I had a consult with a surgeon that I just and was quoted $8,500 for an extensive tummy tuck. He said from back of hip to back of hip and repositioning of the belly button. My insurance wont pay for it and I was going to take out a personal loan which is all fine and I expected that – but do you pay what they quote or is there some negotiating room? When you bill insurance, insurance never pays the full amount…. Just wondering – thanks!

 that's probably a good deal, but there's nothing wrong in asking.  I would guess this is his "price" for services.

Mine was $10,300 in the end.  

I had an extended tummy tuck also, and my insurance covered it all.  Your surgeon should take pics and if you were being treated for skin rashes/yeast infections because of your extra skin send that along also.  Good Luck!

 I have insurance through UHC and they usually do cover plastics after WLS - but the company I work for is self funded through UHC and my company has a direct exclusion to any plastics - no matter how bad rash or problems I have - I've checked already - I was hoping they'd cover some of it. 

 I have UHC and the same type of exclusion! It did not matter that I had developed sleep apnea from the excess skin on my face after losing 300 lbs! I would almost smother if I slept on my side! I had to sleep sitting up! The insurance didn't care! I was self pay! I went with Dr Sauceda! He is awesome! And he is going to be in Vegad in June doing in person consults!

Have you considered applying to your insurance for reconstructive work on your tummy, not plastics?
Of course, the dr. has to apply for you, but sometimes success is all in the wording.  My insurance doesn't pay for plastic surgery either, but they paid for reconstructive work on my tummy.  Now they are going to pay for reconstructive work on my arms.  Do check your insurance book/policy,  it might work for you. 

I think that price is very good.  I too was totally self pay.  My insurance covered nothing.  I did not negotiate with my surgeon.  I think it is alittle insulting to them..but that is just me!  I wouldn't do it.  I would negotiate at a garage sale but not with the surgeon working on my body.  That's just me.

Perhaps you can get some luck with your insurance.

good luck to you

Patty

Have you considered Dr Sauceda?  His rate for an LBL is 7k, but that includes up to $600 credit for your airfare, time in the clinic, up to 12 nights at the Hampton Inn, 2 garments...  If you add another procedure the price starts coming down on each addition procedure.

 would like to have a consult with dr sauceda.  how do i set it up? i live in las vegas

I sent you a PM about the consults with Dr Sauceda.
You can click on Dr Sauceda in my siggy line to see his group here on OH.

Hi, that is what I am quoted for. I hear so much about all of the procedures that you can get in Mexico for half the cost. In America, I would not negotiate a rate. You are paying for the years of expertiese. I would like to go to Mexico but am too afraid of the politics, gangs, violence and obductions.

teresa

I have gone to Mexico twice and have had 3 surgeries with Dr Sauceda.  He is amazing!  It's very safe in the area where he does the surgery.  His driver picks you up at the airport and takes you to the Hampton Inn.  Dr S will pick you up for surgery and take you back.  You stay at the clinic as long as you need to after surgery. And then to the Hampton Inn until you go home. I felt very safe.  I never go out after dark and I leave all my valuables in the safe at the hotel.  I think you have to go where you're comfortable, but I feel it is just as safe there as it is in the bigger cities in America. I really wouldn't go out after dark in some of the larger US cities either. 

I would never have had the money to pay for surgery if I had stayed in the states.  My quote for a TT and brachioplasty was $18K - and that was the least of 3 consults.

With that type of surgery you're considering, you are best suited to be within driving distance of your surgeon. These larger truncal contouring procedures have high complication rates and it is generally a poor decision to consider traveling out of the country unless you live near the border. Please note there are currently 3-4 active threads on patients dealing with significant wound or seroma complications from their recent surgeries, some many weeks removed from their initial operation. 

These complications happen to all of us who operate on massive weight loss patients and can be tricky to manage. Not having your surgeon able to see, evaluate, and treat your complication on short notice is problematic.

Dr. Oliver,

I just checked out your site (I live in Alabama, too), and just wanted to say that you do VERY nice work. I'll have to keep you in mind for any future surgery. I very much appreciate when surgeons take the time to stop by this forum and post. It's very helpful. Thanks!

I don't know if you can negotiate with a surgeon over his or her fees, but you should get some other prices from other surgeons. Fees vary widely, even within one area. I'm having a TT (extended) in Pensacola, FL on June 7th. It will be done in the hospital with a one night stay, and my price is only 5500. However, my surgeon is very fast with TT's and enjoys doing them, so she is less expensive than some other surgeons in the same area.

I agree with what the Doc who posted here says, too. I went to Costa Rica for a facelift, but a TT carries a higher risk of complications, so I decided to have it done in the U.S., just in case. Also, the price here for a TT is the same price that I was quoted in Costa Rica, so I'd rather recover at home for this surgery. For facial work, I'd go back to Costa Rica in an instant, but since it's the same price here, and since complications are more common (just look up traveler's medical insurance rates if you want to see what surgeries carry a higher risk), I'll stay home for the TT.

Look up some residency programs for even better rates, if you like. It's a great option, and one that I would consider for myself if money were a huge issue for me.

Actually, I'd feel more comfortable with someone having their facelift done out of the country then an abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, or thigh lift. I say this for 2 reasons:

1. a facelift wouldn't significantly increase your risk of a blood clot (DVT), while the body contouring procedures do. This is an issue with prolonged travel that you might have to do in the weeks following surgery out of country.

2. the major complications you see from a facelift (bleeding, skin loss, or wound breakdown) are usually apparent early after surgery, where you'd presumably still be near your surgeon. The ones from body contouring (seroma or wound breask down)  can be weeks before they flareup

Thanks everyone for the input - I just didn't know what the "norm" was and I was thinking the quoted amount was good and wasn't going to "negotiate" but just was seeing what everyone else would do.  Working on the financing part of it now - hope to have it done in May.  I've had experience with this surgeon before and he's so nice and makes me feel so comfortable that I couldn't consider going to someone else, even if they were cheaper. 

Shop around a little, keep a paper trail for insurance purposes. Mine was $5100.00. Best of luck to you.