Major Surgeries in Abu Dhabi — Costs & Recovery Times
Major surgeries in Abu Dhabi requiring hospital admission. Know the costs, recovery times, and insurance coverage before you go.
Hip Replacement (Total)
1–2 hours · inpatient · 6–12 weeks (walking), 3–6 months (full recovery)
AED 70,000
Knee Replacement (Total)
1–2 hours · inpatient · 6–12 weeks (walking), 3–6 months (full recovery)
AED 60,000
ACL Reconstruction
1–2 hours · either · 6–9 months (return to sport)
AED 37,000
Caesarean Section (C-Section)
45–90 minutes · inpatient · 2–4 days (hospital), 6–8 weeks (full)
AED 27,000
Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)
1–3 hours · either · 1–2 weeks (return to work), 6–12 months (final result)
AED 23,000
Appendectomy (Laparoscopic)
30–60 minutes · inpatient · 1–3 weeks
AED 22,000
Hernia Repair (Inguinal, Laparoscopic)
45–90 minutes · either · 1–2 weeks (light activity), 4–6 weeks (full)
AED 22,000
Liposuction
1–3 hours · either · 1–2 weeks (return to work), 3–6 months (final result)
AED 20,000
Cardiac Catheterisation (Angiography)
30–60 minutes (diagnostic) · inpatient · 1–2 days
AED 18,000
Normal Delivery (Vaginal Birth)
6–18 hours (labour) · inpatient · 1–2 days (hospital), 4–6 weeks (full)
AED 16,000
Same List in Other Cities
Major Surgeries in Abu Dhabi — Costs & Recovery Times — FAQ
Major Surgeries available in Abu Dhabi — Costs & Recovery Times?
Here are the top 10 ranked by most expensive first: 1. Hip Replacement (Total) (AED 70,000), 2. Knee Replacement (Total) (AED 60,000), 3. ACL Reconstruction (AED 37,000), 4. Caesarean Section (C-Section) (AED 27,000), 5. Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) (AED 23,000), and 5 more.
How do medical costs in Abu Dhabi compare to other UAE cities?
Abu Dhabi is the second most expensive for medical procedures. Prices vary by 30-50% between the cheapest and most expensive emirates for the same procedure.
Are these prices covered by insurance in Abu Dhabi?
Coverage depends on the procedure and your plan. 8 of 10 procedures on this list are typically covered by UAE health insurance. Healthcare in Abu Dhabi is regulated by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH).
Disclaimer: Rankings based on typical procedure costs in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from DOH/DHA tariff data and market-observed prices as of March 2026. Actual costs vary by facility and doctor. Healthcare regulated by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH).