Posted March 12, 2025 in Abdominoplasty
5 Min Read:
It’s undeniable that cost is a huge factor for prospective plastic surgery patients, but plastic surgery prices can be obscure and varied. This blog details the factors that go into the cost of plastic surgery procedures and how to determine the cost of abdominoplasty in Bellevue, Washington.
Average Plastic Surgery Costs
When it comes to plastic surgery, one of the most common questions that patients want to know is how much their procedure will cost. It’s undeniable that cost is a high priority, so why are plastic surgery prices so varied?
There’s a lot that goes into the cost, much of which is concealed until the patient sits down for a consultation with a surgeon. But there are a few ways to determine the cost of any procedure, which we’ll break down below.
What Makes Up the Cost of a Tummy Tuck?
If you’ve just started your abdominoplasty research, you may have noticed that most plastic surgery websites have vague pricing or none at all. Why is this?
Most plastic surgery websites do not include specific pricing on any one procedure because they are unique and have many factors that make up the final cost. But that doesn’t mean you have to go into this blind. There are a few common factors that go into determining the cost of plastic surgery, which can be broken down into a rough estimate even before an initial consultation: surgical fees, anesthesia fees, and facility fees.
Surgical Fees
One of the greatest variables of cosmetic or plastic surgery is the surgical fee. Surgical fees refer to the “base” price of a procedure, which is the cost of performing the tummy tuck itself.
The surgical fee includes your plastic surgeon’s take-home amount, but another part of it will go towards the cost of running a practice, such as rent on the building or paying staff. This fee can also fluctuate depending on the surgeon’s level of expertise in the procedure. For example, if your surgeon specializes in body contouring procedures, they may have published research articles on the procedure, presented seminars on it, or even invented new techniques to perfect it. If your plastic surgeon is well-known for performing a tummy tuck, you may be paying more in surgical fees, but you get the peace of mind that your results will be exceptional.
Additionally, surgical fees will vary depending on the difficulty of the procedure itself, plus any additional variations that the specific surgery may involve. For example, different techniques for a tummy tuck (traditional tummy tucks versus mini, etc.) all have varying levels of complexity and cost.
Anesthesia Fees
This refers to the cost of administering anesthesia, the cost of the anesthesia medications and tools, and the cost of paying the anesthesiologist.
Abdominoplasty is usually performed using general anesthesia, so you will be completely unconscious during the procedure. This is to ensure not only your comfort but the efficacy of the surgery, as this procedure is more invasive than others. General anesthesia is more expensive than local, so this will add to the cost.
Facility Fees
When you undergo your tummy tuck, it will be performed in an operating room. This will either be in an outpatient surgical center or a hospital. The facility fee is usually a fixed amount based on the type of facility and the type and length of procedure. Essentially, facility fees cover everything that goes into performing the procedure outside of anesthesia and the surgical fee. This may include the cost of nursing care, medical supplies (including operating equipment), and any drugs used during the procedure.
How to Determine the Price of a Tummy Tuck
The best way to determine the final cost is to schedule a consultation with your board-certified plastic surgeon, who can explain how their practice breaks down each of these fees. It is during your consultation that you will discuss other factors that inform cost, including combining your tummy tuck with liposuction and BodyTite™ for a 360-degree result.
How Do I Know I’m Getting a Good Tummy Tuck Price?
Plastic surgery is very much a “you get what you pay for” industry, so it’s important to put more emphasis on the credentials of your plastic surgeon, the safety of the surgical center, and the level of care you can expect. If the cost estimate is low and your surgeon has less than stellar credentials, or you don’t feel confident in your choice, don’t sacrifice your safety and comfort to save some money.
It’s always ideal to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has the experience, credentials, and a history of positive patient results. Dr. Stephens is the premier plastic surgeon in the Pacific Northwest, providing natural-looking results in a safe and comfortable environment.
Dr. Stephens is also considered a body contouring expert, having perfected cutting-edge technologies and methods to create beautiful abdominoplasty results in his state-of-the-art surgical facility. When you choose Dr. Stephens for your tummy tuck, you can rest assured you are investing in the highest quality care and results.
Interested in a Tummy Tuck in Bellevue, WA?
If you’re interested in discovering what abdominoplasty from an expert plastic surgeon can do for you, call David Stephens, MD Plastic Surgery today at (425) 455-0444 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation.
