Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck: A Tummy Tuck Alternative

A non-surgical tummy tuck is an alternative to traditional tummy tuck surgery. As a cosmetic procedure, it is an option for those who want to slim their midsection but are not interested in having a full tummy tuck. Read on for more information on the types and costs.

What Is a Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck?

A non-surgical tummy tuck is a form of noninvasive body contouring, sometimes referred to as body sculpting. It can:

• Help improve the tone and firmness of certain muscles
• Reduce the appearance of cellulite
• Change your body's shape by reducing small areas of fat
• Change the circumference of an area on the body, like the waist or thighs

Non-surgical tummy tuck vs. abdominoplasty

A full tummy tuck — also called abdominoplasty — involves a cut along the bikini line to remove excess skin and perform internal muscle repair. It can remove fat above and below the belly button. It's the most invasive of the tummy tuck options.¹

Non-surgical tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck

A mini tummy tuck involves a smaller incision and addresses the skin and fat below the belly button. It's often not used to address any separated muscles or loose skin that is on the upper or middle part of the abdomen.¹

How Much Does a Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck Cost?

The average cost of non-surgical fat reduction is $1,226, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.² Note that this pricing likely does not include related expenses, such as prescription medication, what the surgeon charges and any additional costs added by the place you have the surgery.²

Here are some costs for the different types of non-surgical tummy tucks:

Types of Non-Surgical Tummy Tucks

A non-surgical tummy tuck is designed to get rid of excess areas of adipose tissue or fat on the stomach or thighs that still linger after the person has tried diet and exercise. It's an alternative to surgery and liposuction and is done using body fat-dissolving injection formulas or advanced technologies that use radiofrequency body contouring methods.⁶

Plastic surgeons provide noninvasive tummy tucks using some of the following technologies, treatments and procedures:

• InMode EvolveX® is a noninvasive radiofrequency (RF) machine that delivers heat to the problem area, burning fat and tightening muscles through RF electromagnetic pulses.⁷
• Renuvion® is an abdominal treatment (also called J Plasma) that tightens and rejuvenates loose skin, as well as other areas of the body that have stubborn fat. This procedure involves making small incisions in the treatment area and using radiofrequency waves that are converted to plasma gas, creating a stream of energy and heat that contracts skin and tightens it.⁸
• CoolSculpting® is a tummy tuck alternative procedure involving a device that applies intense cold to an area to freeze fat cells and destroy them.⁹
• Injection lipolysis is a procedure that uses a chemical injection, called deoxycholic acid, that reduces the number of fat cells around the injection area. Kybella is a common injection lipolysis.¹⁰
• BodyTite® is a minimally invasive tummy tuck treatment that's designed to zap stubborn fat in the belly or other areas of the body. It requires small incisions, and the radiofrequency lipolysis device reduces fat in the body under the skin by killing the fat while tightening the fibers in and around the skin.¹¹
• ThermiTight® is a body-tightening procedure that involves heating the skin to reach the subdermal tissues and results in tightening loose skin on the body.¹²
• EmSculpt® is a tummy tuck alternative that uses a special device to induce muscle contractions — up to 20,000 muscle contractions in a treatment. It does the ab exercises for you and can result in a firmer, flatter ab area with better muscle tone.⁹

Benefits of Non-Surgical Tummy Tucks

Since these cosmetic procedures are less invasive, they have some specific benefits when compared to traditional tummy tuck surgery, including:

• Don't need to be put under general anesthesia
• Little to no scarring or potential long-term side effects
• Faster healing with most patients not requiring any downtime
• May boost collagen production in skin and body, leading to tighter and smoother skin
• May have noticeable improvements in physique and skin firmness soon after sessions

Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck Candidates

The ideal candidate for this type of tummy tuck is someone who:¹³

• Is healthy and within a healthy weight range
• Is unhappy with the appearance of their belly and wants fast results
• Has probably already tried diet and exercise and struggles to shape up this part of their body
• Plans to eat healthy, reduce alcohol and stay in shape after this non-surgical procedure
• Is not a smoker

Are Non-Surgical Tummy Tucks Covered by Insurance?

If your non-surgical tummy tuck is for cosmetic reasons and not deemed medically necessary, it's likely that your health insurance will not cover the procedure.¹⁴

Other factors may increase the amount you pay for a non-surgical tummy tuck, including:

• Location. You will likely pay more in a metropolitan area than in a small town.
• Your body. How much fat and skin you want to fix can determine the number of times you'll need to return for more treatments.
• Fees associated with the treatment. You might require consultations before and after the procedure, have medical tests, need to pay for local anesthesia to the affected area, have to pay surgical center fees and need to pay for prescription medications.¹⁵

Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck Recovery

Recovery for a non-surgical abdominoplasty alternative depends on the procedure you get done. For instance:

• You might experience some discomfort and soreness — pain as if you did thousands of crunches — if you got EmSculpt.⁹
• If you had a CoolSculpting procedure, you might notice redness, swelling and bruising in the area where the treatment was applied.¹⁵
• If you're in good health and are minding your doctor's orders with post-procedure care, recovery for most of these procedures should be minimal.

How Long Do Results Last?

Some results for these non-surgical tummy tuck procedures will take a few months to completely reveal themselves, like with CoolSculpting.³ Others that have radiofrequencies will likely result in flatter, tighter areas immediately.⁴

How long the results last depends on if you maintain your weight, lose weight or gain weight. For example, if you gain weight and had CoolSculpting done in your abdomen, new fat cells will replace those that froze and died.¹⁵ Kybella results can last one to two years for most patients.⁵

Financing Non-Surgical Tummy Tucks With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting tummy tucks or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. 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

Diana Kelly Levey is a freelance journalist, content marketing writer and author with more than 15 years of experience covering health and wellness.