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

Make sure your gutters are clean before they start to fill up again this fall. Are you planning a Labor Day picnic? Need a new charcoal grill? Pruning trees before the storm season can help ensure dead branches won't imperil your home. Looking for help to take care of your garden? How much does garden service cost. The late August sun can leave a mark. Check out sunburn treatment options.

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

UTI urgent care visit Paid: 147.00 Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more] -nervouschomper Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost Spanish Medical Interpreter Paid: 150.00 I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more] -Gregory Richardson Interpreter Cost Dat Paid: 495.00 This is how much I am paying... [more] -Calista Christian Dental Admission Test Cost Shingrix Paid: 48.00 ... [more] -Not that BB Shingles Vaccine Cost Skin prick allergy test Paid: 573.00 Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more] -D’s mom Allergy Testing Cost Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat Paid: 0.00 13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more] -Terrimarie Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost