Panniculectomy Cost

Typical costs:

• A panniculectomy typically costs $8,500-$15,000, including the surgeon fee, anesthesia, facility fee and overnight stay in the hospital.
• Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery estimates the cost at $8,500 to $10,000. And Barry Epley^[1] , a plastic surgeon in Indianapolis, quotes a price of $10,000 to $15,000.
• Insurance companies sometimes consider a panniculectomy medically necessary. For example, Aetna^[2] considers a panniculectomy medically necessary only if the excess skin hangs below the pubis and causes chronic dermatitis, irritation, infection or chafing that has not been successfully treated with other medical therapy; otherwise the procedure is considered cosmetic.
• For patients covered by health insurance, costs would typically include an office visit copay and coinsurance of 10% to 50% for the surgery, which could reach the out-of-pocket maximum.

• The patient typically is placed under general anesthesia. The surgeon then makes two incisions -- a horizontal one and a vertical one -- and removes the excess skin and tissue below the belly button, then closes the incisions with sutures. The surgery takes about two hours. Unlike with abdominoplasty, the surgeon typically does not tighten the abdominal muscles.
• After surgery, the patient might need to stay up to a few days in the hospital. Patients may need to take about two weeks off from work, or, up to eight weeks for a job that involves strenuous activity.
• The Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery^[3] offers an overview of the panniculectomy procedure.

• The surgeon probably will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics for recovery. Antibiotics can cost up to $50 or more, depending on the antibiotic prescribed and pain medication typically costs less than $50.
• An abdominal compression garment^[4] can cost $50 to $150 or more.

• Many plastic surgeons offer discounts on multiple procedures; a panniculectomy sometimes is done in conjunction with an abdominoplasty.
• Many surgeons also offer discounts of 5% or more for cash-paying patients.

• A board-certified plastic surgeon should perform a panniculectomy. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons^[5] and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery^[6] offer referral services. It is a good idea to ask the doctor how much experience he or she has performing panniculectomy surgery and to ask to see before-and-after photos of previous patients.
• Suitable candidates for panniculectomy typically are non-smokers in overall good health who maintain a healthful diet and exercise routine and have maintained their weight for about a year.

1.  www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com/blog/tag/abdominal-panniculectomy/
2.  www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/200_299/0211.html
3.  www.yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com/panniculectomy/
4.  www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product/tummytuck/garments/index.vm?procid=11&catid=55
5.  www1.plasticsurgery.org/find_a_surgeon/
6.  www.surgery.org/consumers/find-a-plastic-surgeon

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does an Albuterol Inhaler Cost?		How Much Does an MRI Cost?		How Much Does Radiation Therapy Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

The hot summer weather has started. We cover the cost of central air conditioning. Staying cool during the summer extends to the car. How much is car air conditioning? Is this the summer to finally take those swimming lessons? The Fourth of July is coming up, and we've got the cost of a BBQ grill covered. Spring has sprung. Are you thinking about allergy shots?

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Complete Spine MRI Paid: 3990.00 The total charged was $15554. Insane in the tube for an hour and 15 minutes. and charged for 4 separate MRIs... [more] -Stacey C Spinal MRI Cost Microdermal and lip piercing Paid: 110.00 Leslie is my piercer,she's a rockstar. She's very gentle... [more] -Dee Garland Body Piercings Cost StoneScape pebble resurfacing Paid: 12500.00 I drain my pool to rebalance new water and left it empty for a couple weeks. Plaster began to crack and pop off. Costly mistake for well performing 15-year-old plaster. Side job cost negotiated from $15,000 including coping repairs... [more] -Big mistake Pool Resurfacing Cost Golden Shepherd cross breed Paid: 356.42 My 1 year old puppy was spayed yesterday. It was $356.42 for surgery and meds. The cone was an extra $12.76. She also had her umbilical hernia repaired for an additional $183.23. Grand total $553.18... [more] -Dog mom Dog Spay or Neuter Cost Typhoid Oral Vaccine Paid: 100.00 NOT COVERED... [more] - Typhoid Vaccine Cost AC repair Paid: 847.56 AC was blowing only cool air not cold. Took driving 15 miles before cabin of truck cooled down. Mechanic thought it just needed freon but that was not the case. It needed the whole new system... [more] -Frustrated mom Car Air Conditioning Cost