How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

Content Reviewed by AEDIT Medical Advisory Board

What is the average cost of liposuction?

The average cost of a liposuction procedure according to the [American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) estimated cost](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2020.pdf "2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Estimated Liposuction Cost") between $3,500 to just over $3,600 in 2020. Liposuction cost will vary significantly due to numerous variables. When considering booking a procedure, these other possible expenses (more on them below!) can start to add up.

• Average Cost of Liposuction: $3,500 to $3,600
• Price Range for Liposuction: $1,000 - $20,000

Candidates considering liposuction will find it helpful to understand the elements that contribute to the overall cost of a cosmetic liposuction procedure. The table below offers an outline of these factors.

Factors to Consider in the Total Cost of a Liposuction Procedure

| Cost Factor | Explanation | | ---------- | ---------- | | Type of Liposuction | Tumescent vs. Energy-Assisted | | Provider | Training, experience, specialty | | Consultation Fee | May or may not be applied towards procedure cost | | Anesthesiologist Fee | Training, experience | | Location | Facility fees vary by region | | Recovery Expenses | Special equipment, follow ups, etc. |

What are the most common types of liposuction?

It’s safe to assume we all generally understand what liposuction is. This safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure has few side effects and creates excellent results. We’ll mention here that liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise, rather it is an adjunctive treatment for stubborn fat deposits.

There are numerous types of liposuction that vary slightly in their technique and indications. Let’s briefly review them:

• Tumescent Liposuction: A liposuction that uses tumescent fluid (epinephrine, lidocaine, and saline) to reduce side effects.
• Liposculpture: A technique that removes fat and ‘sculpts’ remaining fat to create a more contoured body appearance.
• Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction: The addition of ultrasonic waves that can help with fat cell removal and provide some mild skin tightening.
• Power-Assisted Liposuction: A vibrating cannula helps to loosen fat cells more effectively for quicker and more efficient fat removal.
• Laser-Assisted Liposuction: Laser heat energy ‘melts’ fat cells while simultaneously providing some slight skin firming benefits.
• Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction: Radiofrequency energy breaks down fat cells more efficiently and also improves skin laxity.
• SmartLipo & SlimLipo: Variations of laser assisted liposuction that have slightly different wavelengths.
• Water Jet-Assisted Liposuction: A pressurized stream of water at the tip of the cannula helps dislodge fat cells without destroying tissue for optimal harvesting and transfer.

The most appropriate liposuction technique for a candidate will depend on the individual and the area to be treated. A consultation with a provider will help to determine the best procedure for you.

What affects the cost of liposuction?

To continue our cost deep dive, let’s look more specifically at the variables we introduced above. Keep in mind, the information provided is a general cost estimate and conversations with providers you are considering offers the most accurate assessment of procedure costs. The following information will help you better understand the questions to ask and factors to consider when going into a consultation.

• Type of Liposuction: Certain liposuction techniques may cost more than others depending on the technology used and the benefits of the procedure.
• Provider: A more experienced and specialized provider will generally charge more for their time, which may lead to higher consultation fees (that may or may not be applied as a credit towards the cost of the actual procedure) resulting in an overall higher procedure cost.
• Anesthesiologist: As with the surgeon, experience and training will factor into cost. Liposuction can be performed under general or local anesthesia. General anesthesia will be more expensive in a liposuction surgery. Local anesthetics typically do not need to be administered by an anesthesiologist during an outpatient procedure.
• Location: The coasts are typically more expensive in general and for cosmetic procedures. The 2019 ASPS Report breaks down procedure occurrences by region. The east and west coasts accounted for 71 percent of all liposuctions performed in 2019. A higher occurrence of procedures typically means more experienced providers and higher procedure costs.
• Recovery: The recovery following a liposuction will vary considerably by individual and procedure type, but may include prescriptions, recovery compression garments, follow ups, and downtime from work.

As we mentioned, there are numerous areas that can be treated via liposuction. The table below provides a few more details specific to liposuction procedures by specific area.

Liposuction Treatment Areas and Impact on Cost

| Body Area | Impact on Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Abdomen | Larger area with typically higher cost | | Hips | Medium-sized area with average cost | | Thighs | Medium to larger area with possibly higher costs | | Buttocks | Medium to larger area with possibly higher costs | | Back | Medium-sized area with average cost | | Arms | Medium-sized area with average cost | | Submental (chin) | Smaller area typically with lower costs |

What does the cost of liposuction include?

With all of the variations in procedures reviewed, you may still be wondering what you’re actually paying for in a liposuction procedure cost. The cost of the provider performing the procedure is typically what gets quoted as the ‘average cost’ or ‘surgeon’s fee’ of the liposuction and this includes your provider’s business related expenses like rent, staff, insurance, and supplies in addition to their personal salary.

The total cost of the liposuction starts to increase as additional variables are added. The other medical staff in the room (anesthesiologist, nurses, medical assistants), the tools and supplies used during your liposuction (needles, gauze, gowns, gloves, etc.), the cost of any needed medications (sedatives, pain medications, antibiotics), and the fee for using the facility’s procedure or operating room.

You should also keep in mind the personal expenses you will encounter during your aesthetic journey. These may include consultation fees, travel, pre-procedure care, missed time from work, and recovery supplies for comfort.

How much does liposuction cost?

We know what you’re probably thinking at this point: What kind of numbers are we actually talking about? The following table provides cost range estimates by specific [liposuction procedure type](https://aedit.com/procedure/liposuction "Liposuction procedures "), inclusive of all the variables we discussed (minus personal expenses). The ranges are large, but they can help give you a sense of which liposuction procedure types are more costly.

Average Liposuction Cost by Procedure Type

| Type | Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Tumescent Liposuction | $2,000 to $11,000 | | Liposculpture | $1,400 to $9,500 | | Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction | $1,500 to $10,000 | | Power-Assisted Liposuction | $2,000 to $8,000 | | Laser-Assisted Liposuction | $2,500 to $5,500 | | Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction | $2,500 to $8,500 | | SmartLipo | $1,500 to $6,000 | | SlimLipo | $1,500 to $6,000 | | Water Jet-Assisted Liposuction | $4,500 to $10,000 |

How much does liposuction cost across the United States?

Another significant factor: location, location, location. We’ve already cited the ASPS 2020 Statistics Report that shows a high percentage of all liposuctions occurred along the coasts. It’s probably not surprising then plastic surgery costs tend to be higher in coastal geographic locations.

The table below breaks down liposuction costs by state. The numbers in this table are from zip codes selected from the capital of each listed state.

Average Liposuction Cost by State

| State | Average Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Alabama | $2,000-$8,000 | | Alaska | $1,000-$20,000 | | Arizona | $2,000-$8,500 | | Arkansas | $1,600-$13,000 | | California | $1,000-$20,000 | | Colorado | $2,000-$8,500 | | Connecticut | $2,000-$16,000 | | Delaware | $2,000-$16,000 | | Florida | $2,000-$8,000 | | Georgia | $2,000-$8,000 | | Hawaii | $1,000-$20,000 | | Idaho | $2,000-$8,500 | | Illinois | $1,600-$13,000 | | Indiana | $2,000-$16,000 | | Iowa | $1,600-$13,000 | | Kansas | $1,000-$20,000 | | Kentucky | $2,000-$16,000 | | Louisiana | $1,600-$13,000 | | Maine | $2,000-$16,000 | | Maryland | $2,000-$16,000 | | Massachusetts | $2,000-$16,000 | | Michigan | $2,000-$16,000 | | Minnesota | $1,600-$13,000 | | Mississippi | $2,000-$8,000 | | Missouri | $1,600-$13,700 | | Montana | $1,000-$20,000 | | Nebraska | $1,600-$13,000 | | Nevada | $1,000-$20,000 | | New Hampshire | $2,000-$16,000 | | New Jersey | $2,000-$16,000 | | New Mexico | $2,000-$8,500 | | New York | $2,000-$16,000 | | North Carolina | $2,000-$8,000 | | North Dakota | $1,600-$13,000 | | Ohio | $2,000-$16,000 | | Oklahoma | $1,600-$13,000 | | Oregon | $1,000-$20,000 | | Pennsylvania | $2,000-$16,000 | | Rhode Island | $2,000-$16,000 | | South Carolina | $1,000-$20,000 | | South Dakota | $1,600-$13,000 | | Tennessee | $2,000-$8,000 | | Texas | $2,000-$8,500 | | Utah | $2,000-$8,500 | | Vermont | $1,200-$10,000 | | Virginia | $2,000-$16,000 | | Washington | $1,000-$20,000 | | Washington DC | $2,000-$16,000 | | West Virginia | $2,000-$16,000 | | Wisconsin | $1,600-$13,000 | | Wyoming | $2,000-$8,500 |

these states are presented as national averages as specific information is not available

How much does liposuction cost around the world?

For those considering pursuing liposuction procedures abroad, the table below looks at average cost ranges in select countries around the world. Remember to add in travel costs, the reputation of the provider and facility, and expenses related to recovery times. The table below reflects costs converted to U.S. dollars.

Average Liposuction Cost by Country in USD

| Country | Average Cost | | ---------- | ---------- | | Canada | $1,000 to $9,000 | | Mexico | $1,000 to $5,000 | | Colombia | $900 to $4,500 | | United Kingdom | $1,500 to $8,500 | | Australia | $1,000 to $9,000 | | Japan | $1,000 to $8,000 | | United Arab Emirates | $1,000 to $9,000 |

Does insurance cover the cost of liposuction?

Will insurance cover my procedure? It’s a common question, and the answer is maybe. Yes, we understand that is not helpful. These definitions from the [American Medical Association (AMA)](https://www.ama-assn.org/ "American Medical Association") are:

• Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures for reshaping normal structures for improved appearance and self-esteem.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Procedures performed on abnormal body structures resulting from congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, disease, infection, or tumors.

The difference in the definitions is the key takeaway. Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance (well most aren’t... sometimes a tummy tuck, breast lift, breast reduction, or breast augmentation may be covered). Reconstructive surgeries may be. In the case of liposuction procedures, there is never a functional or medically indicated reason to perform the procedure. Given the cosmetic nature of liposuction, insurance is not going to assist with or cover costs.