperly formed breasts. Excess skin is removed, breast tissue is elevated, and nipples and areolae are repositioned or even shrunk.
Temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising, and scarring, similar to breast augmentation, are possible adverse effects. The treatment might take anywhere from an hour and a half to more than three hours, but the good news is that the benefits are long-lasting. You can’t entirely stop gravity, but you can put it on hold for a while. In one to two weeks, most patients should be able to return to work.
Breast augmentation with lift
Because the breasts tend to spread and lose shape and volume after pregnancy, many women who have had children are great candidates for a combination breast augmentation with concomitant complete lift. This surgery, on the other hand, can be advantageous for any woman who wishes to increase the size of her breasts while also reducing breast sagging.
Breast Reduction
Women who have pain in their backs, necks, and shoulders, or who have indentations in their bra straps, may benefit from a breast reduction. A breast reduction can also help women who seek a lower breast size and better breast form.
Tummy tuck
An abdominoplasty, often known as a stomach tuck, is a treatment that takes two to five hours to complete. Your surgeon will remove superfluous skin, realign your navel, and tighten your abdominal wall to give your weak abdominal muscles new vitality.
A belly tuck leaves a scar, and recovery is lengthy you can return to work and motherhood in one to three weeks, but it could take longer depending on your physical condition. The end result, though, can be a much flatter tummy and a much slimmer waist.
Liposuction
Although liposuction is referred to as “body shaping,” the surgery is far from glamorous. Having fat pulled out of your body isn’t as glamorous as it sounds, but the benefits can be incredible and immediate. If you’ve ever seen liposuction on TV, you know how brutal it can be. However, there are newer ways that alleviate some of the pain by melting the fat using ultrasound first.
Keep in mind that liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss. It can, however, help to get rid of stubborn fat that refuses to respond to diet and exercise. This means that you shouldn’t be surprised if your doctor advises you to reduce additional weight before undergoing this treatment.
The procedure might take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on how much area you want liposuctioned. Bruising, pain, and even numbness are possible side effects, but the final contour is usually seen after three months. You should be able to return to work in one to two weeks, but you should plan on wearing a compression garment for up to six weeks to encourage your skin to contract and reduce swelling.
Mommy makeover statistics
It’s vital to remember that the price of a mommy makeover varies greatly from one patient to the next and frequently excludes other surgery-related costs. The surgeon’s charge, facility fee, anesthesia fee, post-surgery fees, and implant cost are the key costs that go into your total.
So, to give you a quick response, the total cost of a mommy makeover surgery can range from $9,000 to $20,000.
However, the final cost will be determined by a number of factors and variables, including:
Surgeon selection
Because they have varied amenities at their disposal and varying degrees of experience and accreditations, all surgeons have their own technique to executing mommy makeovers.
It’s reasonable to believe that choosing a surgeon has the greatest impact on the entire cost of surgery. Our four board-certified plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, for example, have a combined 75 years of experience and have built a solid reputation in Northern Virginia and the DC Metro area.
We can only speak for ourselves when we say that each operation is preceded by a thorough consultation including computer analysis and imaging technologies, as well as the expert eye of our surgeons, to ensure that we provide our patients with satisfactory and life-changing outcomes.
Geographic location
Plastic surgery expenses vary based on geographic locations, such as big urban centers, because physicians in these areas have higher overhead costs. So, the first step in determining how much you’ll pay is to look at the fees in your location and the cost of living there.
Using the Healthcare Blue Book to get a ballpark price for treatments depending on location (it works the same way Kelley Blue Book lists the prices of cars).
Surgical facility
The surgical facility is an important consideration not only because of the overall expense, but also because it may place a value on your safety and satisfaction.
In the decision-making process, it’s vital to have your surgery performed in an accredited surgical facility by qualified staff. Don’t try to save money by having your surgery done at a non-accredited facility or by a surgeon who isn’t certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
The Austin-Weston Center is a stunning free-standing surgery center in Reston, Virginia, with five operating rooms. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), an organization that accredits office-based surgical facilities, has fully accredited our state-of-the-art facility.
Our surgeons are fully insured and board qualified in plastic surgery, and our Certified Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are nationally certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. Additionally, all of our staff is licensed and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
Surgery-related expenses
You should inquire directly with the surgeon if these are the total fees included in your estimate. Because there is no predetermined dollar amount for such expenses, it is vital to weigh your options by consulting with a number of surgeons and obtaining estimates for not only their physician fees but also any additional surgical-related costs.
Make careful to factor in the following surgery-related costs when calculating the cost of a mommy makeover:
Anesthesia fees
Anesthesia costs for mommy makeover surgery can also differ. The cost will be higher if you use a board-certified anesthesiologist. The cost will be less if you use a CRNA (nurse anesthetist). Another cost-cutting factor is when a doctor uses a non-certified anesthetist nurse or a medical assistant to administer anesthetic medications (and yes, unfortunately, this does happen). Anesthetic fees are charged by the hour, so if the surgeon takes his time to provide the best possible results, the anesthesia fee would be greater. This can also vary based on the surgical approach employed, which can take longer or shorter depending on the circumstances.