Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck Cost and Procedure Guide

Want to have a flatter belly and reduce abdominal fat without surgery? A non-surgical tummy tuck could be the option if you're looking to slim your 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 an alternative to traditional tummy tuck surgery and a form of non-invasive body contouring, sometimes referred to as body sculpting.¹ It is designed to get rid of excess areas of adipose tissue or fat on the stomach or thighs that still linger after a person has tried diet and exercise.²

Non-surgical tummy tucks are performed using body fat-dissolving injection formulas or advanced technologies, such as FDA-approved devices that harness radio frequencies for body contouring.³

Benefits

A non-surgical tummy tuck offers the following benefits:²

• Alters the body's shape by reducing small areas of fat
• Doesn't require general anesthesia
• Has little to no potential long-term side effects
• Helps improve the tone and firmness of certain muscles¹
• Leaves little to no scarring
• May boost collagen production in the skin and body, leading to tighter and smoother skin¹
• May have noticeable improvements in physique and skin firmness soon after sessions
• Offers faster healing with most patients, requiring little, if any, downtime
• Reduces the appearance of cellulite

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 repair internal muscle. It can also remove fat above and below the belly button. It's the most invasive tummy tuck option.⁴

The national average cost* of a tummy tuck in the United States is $8,205.⁵

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 not typically used to address any separated muscles or loose skin that is on the upper or middle part of the abdomen.⁴

The national average cost* of a mini tummy tuck in the United States is $6,247.⁶

Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck Options

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

• CoolSculpting^® is a tummy tuck alternative procedure involving a device that applies intense cold to an area to freeze fat cells and destroy them.²
• CoolTone^® involves using an FDA-cleared device to firm, tone and tighten certain areas of the body, such as the thighs, abdomen and butt. It uses magnetic muscle stimulation (MMS) technology to create muscle contractions that stimulate muscle fibers, strengthening the muscles under layers of fat.⁷
• Injection lipolysis (Kybella^®) or lipolysis is a procedure that uses a chemical injection called deoxycholic acid to reduce the number of fat cells around the injection area.⁸
• Thermage^® is a cosmetic procedure that is an FDA-approved form of radiofrequency skin tightening. Radiofrequency skin tightening is a treatment dermatologists use to boost collagen production and firm areas prone to laxity, including the neck, jowls, eyelids, buttocks, abdomen and other extremities. The procedure is painless and usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes.⁹

Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck Cost

The national average cost* of a non-surgical tummy tuck can range between $550 and $5,878, depending on the type of procedure. As with many of these procedures, costs vary across the U.S. depending on where you live and tend to be more expensive in metropolitan areas that have a high cost of living.⁵

Calculate the cost of a CoolSculpting procedure near you

Average cost of non-surgical tummy tucks by procedure

Here are the average costs* and cost ranges of non-surgical tummy tuck options.⁵ Keep in mind that the size of the area on the body can impact the cost of a non-surgical tummy tuck treatment as well as the number of treatments needed.

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.

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.
• Fees associated with the treatment. You may need to pay for consultations before and after the procedure, medical tests, surgical center or facility fees, local anesthesia to the affected area or prescription medications.¹⁰
• Your body. How much fat and skin you want to change can determine the number of times you'll need to return for more treatments.

Recovering From a Non-Surgical Tummy Tuck

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

• If you're in good health and follow your doctor's instructions regarding post-procedure care, recovery for most of these procedures should be minimal.
• After a CoolSculpting procedure, you might notice redness, swelling and numbness in the area where the treatment was applied.²
• A Thermage procedure is usually painless, and you might only notice temporary redness in the treatment area.⁹

How Long Do Results Last?

The lasting results of a non-surgical tummy tuck procedure depend on which one you've had. Some results for these non-surgical tummy tuck procedures, like CoolSculpting, will take a few months to completely reveal themselves.² Others, like Kybella, can take a few weeks.⁸

The results depend on whether you maintain your weight, lose weight or gain weight.² If you gain weight after having CoolSculpting done on your abdomen, new fat cells will replace those that froze and died.

Financing Non-Surgical Tummy Tucks With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting a non-surgical tummy tuck 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.