Tummy tucks cost about an average of $6000 to 8,000, and this will vary based on the geographical location as well as the doctor’s expertise. It could go as low as $3,000 or as high as $10,000, depending on the extent of the procedure, the geographical area, the surgeon’s expertise, anesthesiologist’s fees, and operating facility fees. If you combine a tummy tuck with any type of liposuction, the charges will be considerably higher, by up to $3,000 per procedure.
Since most tummy tucks are classified as elective and aesthetic procedures, most of the time, you will have to pay out of pocket. Basically, which surgeon you choose may largely depend on your resources. But no matter how you come up with it, the amount of money you spend on getting your body and self-confidence back will be well worth it. If you want to pay cash and have the money already saved, that is great since it means that you can proceed with your surgery when you are ready. If you are still working on coming up with the money, then consider putting aside a certain amount in a designated account until you have enough funds. Sometimes, your surgeon may have a payment plan with or without added interest so that you can pay them in installments pre- or post-operation. This should always be your next option if you do not have cash stowed away for the process. Ask you surgeon during your consultation if he has some type of financing or is affiliated with a company that does.
For those who do not have the immediate resources but have good credit and do not mind paying a little interest on the money borrowed, the use of personal credit cards or healthcare credit cards is also an option. Use of personal credit cards are not recommended unless you have a clear cut plan for repayment. A healthcare credit card is usually a card issued by an independent company for healthcare spending. It normally has a financed plan, so you can borrow and pay back according to whatever plans you choose. You may also consider a personal loan if you don’t want to overextend and ruin your monthly budget. Again, this will have to be paid off with interest, so make sure that you shop around for the best rates.
If you do decide to charge your surgery on your credit card, remember to keep your credit limit in mind. You do not want to go through all the preoperative procedures, arrive to the operating facility on the day of your appointment after having made all arrangements for your surgery to find out that you cannot be operated on because you card was denied. Also, some credit cards are big on fraud protection and may flag and deny large purchases. It’s always a good idea to inform them ahead of time that you will be charging a certain amount of money to your card before you do so that they do not deny a charge that they may consider unusual.
Another benefit to using a credit card is that some of these cards offer low interest with an open balance. That way, you can proceed with the surgery knowing that if anything that demanded more money came up, you have an open line of credit. And for those with cards that earn points or rewards, this may be a good way to rack up some points, again, with a clear re-payment plan.
Healthcare credit cards have also become very popular. There are few healthcare credit cards that offer affordable financing specially endorsed by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unlike conventional credit cards, these cards most often have no-interest financing or fixed-interest rates, no annual fees, no up-front costs, and no prepayment penalties. Make sure to look out for these features if you choose to go for a healthcare credit card.
Personal loans should perhaps be the last resort for a majority of people. A secured loan may not be as easy to obtain or to handle as the other options mentioned. It will probably be the most complicated one. You will most likely need collateral or assets to support the loan. And with the current economic situation, getting a personal loan has gotten much harder. If do go this route, you can take a loan from your bank, credit union, at work, or through other loan providers. Although this may not be easy, it may be your only ticket to getting the money that you need to pay for your surgery.
In all instances, always make the best financial decision for yourself and your family based on the situation at hand.
