Find a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for Body Contouring

Key takeaways

• ABPS-certified plastic surgeons completed the required training and passed written and oral exams covering all plastic surgery procedures; certification can be checked for free.^[1]
• ASPS does not independently verify its member profiles, so check the board and the state license yourself.^[2]
• In 2024, ASPS member surgeons performed 171,064 tummy tucks; the surgeon's fee range was $8,000 to $13,500, before anesthesia and facility costs.^[3]
• Body contouring is not weight loss: ASPS calls lifts contouring tools and says liposuction is not a treatment for obesity.^[5]

In short: For a tummy tuck, body lift, liposuction or skin removal after weight loss, look for a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), operating in an accredited or licensed surgical facility, who will review your health and weight history before quoting a price. You can verify ABPS certification for free. Body contouring reshapes the body; it is not a weight-loss treatment, and most of it is cosmetic and paid out of pocket (checked on October 6, 2026).

InstaTuck does not list, rank or refer to individual surgeons, does not show before-and-after photos, and nobody pays to appear on this page. Only a surgeon who examines you can say whether a procedure is safe and suitable for you.

Start here: do these next 1-2-3

Why “board certified” needs a closer look

Any physician can say they are “board certified” in something. For plastic surgery, the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties, and ABPS says that a surgeon it certifies “has completed the appropriate training and passed comprehensive written and oral examinations covering all plastic surgery procedures.” Certificates issued since 1995 are valid for 10 years, with continuous self-assessment and practice improvement required to renew. Use the ABPS verify certification tool, and if a clinician names another board, look that board up yourself.

Membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is another useful signal: ASPS requires members to hold an unrestricted license and certification by ABPS or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Its Find a Surgeon tool lists members, but ASPS states that it does not independently verify the profile information and that you are responsible for verifying credentials. So check the board and the license directly.

It also helps to see more than one surgeon. Two consultations let you compare how each one explains your options, what they recommend and why, the facility and anesthesia plan, and the full price. A surgeon who suggests a smaller or staged plan, or advises waiting, is not a worse choice; ask each one to explain their reasoning.

Contouring after weight loss: what it can and cannot do

After major weight loss, from a GLP-1 medicine, bariatric surgery or lifestyle change, many people have loose skin that diet and exercise cannot tighten. A scoping review found excess skin in more than 70% of adults after bariatric surgery, with negative psychosocial impacts reported in 75% of the studies. ASPS describes lifts as “contouring tools, not weight loss procedures.” Liposuction, according to ASPS, is “not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise.” Our loose skin guide and body contouring hub explain the options, and how to lose weight covers weight itself.

• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): removes loose skin and fat from the abdomen and, in most cases, repairs weakened or separated muscles (ASPS).
• Panniculectomy: removes the hanging apron of skin and fat; ASPS notes the muscles are typically not tightened. It is sometimes treated as reconstructive rather than cosmetic.
• Body lift, thigh lift and arm lift: remove loose skin around the trunk, thighs or arms.
• Liposuction: removes localized fat in people near a stable weight with firm, elastic skin; loose skin does less well.
• Breast lift and male chest reduction: reshape the chest after weight change.

What surgeons charge: ASPS fee ranges

ASPS publishes the surgeon’s fee only, as a projected range built from the averages its member surgeons report. Anesthesia, the operating facility, garments, tests and follow-up are extra, and prices vary by region. The full price can be much higher than the surgeon’s fee, so ask for an all-inclusive written quote.

Lower body lift$10,000–$16,500

Tummy tuck$8,000–$13,500

Thigh lift$7,000–$12,000

Breast lift$6,500–$11,000

Upper arm lift$6,000–$10,500

Male chest reduction (gynecomastia)$5,000–$9,000

Liposuction$4,300–$7,500

$0$8,250$16,500

Surgeon's fee ranges for body contouring, 2024 (ASPS)

Item	Low	High
Lower body lift	$10,000	$16,500
Tummy tuck	$8,000	$13,500
Thigh lift	$7,000	$12,000
Breast lift	$6,500	$11,000
Upper arm lift	$6,000	$10,500
Male chest reduction (gynecomastia)	$5,000	$9,000
Liposuction	$4,300	$7,500

Surgeon's fee only; excludes anesthesia, facility and other costs. The 2025 ASPS report publishes no fees.

Source: ASPS 2024 Procedural Statistics Release, average surgeon/physician fees (p. 28; archived copy) (checked on October 6, 2026)

Liposuction349,728

Tummy tuck171,064

Breast lift153,616

Upper arm lift23,527

Lower body lift10,957

Thigh lift9,914

Lifts and tucks performed by ASPS member surgeons in 2024

Item	Value
Liposuction	349,728
Tummy tuck	171,064
Breast lift	153,616
Upper arm lift	23,527
Lower body lift	10,957
Thigh lift	9,914

Source: ASPS 2024 Procedural Statistics Release (archived copy) (checked on October 6, 2026)

Medicare usually does not cover cosmetic surgery unless it is needed because of an accidental injury or to improve the function of a malformed body part. Some insurers cover panniculectomy when strict medical criteria are documented (Cigna’s coverage policy, for example, treats abdominoplasty as cosmetic but lists criteria for panniculectomy), and rules differ by plan; ask for the plan’s written criteria. Our tummy tuck cost page and costs hub show dated prices.

If you take a GLP-1 medicine

ASPS reports that its member surgeons prescribed GLP-1 weight-loss medicines to 837,485 patients in 2024, and that among people prescribed these medicines, 41% were considering nonsurgical procedures and 39% surgical ones. Tell your surgeon and anesthesia team if you take one: the GLP-1 labels warn about the risk of inhaling stomach contents under general anesthesia or deep sedation because these medicines slow stomach emptying. ASPS notes that surgeons and anesthesiologists generally recommend stopping GLP-1 medicines two to three weeks before surgery; follow the instructions of your own surgical team and the prescriber of the medicine, not a general rule. Our life after a GLP-1 guide covers what to expect if a medicine is paused.

Preparing for surgery and recovery

The same ASPS report notes that patients may be asked to stay off a GLP-1 medicine for a while after surgery so they can eat enough for healing, because wound repair depends on nutrients, and that increasing protein and focusing on strength training and muscle before surgery can help recovery and results. Practical steps to discuss with your surgeon: reaching and holding a stable weight, stopping smoking (the ASPS body lift page lists nonsmokers among good candidates), managing conditions such as diabetes, arranging help at home for the first days, and planning time off work. Our protein calculator and strength training guide help you prepare questions for your team.

Men are a growing share of patients after weight loss: ASPS reports that in 2024, 10% of lower body lift patients and 5% of thigh lift patients were male, up from 5% and 3% in 2023. Whoever you are, a good surgeon will spend time on your goals, your health and your risks before talking about price.

Questions to ask at a consultation

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and how many of this procedure do you perform each year?
• Where will the operation take place, and is that facility accredited or licensed? Who gives the anesthesia?
• Am I at a stable weight for this, and what if I lose or gain more later?
• Which of my health conditions, medicines or smoking could raise my risk of complications?
• What is the recovery timeline, when can I return to work and exercise, and what scars should I expect?
• What is the all-inclusive price, and what happens financially if I need a revision?

Red flags

• A “board certification” from a board you cannot find, or no clear answer about which board.
• Pressure to book or pay a deposit on the day of the consultation.
• No physical exam, no review of your medicines and no discussion of risks.
• Fat-dissolving injections offered for the belly, thighs or arms: the FDA has approved only one fat-dissolving injectable, Kybella, and only for fat under the chin in adults, and it has received reports of scars, serious infections and painful knots after unapproved injections.
• Surgery in an unaccredited setting, or package tours with no plan for follow-up care at home.

Dermatologists and nonsurgical options

For skin tightening, injectables or fat-freezing devices, a board-certified dermatologist is another qualified option; the American Academy of Dermatology offers a Find a Dermatologist search. Nonsurgical treatments are covered in our guides to cryolipolysis, skin tightening and Kybella, and facial changes after weight loss in “Ozempic face”. The find a provider hub explains which professional does what.

Questions to ask a professional

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and how often do you perform this procedure?
• Is the facility accredited or licensed, and who provides anesthesia?
• Is my weight stable enough, and what if it changes later?
• What is the all-inclusive price, including revisions?
• What should I do about my GLP-1 medicine before and after surgery?

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a plastic surgeon is board certified?

Use the American Board of Plastic Surgery's free verify-certification tool and confirm an active license with your state medical board. If a surgeon names another board, look that board up yourself.

Is an ASPS member automatically board certified?

ASPS requires members to be certified by ABPS or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, but ASPS says it does not independently verify profile information. Check the certification directly.

How much does a tummy tuck cost?

ASPS's 2024 statistics give a surgeon's fee range of $8,000 to $13,500. Anesthesia, the facility, garments and follow-up are extra, so ask for an all-inclusive quote.

When can I have body contouring after weight loss?

ASPS describes lifts as procedures for people within reach of their goal weight. Your surgeon will look for a stable weight and good overall health; ask how long they want your weight to be stable.

Does insurance cover skin removal after weight loss?

Cosmetic procedures are generally not covered; Medicare covers cosmetic surgery only in limited cases such as injury repair. Some plans cover panniculectomy when strict medical criteria are documented; ask for your plan's written rules.

Do I need to stop Wegovy or Zepbound before plastic surgery?

Tell your surgeon and anesthesia team. The labels warn about aspiration under anesthesia, and ASPS notes surgeons generally recommend stopping two to three weeks before surgery. Follow your own team's instructions.

Is a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon better for body contouring?

For surgery such as a tummy tuck or body lift, a plastic surgeon. For nonsurgical treatments such as fat freezing, skin tightening or Kybella, a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon can both be appropriate.

Why doesn't InstaTuck show before-and-after photos?

Photos cannot show your own anatomy, healing or risks, and they are often selected to show the best results. We focus on verifiable facts and questions to ask; your surgeon can show and explain their own results in person.

References

1. Verify certification. American Board of Plastic Surgery. (accessed October 6, 2026) Society statement
2. Find a Surgeon (ASPS member directory and membership requirements). American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (accessed October 6, 2026) Society statement
3. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release (archived copy captured 2026-01-02). American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2025. (accessed October 7, 2026) Society statement
4. Baillot A, Brais-Dussault E, Bastin A, et al.. What Is Known About the Correlates and Impact of Excess Skin After Bariatric Surgery: a Scoping Review. Obesity Surgery, 2017. doi:10.1007/s11695-017-2814-3 · PMID 28681262 (accessed October 6, 2026) Review
5. Liposuction. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (accessed October 7, 2026) Society statement
6. Panniculectomy. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (accessed October 6, 2026) Society statement
7. Cosmetic surgery. Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services). (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
8. WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets: prescribing information. Novo Nordisk, via DailyMed, 2026. (accessed October 7, 2026) Drug label
9. Using Fat-Dissolving Injections That Are Not FDA Approved Can Be Harmful. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2023. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
10. Find a Dermatologist. American Academy of Dermatology. (accessed October 6, 2026) Society statement
11. Tummy tuck. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (accessed October 7, 2026) Society statement
12. Medical Coverage Policy 0027: Abdominoplasty and Panniculectomy. Cigna Healthcare, 2026. (accessed October 6, 2026) Other
13. Body lift: who are good candidates?. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (accessed October 6, 2026) Society statement

Facts checked on October 6, 2026

Educational information, not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your own situation. In an emergency call 911.