Extended Tummy Tuck Cost and Procedure Guide

Significant weight loss or multiple pregnancies can leave you with excess skin that extends beyond your abdomen to your flanks (aka, love handles) and lower back. Diet and exercise will likely not conquer every area of loose skin and excess fat deposits around your waistline and torso, but an extended tummy tuck can.

In this guide, you'll learn how this surgical procedure differs from other types of abdominoplasties in terms of cost, insurance coverage and the recovery process.

What Is an Extended Tummy Tuck?

An extended tummy tuck offers broader contouring than a standard procedure, which only addresses the abdomen.¹ The procedure is designed to address widespread skin laxity (sagging skin) by removing tissue from your entire midsection, including the flanks. It also tightens the abdominal wall.¹

Extended vs. standard tummy tuck

A standard tummy tuck uses a horizontal or U-shaped incision from hip to hip bone, staying within the bikini line. An extended tummy tuck’s incision wraps around your sides to your lower back, allowing your plastic surgeon to remove skin and excess fat from your flanks and lateral thighs.¹ The key differences are in the scope or extent of tissue removal and the incision length. The recovery for an extended tummy tuck is longer, since the incision and surgical area are larger.²

Another option is the mini tummy tuck, which involves a single incision. It focuses on tightening the lower belly. Recovery times are significantly shorter.¹

Are you a good candidate?

You might be a good candidate for an extended tummy tuck if you have lost substantial weight and carry excess skin around your entire midsection. Bariatric surgery patients often choose this procedure since massive weight loss typically affects the whole trunk, not just the abdomen.²

Women who have had more than one pregnancy or a pregnancy with multiples (twins or triplets) may also be interested in the extended approach if skin laxity extends to their back and sides. Here are some factors a plastic surgeon may consider when deciding if you are a good candidate:³

How Much Does an Extended Tummy Tuck Cost?

The average cost* for an extended tummy tuck in the United States is $12,488, with a price range between $9,600 and $24,000.⁴

Calculate the costs of an extended tummy tuck near you*

Average cost of an extended tummy tuck by state/district

Here is a breakdown of specific cost* averages for your state or district:⁴

Does Insurance Cover Extended Tummy Tucks?

Whether your health insurance will cover this procedure depends largely on whether it is medically necessary. Most private insurers and public insurers, like Medicare and Medicaid, rarely cover tummy tuck procedures unless a clear medical purpose exists. Potential exceptions might include severe functional impairment from significant weight loss, but approval remains difficult.⁵ Each case undergoes individual review with strict documentation and pre-approval requirements.⁶

Your insurance company may also consider paying for lesser procedures like a panniculectomy (excess skin removal) or partially paying for abdominoplasty. Because of this, you must work with your cosmetic surgeon’s office from day one and begin documenting any of the following issues you experience:⁶

• Difficulty participating in activities of daily living (showering, dressing, mobility, etc.)
• Infections or cellulitis from chafing
• Recurrent rashes
• Ulcerations

How Does an Extended Tummy Tuck Work?

As with any surgery, it begins with a comprehensive consultation. This is where you will meet with your surgeon to evaluate your skin quality, fat distribution and muscle integrity to develop a customized surgical plan. You’ll discuss your goals, review before-and-after photos and learn about realistic expectations.¹

Preparation

Preoperative testing is necessary for any surgery you undergo — including cosmetic procedures — to confirm you are healthy enough for a safe operation. Blood work checks for anemia, clotting disorders and metabolic issues. Depending on your history, you may need medical clearance from specialists like cardiology, pulmonology and others. These precautions minimize surgical complications and optimize your health for recovery.⁷

For any procedure, your surgeon will give you detailed preoperative instructions tailored to your health status. Some common requirements include:⁸

• Arranging for someone to drive you home and provide care during initial recovery
• Quitting smoking, since smoking severely impairs healing
• Stopping blood-thinning medications two weeks before surgery
• Stopping other medications and supplements as directed

Final preparations occur the night before surgery. Usually, your surgeon will have you shower with antibacterial soap and have nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Remove all jewelry, contact lenses and nail polish. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that opens in front for easy dressing after surgery.⁸

Procedure

Extended tummy tuck surgery begins with getting an IV and the administration of general anesthesia.² Your anesthesiologist will monitor vital signs throughout the procedure to ensure your safety and comfort.

Your surgeon will create an incision extending from hip to hip and wrapping around from the lower abdominal area to your lower back. Incision placement follows natural skin creases when possible, helping minimize visible scarring.²

The surgeon will repair separated or weakened muscles using permanent sutures to create a stronger abdominal wall. This step helps restore your core strength and create a flatter profile. Your belly button will remain attached to its stalk while surgeons work around it.²

Your surgeon will remove tissue from the abdomen, flanks and lower back according to preoperative markings. Many surgeons combine liposuction with direct excision for optimal contouring.²

Finally, your navel is repositioned for the most natural look. Closures and drains will be placed to prevent fluid build-up. The whole procedure can take several hours.²

Recovery

Compared to other types of abdominoplasty, recovery will be slower. Everyone is different, but here are some major milestones:³

• Immediate post-op period. You’ll wake in a recovery room with compression garments supporting your abdomen. Surgical drains exit through small incisions, removing excess fluid during early healing. Pain medication manages discomfort effectively during the first week.
• The first two weeks. This period demands significant rest. You’ll want to sleep in a reclined position to minimize tension on incisions. Walking starts immediately but remains limited to prevent blood clots. Showering typically begins after drain removal around day five to 14.
• Weeks three to six. Returning to work depends on your job demands, but this may be as early as three to four weeks for desk jobs. Compression garments should be worn for most of the day and night during the first 6 weeks.³
• Up to one year. Avoid core-intensive or strenuous activities for the first 6–8 weeks.⁹ Some people may experience numbness or a pulling sensation for weeks or months after a tummy tuck, which is typically normal and often fades with time. Swelling and bruising generally improve over 6 weeks to 3 months and scars may take longer to fade.⁹

Consider Your Options with an Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck procedure offers comprehensive body contouring if you have excess skin affecting your entire midsection. It goes beyond standard tummy tucks by addressing love handles and lower back tissue that diet and exercise cannot improve. Understanding the extensive nature of this surgery, from the wraparound incision to the longer recovery period, can help you decide whether this transformation aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

Financing a Tummy Tuck With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for tummy tucks and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Pamela Cagle, R.N., has extensive experience in a range of clinical settings, including ER, surgical and cardiovascular. For the past decade, she has leveraged her nursing experience in writing for health and technology publications such as AARP, VKTR, National Council on Aging and others. She is passionate about blending her medical and storytelling expertise to bring authenticity to health and wellness topics.