How much does skin removal surgery cost, and how to pay for it
Find out how much skin removal surgery costs, whether insurance covers it, and other ways to pay, including grants and fundraising.
There is so much to celebrate after massive weight loss, including new health, new confidence, and a whole new life. But even after working hard to shed a significant amount of weight, pounds of heavy, sagging skin can remain and lead to both physical and psychological distress. Skin removal surgery can remove excess skin and tissue, potentially improving comfort, mobility, and quality of life after significant weight loss. Below, find out more about skin removal surgery costs and how to get skin removal surgery covered by insurance, as well as other ideas to pay for the expensive procedure.
What is excess skin removal surgery?
Excess skin removal surgery is a type of cosmetic surgery that involves various body contouring procedures. These may include lower and upper body lifts, thigh and buttock lifts, panniculectomy, brachioplasty (arm lift), mastopexy (breast lift), and more.
What is a panniculectomy?
A panniculectomy is a surgery that removes the pannus, the apron of excess skin and fat that can hang over the lower abdomen after significant weight loss. Unlike a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), it doesn’t tighten the abdominal muscles. Its main goal is to relieve problems like rashes, infections, and discomfort rather than to change appearance. That’s why it’s more likely to be covered by insurance.
Facts to know about excess skin removal
- Surgeons have been removing skin and fat since the turn of the last century. Liposuction came along in the ’60s and ’70s.
- More than 173,000 abdominoplasty surgeries and more than 10,800 lower body lifts were performed in 2025, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
- In 2025, there were nearly 1.3 million reconstructive surgeries.
- Tummy tuck recovery is different for every person. In general, you’ll have to avoid arduous physical activity for four to six weeks.
- Qualified surgeons will not perform any type of body contouring surgery unless you have maintained a stable weight for at least three to six months.
- The 2025 ASPS report also found significant growth across body lift procedures alongside rising demand following major weight loss, including an increase in consultations related to GLP-1 medications.
What to expect before and during surgery
Before getting excess skin removal surgery, you’ll receive recommendations from your plastic surgeon. This can include stopping certain medications that raise the risk of bleeding, quitting smoking, and getting blood work done.
Most of the procedures involve general anesthesia and can be done in stages, depending on what areas are treated. Your surgery might be planned for a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility. Expect multiple incisions to remove skin and reshape the body. The number of surgeries and types of incisions will determine how your recovery plan looks.
Good candidates for skin removal surgery
For you to be a good candidate, your weight must be maintained for roughly three to six months if you have dropped large amounts of weight or undergone bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass. The better candidates are non-smokers in good general health with realistic expectations about the outcome. This means understanding that skin removal surgery can reduce excess, loose skin and improve body contours, but it will leave permanent scars and may not produce perfectly smooth, symmetrical, or idealized results.
How much does skin removal surgery cost?
How much is skin removal surgery? It depends on the procedure. Skin removal procedures are considered elective, and prices can vary widely. Factors that affect cost include geographic location, surgical center, and surgeon qualifications. Below are the latest average surgeon’s fees from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which don’t include anesthesia, facility, or other costs, plus the average total cost of a panniculectomy:
- Panniculectomy: about $7,000 on average, typically $5,393 to $13,618, according to CareCredit
- Lower body lift: $11,397
- Upper arm lift (brachioplasty): $6,192
- Thigh lift: $7,641
- Mastopexy (breast lift): $6,816
Additional expenses:
- General anesthesia
- Facility and material fees
- Prescription medications
- Post-op supplies and follow-up visits
Financing options: how to pay for skin removal surgery
Paying for excess skin removal surgery doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few ways to manage costs:
1. Talk to your doctor
Curious about how to get skin removal surgery covered by insurance? Insurance companies won’t pay for surgery unless you can prove that it’s medically necessary, so you’ll first want to consult your board-certified plastic surgeon. Start writing down everything you’ve done to help yourself with your medical problems, so your doctor knows surgery is really a last resort.
2. Decide which type of surgery is best
Depending on your condition and goals, your physician may recommend a specific procedure such as a panniculectomy, brachioplasty, or lower body lift. Each is beneficial, risky, and costly in its own way. Be sure to consider your options, what will be the most sensible for your needs, and what your insurance is most likely to cover.
3. Use your health insurance
If surgery is medically necessary, your health insurance plan may cover it. As an example, if the excess skin is leading to infections, difficulty moving, or persistent discomfort, your provider might include a panniculectomy as a part of your treatment plan. This is more likely if your doctor is able to document how the sagging skin is affecting your daily life.
Make sure to keep detailed medical records, especially if the surgery is recommended after bariatric surgery or significant weight loss. Cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a facelift or neck lift, on the other hand, are typically not covered unless they serve a functional purpose.
For insurance purposes, a medically necessary panniculectomy is generally distinguished from a cosmetic abdominoplasty by documented functional or medical problems. ASPS coverage criteria commonly require the pannus, the overhanging skin and fat, to extend to or below the pubic area or meet a specified grading threshold.
After weight loss surgery or other major weight loss, insurers commonly require the patient’s weight to have remained stable for a documented period, often about six months. ASPS recommendations include weight-stability considerations following substantial weight loss. Requirements vary by insurer and Medicare contractor, so the specific plan’s medical-necessity policy should always be checked.
An abdominoplasty performed solely to improve appearance is generally considered cosmetic and is typically not covered, while a panniculectomy meeting medical-necessity criteria may qualify for coverage. Documentation from both your primary care provider and surgeon can strengthen an insurance claim.
4. Start a GoFundMe
Thousands have turned to GoFundMe and other online platforms to crowdfund for medical and cosmetic procedures. This is especially helpful for those denied insurance or needing to cover a deductible.
When you start a fundraiser, be sure to share your journey and explain what the funds will cover. Many people are inspired to support a loved one’s next step in their weight loss journey.
5. Bundle procedures and pay in cash
Some surgical centers provide discounts to patients when they bundle procedures or pay cash up front. Ask whether you can save money with a combined tummy tuck and another body contouring procedure, for example. Many clinics provide discounts of 5 to 10% for payments made in advance.
6. Look into panniculectomy specifically if you qualify
If your main concern is an apron of excess skin and tissue hanging from the lower abdomen, ask your surgeon whether a panniculectomy may be appropriate. Unlike many cosmetic body contouring procedures, a panniculectomy can sometimes be considered reconstructive and medically necessary, which may make it eligible for insurance coverage. Review the medical necessity and documentation requirements discussed in item 3 above and check your insurer’s specific criteria. Given the potential cost of a panniculectomy shown in the cost table, qualifying for coverage could significantly reduce what you pay out of pocket. If insurance covers only part of the procedure, or does not cover it at all, a GoFundMe fundraiser is another option for helping with the remaining cost.
Are there grants for skin removal surgery?
Grants specifically for elective skin removal or body contouring surgery are limited, and available programs can be highly competitive. Charitable medical assistance is more commonly available when treatment is considered medically necessary rather than cosmetic. That makes the insurance pathway discussed above particularly important for a panniculectomy, which may qualify for coverage when it meets an insurer’s medical necessity requirements.
The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America, for example, offers grants for people in financial need who are referred by a qualified bariatric or plastic surgeon, including for reconstructive surgery after weight loss. It also has a partial grant program. Grant programs can open, close, or change eligibility requirements, so check that a program is currently accepting applications before providing personal or financial information.
Success stories from real people
Miss_itty_britty raised over $11,500 to cover skin removal after losing 300+ pounds.
Jesse lost nearly 400 pounds and raised more than $20,000 to remove his excess skin.
Casey, a former participant on My 600-Lb Life, raised over $20,000 to undergo transformative skin removal surgery.
Accessibility and next steps
Extra skin can present daily challenges, especially if it involves loose skin around your abdominal muscles, arms, or legs. The removal of excess skin can greatly enhance your quality of life, no matter whether your motivation is for cosmetic reasons or of a more physical nature. While it’s an elective procedure, the right support and financing plan make it more accessible.
Find financial relief for weight loss surgery
You’ve made great progress on your weight loss journey, and you should feel your best. Whether you need emotional support from your community, are considering insurance coverage, or want to start a fundraiser, there are resources like GoFundMe and people who can assist. Start a GoFundMe to get the support you need for the next step of your journey.
Skin removal surgery cost FAQs
A panniculectomy costs about $7,000 on average, with costs typically ranging from $5,393 to $13,618, according to 2025 CareCredit cost data. The actual cost can vary significantly based on factors such as your location and the extent of the procedure. Your out-of-pocket expense may also be lower if insurance covers part of the surgery. See the insurance section above for information about when a panniculectomy may qualify for coverage.
Yes, but coverage depends on why the surgery is needed. Health insurance generally does not cover skin removal procedures performed solely for cosmetic reasons, such as an abdominoplasty to improve appearance. However, a panniculectomy may be covered when excess abdominal skin causes documented medical or functional problems, and the procedure meets your insurer’s medical necessity requirements. See the “Use your health insurance” section above for more information about eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and coverage.
Fully free elective skin removal or body contouring surgery is very uncommon. Offers described as “free” may instead involve insurance covering a medically necessary panniculectomy, limited grant assistance, or a surgical center promotion rather than the entire cost of an elective procedure. For most people, a more realistic approach is to combine insurance coverage when applicable with available grants, financing, and fundraising to reduce or manage the remaining out-of-pocket cost.