Cost Of Liposuction

Liposuction Pricing Guide

One of the things people often wonder about liposuction surgery, as well as one of the reasons why some look for other alternatives, is the cost of liposuction. In summary, the cost of lipo can be quite high, especially since it is a surgical procedure and patients have to shoulder all the costs themselves – insurance won’t pay a cent – although it varies from case to case.

This section focuses on answering the question ‘How much is liposuction?’ in order to help patients find out what to expect from the procedure in terms of costs, and whether or not they can afford it.

Average Liposuction Prices

Below is a list of the average costs for liposuction (estimated total cost of the surgery, anesthesiologist’s fees not included) per body area in the United States as of 2007:

Abdomen, Upper & Lower – $3,000 – $7,500
Abdomen, Lower – $2,000 – $2,500
Arms – $1,500 – $5,000
Back – $1,500 – $4,000
Breasts, Female -    $3,000 – $7,500
Breasts, Male – $3,000 – $5,000
Buttocks – $1,500 – $4,500
Face (Chin, Cheeks, Jowls) and Neck – $2,000 – $4,500
Flanks, Male – $2,000 – $5,000
Anterior Thighs & Knees – $2,000 – $5,000
Inner Thighs & Knees – $2,000 – $5,000
Hips/Waist – $1,600 – $5,000
Outer Thighs – $1,600 – $5,000

The reason why some areas cost more than others is because they are larger, requiring more time and effort from the surgeon, as well as possibly more anesthesia. Some areas also contain fat that is more fibrous and therefore, more difficult to remove.

Factors That Affect Liposuction Pricing

In general, the price of liposuction depends on several factors, so patients can expect a higher or lower cost depending on:

- the size of the body area to be treated or the amount of fat that needs to be removed, often dependent on patient’s weight and height
- the number of areas to be treated (note that excessive liposuction can pose serious dangers to a patient’s health)
- the surgeon’s qualifications
- the geographical location

Some Liposuction Techniques Cost More

The liposuction technique used by the surgeon can also be an important factor in the cost of the procedure. The above table lists the costs for suction-assisted liposuction. However, various new techniques have also emerged, such as laser liposuction and water jet assisted liposuction, which can cost more yet produce safer and more effective results.

The tumescent technique of liposuction is currently considered the world standard of care in liposuction and can be used with both suction-assisted liposuction and with more modern techniques. It costs less than liposuction using the wet or superwet techniques, mainly because it allows liposuction to be performed under local anesthesia only.

You can learn more about the different liposuction techniques here.

Liposuction Fees

The total liposuction cost can be divided into several fees, including:

- surgeon’s fee
- operating room fee
- lab test fees
- cost of surgical supplies (needles, syringes, biopsy punches for adits, post operative compression pads and elastic garments)
- charge for drugs used (antibiotics, pain relievers and sedatives if any)
- cost of anesthesia
- anesthesiologist’s fee

Some surgeons provide a breakdown of liposuction pricing. If not, you can always request for one so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Surgeon’s Fee

According to the 2010 statistical data of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the average surgeon’s fee for suction-assisted liposuction for a single treatment or area is $2,914.

Surgeons who have more extensive training, years of experience and an outstanding reputation often cost more, but are also more likely to produce good results. On the other hand, surgeons who are new to the practice or do not have a lot of patients are more likely to provide discounts.

Cost of Anesthesia

Nowadays, liposuction is usually done under local anesthesia, particularly lidocaine, with the tumescent technique, which makes it less expensive. The exact cost of anesthesia, though, as well as the fee of the anesthesiologist, depend on the extent of the procedure.

In some cases, the surgeon may be trained to administer anesthesia, so there is no separate anesthesiologist’s fee to pay for, though the surgeon’s own professional fee may be higher.

Global Fee

When looking at liposuction estimated costs, ask whether they are just the surgeon’s fee or the global fee. The global fee refers to the total cost of the procedure, including the costs related to anesthesia and the use of the facility.

Consultation Fee

Before you have your actual liposuction surgery, you will need to consult with the surgeon first. You can have the initial consultation in person if you are just planning to have liposuction near your home, but in some cases, you can go through a long distance consultation. Either way, you will have to pay a small fee.

Downpayment

Some surgeons ask for a downpayment in order to schedule your liposuction surgery, especially in the case of long distance or fly-in patients. The percent required varies per surgeon.

Financing Options

During consultation, one of the things you should ask your surgeon or his staff is how you can pay for your surgery. Ask if there is a deferred payment scheme available or if you can pay using your credit card. If you need to pay everything by cash up front, you can also consider taking out a loan just for your liposuction, which some private financial companies provide.

Safety First Before Liposuction Cost

While cost is one of the major considerations when deciding whether or not to opt for liposuction, it should not be one when choosing a liposuction surgeon. Rather, put the utmost priority on finding a surgeon who can do the job well and without putting you in harm’s way.