Liposuction Cost and Liposuction Price Guide

Liposuction Cost is an important factor when considering liposuction surgery. However, the quality of liposuction is more important than the liposuction cost. If the ultimate goal of liposuction is to have a happy patient, then the surgeon’s expertise and experience are probably more important than finding the cheapest liposuction surgeon. Liposuction prices are important, but it is not the most important factor to considering lipo surgery. Be careful not to put your body on the “Discount Rack”.

Lowest Liposuction Price Can Be Most Expensive

Choosing a liposuction surgeon based on the lowest price might ultimately be the most expensive choice, If the initial cosmetic results are so bad that another surgeon must be paid to repair the work of the first liposuction surgeon. Among the most common undesirable outcomes of liposuction are:

  1. incomplete liposuction with very little evidence that liposuction was actually done,
  2. excessive liposuction producing an unnatural or disfigured appearance,
  3. irregular and uneven results with unsightly depressions in the skin, and
  4. large scars that reveal that the patient has had liposuction. Caveat emptor (Buyer beware).

How to Use Liposuction Cost  Table (Below)

The total cost for lipo surgery is a global fee that includes the sum of the non-surgical fee plus one or more surgical fees.

The non-surgical fees include the cost of the operating room, nursing staff, pre-operative laboratory tests, post-operative garments and supplies. The surgical fees represent the prices for lipo surgery of each individual area.

For example, the total cost for liposuction of the hips, outer thighs and buttocks might be the sum of the surgical fees for hips ($3,400), outer thighs ($3,000), and buttocks ($2,000), plus non-surgical fee ($1,800), which equals $9,400. However, usually these fees are bundled so you could be looking at a lower cost.

The following table is merely a rough estimate of the possible liposuction prices.

Table of Approximate Liposuction Cost in the USA
Body Area Approximate Lower End of Range of Lipo Surgical Cost ($) Approximate Upper End Range of Lipo Surgical Cost ($)
Abdomen, upper & lower $3,800 $8,000
Abdomen, lower $2,500 $7,500
Arms $2,000 $5,500
Back, female $2,000 $4,500
Breasts, female $3,800 $8,000
Breasts, male $3,800 $8,000
Buttocks $2,000 $5,000
Chin, Cheeks, Jowls, Neck $2,500 $5,000
Flanks, male $2,500 $6,000
Anterior Thighs & Knees $2,500 $6,000
Inner (Thighs & Knees) $3,300 $6,500
Hips/Waist $2,500 $6,000
Outer Thighs $2,500 $6,000
(Total Liposuction Cost = All Liposuction Surgical Costs + Non-Surgical Costs).

 

Factors That Determine Can Liposuction Cost

Factors that determine cost of liposuction include

  1. The size of the patient,
  2. Amount of time and effort required of the surgeon,
  3. Cost of anesthesiologist’s services,
  4. Operating room fees,
  5. Preoperative laboratory fees,
  6. Other related expenses, such as elastic compression garments, etc.

Expected Time and Effort
The expected time and effort that is required to accomplish a liposuction surgery is the most important factor in determining the cost of liposuction. Factors that typically affect the surgeon’s time and effort include:

  1. Number of areas being treated,
  2. Size of the patient,
  3. Anticipated degree of difficulty.

Bundling areas and performing liposuction on 2-3 areas during one surgery saves money in non-surgical fees. Although the cost of liposuction of the abdomen alone is less than the cost of doing liposuction on both the abdomen as well as the inner thighs and knees, total dollars spent will be higher if the two areas are done during separate surgeries.

Similarly, the cost for abdominal liposuction on a patient who weighs 80 kilograms (176 pounds) might be more than the cost for liposuction of the abdomen of a patient who has never weighed more than 60 kilograms (132 pounds). Liposuction is more difficult and requires more time if the patient has previously gained and then lost a significant amount of weight. In any area previously treated with liposuction or other non-invasive technology like Coolsculpt, the fat often contains scar tissue which makes liposuction in the same area more difficult.

Other Variables Affecting Liposuction Price
Other variables affecting price of liposuction include the

  1. experience of the surgeon and
  2. geographic location of the surgeon.

An expert liposuction surgeon who has done thousands of liposuction procedures, who consistently achieves outstanding results, and who is in great demand, will often charge more than a less experienced surgeon. Surgeons who have had unhappy patients and who do not have a good reputation might also lower liposuction prices in order to attract new patients. In geographic areas where rents and labor costs are high, one can expect higher prices for liposuction. Dr. Jeffrey Klein and Dr. Norma Kassardjian are two of the most experienced liposuction surgeons in the world. Both have excellent reputations, have never had a serious complication and maintain the highest standard of care.

Global Liposuction Costs
Dr. Klein and Dr. Kassardjian quote a single global liposuction cost that includes almost every possible surgery-related expense in one lump sum. Typically, a global liposuction price is the sum of the surgical fees, plus the non-surgical fee. A global liposuction cost is commonly used when the liposuction surgery is done in the surgeon’s office or surgery center. There are no anesthesiologist fees or operating room fees with KleinLipo performed completely with local anesthesia in our in-office operating rooms. Compression garments are included.

When comparing costs to other surgeons, be certain to determine if the quote is for a global fee or merely the surgical fee. An office employee who answers the telephone might only give information about the surgeon’s fee and not mention other important items such as the anesthesiologist’s fee, and operating room fee.

Itemized Liposuction Prices Including Surgical Fees
Some surgeons prefer to give prospective patients an itemized list of all the anticipated costs of liposuction. These separate costs might include the surgical fee (money paid to the surgeon for his services), anesthesiologist’s fee, operating room fee, pre-operative laboratory test fees, charges for post-operative elastic compression garments, and possibly prices for antibiotics and other recommended drugs.

Sometimes itemized prices are used when the surgeon cannot control all of the related expenses, such as when the lipo surgery is to be done in a hospital operating room with a hospital anesthesiologist. Itemized lipo prices are also used by surgeons who are in the habit of doing multiple unrelated surgical procedures at the same time that the liposuction is done.

Telephone Estimates are not Precise
It is almost impossible to provide an accurate estimate of liposuction price unless the surgeon has had the opportunity to examine the patient. One can expect to be given a range of liposuction prices or at least the smallest fee charged for a specific area.

Dr. Klein always quotes an all-inclusive global price.  For example, the receptionists usually state that “For most areas, the minimal price is $4800 and may be as much as $8000 for a very large abdomen. Additional areas usually start at $2000. Dr. Kassardjian typically quotes about $1000 less”.

Written Estimate
A written estimate of total cost for the liposuction surgery is essential. Beware of any surgeon who is not completely candid, open and honest about all of the associated fees.

Financing and Loans
Financing and loans for cosmetic surgery are available through private finance companies. Often, one can also pay for liposuction surgery using a credit card. Liposuction is generally regarded as a luxury and thus going into debt to have liposuction requires careful consideration.

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