How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes fat from the body. As the name suggests, this procedure breaks up and sucks out fat. Liposuction is not a weight-loss solution and doesn’t firm or tighten skin.

The average liposuction treatment costs about $3,600, according to 2020 figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Costs can range from $1,000 to more than $20,000, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery’s cosmetic surgery pricing tool. Prices depend on the part of the body, where you live, the surgeon’s skill, and associated fees.

Typically, liposuction is not covered by insurance.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that breaks up and removes fat from a section of your body. The surgeon pierces your skin to insert a small tube called a cannula. Fat gets suctioned out of your body through the cannula to sculpt the area. Then the incision gets closed, which may leave a small scar.

Only licensed surgeons can perform liposuction, which is also known as body sculpting, body contouring, or lipoplasty.

What parts of the body can have liposuction?

Liposuction is available for many parts of the body, including:

• Abdomen (upper and lower)

• Arms

• Back

• Buttocks

• Chest

• Face (cheeks, chin, and jowls)

• Hips

• Neck

• Thighs (inner and outer)

Your surgeon will examine you and discuss the options that are right for you.

How much does liposuction typically cost?

Liposuction costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:

• Area of the body treated

• Number of areas treated

• Cost of surgeon

• Difficulty of procedure

• Fees for the facility, anesthesiologist, and supplies

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According to 2020 data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of liposuction is $3,637 per area of the body. This estimate does not include the cost of anesthesia, facility fees, or other expenses.

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery offers a cost calculator that provides a price range for a selected procedure based on your ZIP code.

Insurance does not usually cover liposuction. However, liposuction for people who have had bariatric surgery may be covered alone or with skin-removal procedures. Coverage also may be provided, if deemed medically necessary, depending on the insurance company and your plan. For instance, Aetna covers liposuction for some people seeking breast reconstruction or gender-affirming surgery.

The Houston Lipo Center in Texas offers all-inclusive packages for single areas. For $3,900 to $4,900, a single area includes:

• Arms

• Abdomen (upper or lower)

• Back (upper or mid)

• Buttocks

• Calves

• Thighs (outer or inner)

• Waist/hips (female)

• Love handles/flanks (male)

Many clinics will offer prices upfront for the procedure only. Unless you have an all-inclusive price, most liposuction treatments involve additional fees.

What are the additional costs of liposuction?

Some surgeons have all-inclusive packages for liposuction. Others charge for the procedure, then add additional fees as needed.

Possible additional costs for liposuction include:

• Consultation fees

• Medical tests

• Surgical facility costs

• Anesthesia fees

• Surgeon’s fees

• Antibiotics or other medications

• Compression garments and wound-care dressings 

Is liposuction worth it?

Depending on your goals and your outcome, liposuction may be well worth it for you. If you have had bariatric surgery or lost a lot of weight by another method, liposuction on its own or — with skin-removal surgery — can be deemed medically necessary.

Liposuction is a spot treatment for areas of excess fat and is not a weight-loss tool.

Here are some advantages of liposuction:

• Visible improvement (full results once swelling subsidies)

• Targeted sculpting of a specific area

• Minimal scarring and recovery time

• Most procedures are outpatient

In some cases, liposuction is not an ideal solution. The procedure breaks up and sucks out fat under your skin but will not:

• Get rid of stretch marks or cellulite

• Help you lose weight or replace bariatric surgery

• Lift sagging skin

• Remove deep abdominal fat

• Prevent your body from creating more fat in the same area

Does insurance cover liposuction?

Not usually. Insurance does not typically cover liposuction unless it is considered medically necessary. The definition of what is medically necessary varies by insurance provider and health plan. Some liposuction is approved for people seeking:

• Breast reconstruction

• Gender-affirming surgery

• Skin removal after massive weight loss

• Lipedema

Contact your insurance company to verify whether your liposuction can be covered. Often, coverage for a cosmetic procedure requires prior authorization.

How long does liposuction last?

Liposuction permanently removes fat, but it doesn’t prevent your body from generating new fat. How long your results last depends entirely on maintaining your current size, which often involves your weight and fitness level.

What are the risks of liposuction?

As with all medical procedures, liposuction has risks. They include:

• Swelling

• Numbness

• Fluid retention

• Bruising

• Skin abnormalities

• Fat embolism

• Internal puncture

• Infections

What are the challenges involved in recovering from liposuction?

Typically, you will need about 6 weeks to recover from liposuction. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medications or suggest over-the-counter pain relievers. You will need to keep the surgical site clean, and you may need to wear a compression garment.

You may not see immediate results because of swelling. Over time, you will see the outcome of the procedure.

You may not be satisfied with your results. The reasons could include:

• Your skin may be bumpy.

• You may not have achieved the contouring you desired.

• You may have experienced complications from the procedure, such as a puncture or an infection.

• You may experience a fat embolism resulting from liposuction that causes tiny pieces of fat to float into your bloodstream, possibly causing blockages that could become deadly.

Are there alternatives I should consider?

Cosmetic procedures involve risks. You might consider noninvasive alternatives to liposuction, such as:

• Diet and exercise

• CoolSculpting — also known as cryolipolysis — which freezes your fat cells

• Kybella, a localized, fat-melting injection used to reduce a double chin

• SculpSure, Zerona, and other treatments that use laser or ultrasound technology

• TruSculpt and other treatments that melt fat using heat created by radio frequencies

Sometimes these methods can be combined to achieve better results.

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Written by:

Lisa Kaelin

Lisa Kaelin is an author, editor, and artist. She has nearly 2 decades of experience writing and editing online personal finance content.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

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