What It Costs

Keeping in mind the wide range of variables that exist, here are some ballpark figures available that can give you an idea of what to expect.

At the low end, the price starts at about $2,500 to perform liposuction on a small area and it can go on up to $10,000 or even more, depending on the size of what will be done and what is involved.

It is important to clarify with your doctor what is counted as one area, as this can vary from place to place and can greatly affect what you pay. (For instance, the upper abdomen and the lower abdomen may be considered as two areas, so you will have to count that into the total price. The same may be true for the inner and outer thigh.) However, adding in additional areas at once is often charged at a lower rate, since you only need to pay one facility fee. Experts also caution that despite the cost benefits of doing several areas at once, the risks also go up, making it wiser to limit your surgery to a smaller scale and have additional procedures completed at a later date, even if this ultimately costs more.

A Sampling Of Specific Costs

One plastic surgeon offers the following cost breakdown by body section to give an idea of what you might spend to achieve the results you desire:

• Abdomen, upper and lower - $3,000 to $9,000
• Breasts - $3,600 to $9,000
• Abdomen, lower - $2,000 to $6,000
• Flanks, male - $2,000 to $6,000
• Arms - $2,000 to $5,000
• Anterior Thighs and Knees - $2,000 to $6,000
• Buttocks - $2,000 to $5,500
• Back - $2,000 to $4,000
• Inner Thighs and Knees - $2,000 to $5,500
• Cheeks, Chin, Neck, Jowls - $2,000 to $5,500
• Hips (Waist) - $2,000 to $6,000
• Buttocks - $2,000 to $5,500
• Outer Thighs - $2,000 to $5,000

Where To Begin

If you want to find out more about liposuction and see if this is a practical approach for you, the best place to begin is by finding an experienced plastic surgeon that excels in this technique. Ask for recommendations from family members, friends and colleagues. You can also look to the American Society of Plastic Surgery for a list of board certified members practicing in your area. Once you find someone you are considering, plan to meet with him or her and talk about your goals for surgery and find out what is realistic to expect from the procedure.

Understanding The Risks

Before you schedule your liposuction surgery, you should know about the safety risks that do exist. When the procedure is done appropriately and the amount of fat to be removed is done in moderation, generally the health risks are small. However, when an excessive amount of fat is removed, or when multiple surgical procedures are done in one day, this can increase your risk of suffering from serious complications. The experts advise making sure any plastic surgery like liposuction is performed in moderation. In addition, if you select a surgeon who isn’t well trained and experienced in the technique, you could end up with dimpled or bumpy skin after it is done that is worse than what you started with.