Body surgery
Tummy tuck
Removes loose skin and repairs separated stomach muscles after pregnancy or weight loss.
From $11,500, all-in. Financing examples from about $244 a month.
- Surgery time
- 2 to 4 hours
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia
- Hospital stay
- Home the same day or one night in our recovery suite
- Back to desk work
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Exercise
- 6 to 8 weeks
Tummy tuck, explained
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes loose skin from the lower belly and, when needed, stitches separated stomach muscles back together. It is one of the most requested surgeries after pregnancy or large weight loss.
It is also one of the more demanding recoveries we offer. We plan it with you around work, children and help at home, so the weeks after surgery feel organized rather than overwhelming.
What it can do
- Remove loose, overhanging skin below the belly button
- Repair muscle separation that exercise cannot fix
- Tighten the lower belly for a flatter shape
What it cannot do
- Replace weight loss. It works best close to your goal weight
- Remove stretch marks above the belly button
- Avoid a scar. The scar sits low, usually under underwear or a swimsuit
Is it right for me?
A general guide only. Dr. Merrow decides with you at your consultation, after an exam and a full health history.
Often a good fit if
- You are within about 10 to 15 pounds of a weight you can keep
- You are done having children, or very close to it
- You have loose skin or muscle separation that has not changed with exercise
Better to wait if
- You plan another pregnancy
- You are still losing weight
- You smoke or use nicotine. It raises the risk of wound healing problems a lot
Recovery, honestly
What the weeks after surgery look like
Typical timings for healthy patients. Everyone heals at their own pace, and we adjust your plan at each visit.
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Days 1 to 3
Walk a little, bent slightly
You walk slightly bent at the waist so the repair is not stretched. Small drains may collect fluid. You will want help at home.
-
Weeks 1 to 2
Drains out
Drains usually come out within one to two weeks at a nurse visit. Short walks every day. No lifting over 10 pounds.
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Weeks 2 to 3
Desk work
Many people return to desk work and stand up straighter each day. You wear a compression garment.
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Weeks 6 to 8
Core and lifting
Dr. Merrow clears core exercise and heavier lifting, including picking up young children, after checking your repair.
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Months 3 to 12
Settling
Swelling keeps easing for months. The scar fades from red to pale over 12 to 18 months.
Risks, in plain words
Every surgery has risks, including the risks of anesthesia. These are the main ones for a tummy tuck. We go through each one with you, and how likely it is for you, at your consult.
- Fluid build-up under the skin (seroma), which may need draining in the office
- Slow healing along the incision, much more likely in people who smoke
- Numbness of the lower belly skin, which often improves but may last
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs. We use clot prevention for every patient
- A wide or raised scar, or a shape that is not even
- Infection or bleeding after surgery
How we lower your risk
- A full health review at your pre-op visit, and a check with your own doctor when needed
- A board-certified anesthesiologist for the whole surgery
- Blood clot prevention for every patient, matched to your risk
- Nurse check-ins in the first days and a direct line to our team
- Written recovery instructions you can share with whoever is helping you
What it costs
All-in price
From $11,500
Most plans fall between $11,500 and $16,500. A mini tummy tuck for skin below the belly button only starts lower. Adding liposuction moves the price up.
Example: $11,500 over 60 months at 9.99% APR is about $244 a month. Example only; your rate depends on approval.
Pricing and financingYour quote includes
- Dr. Merrow's surgeon fee
- Board-certified anesthesiologist
- Our accredited surgical suite
- Implants, when your plan uses them
- Compression garments or surgical bra
- Follow-up visits for the first year
Not included
- Pre-surgery lab tests or clearance from your own doctor
- Prescription medicines
- An overnight stay, when you choose one and it is not part of your plan
- Travel and hotel for out-of-town patients
Common questions
More answers on our questions page, or call (303) 555-0148.
What is muscle separation?
In pregnancy, the two long stomach muscles can stretch apart. Some gap closes on its own. A wider gap can leave a bulge that exercise does not fix. A tummy tuck can stitch the muscles back together.
Will my insurance pay for a tummy tuck?
A cosmetic tummy tuck is not covered. Removing a large hanging fold of skin that causes rashes may be covered by some plans. Our coordinator can tell you what your plan needs before you decide.
How long until I can lift my children?
Plan on about six weeks before lifting young children. We help you plan help at home before surgery, because this is the part people underestimate.
Often considered together
Thinking about a tummy tuck? Let's talk it through.
Book a consultation in person in Cherry Creek or by secure video. You leave with a written plan and an all-in quote, and you decide in your own time.
Consultations are $150, credited to your surgery if you book within 12 months.