Liposuction Costs & Financing

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About Liposuction Costs & Financing

It is important for prospective clients to educate themselves on liposuction costs since health insurance typically does not cover fees. Surgeons should provide clients with a written estimate and a list of expected costs at the conclusion of a personal consultation prior to the operation.

Clients should view this estimate as an essential practice for all legitimate, board-certified liposuction clinics (the American Society of Plastic Surgeons offers listings for board-certified plastic surgeons in Canada, the United States, and internationally).

Clients should also be cautious when offered estimates over the phone prior to a face-to-face estimation. Only when the surgeon is able to physically see the patient’s target areas is he or she able to accurately determine factors affecting costs.

General Cost Components

Estimates provided by plastic surgeons should include three components: surgical fees, non-surgical fees, and an anesthesiologist’s fee (if general anaesthesia is necessary). Examples of non-surgical fees include the costs for the operating room. Generally, the cost of the operating room is approximately $1,000. In some cases, this will depend on the length of the procedure, although many patients will opt for a “flat rate” if they are receiving liposuction in multiple areas of the body. Further fees include pre-operative laboratory test fees, charges for post-operative elastic compression garments (engineered to decrease swelling in the weeks following surgery), and prices for antibiotics and other drugs. Two other factors that may influence cost are the experience and credentials of the surgeon. It is important to note that surgeons commonly increase their fees after five years of experience.

Costs will also depend on the geographical location of the office, as cost averages can change from country to country, city to city, or regions of cities (the price for office space, which is higher in urban and metropolitan areas, can certainly have a bearing on patient costs). Costs will also change as new and more effective technologies are introduced. Clients will often find, for instance, that the use of laser-assisted/ultrasound device to aspirate fat will cost more than regular surgery.

While an extended recovery stay is usually not required for those receiving local/general anaesthesia, in cases where surgery is more extensive – for instance, when combining multiple procedures – the patient may be required to stay in the clinic overnight, which will add to the procedure’s total cost.

Patients should take a sensible approach by comparing the prices of a number of plastic surgeons to avoid overpaying. At the same time, it is important to tread carefully when considering inexpensive or discount surgeons, as this may lead to higher costs in the long-term to fix crucial errors made in the initial procedure. Typically, surgeons who offer discounted rates are doing so in response to a smaller number of clients and inexperience

Factors Influencing Your Liposuction Cost

Ultimately, the total cost of the procedure should be a fair reflection of the time and effort of the operating surgeon. Three main factors influence how much time and effort the surgeon expects to invest:

  1. The number of areas treated;
  2. The overall size of the patient;
  3. The difficulty of the procedure;

The first factor is the number of areas being treated. For example, the standard cost in the Canada for one area of the body is about $7,000, whereas this average rests at about $13,000 for three areas of the body. Nevertheless, there is no flat rate per surgical area, since each area varies in size.

The second factor contributing to the overall surgical cost is the size of the patient. Generally speaking, it will take less time for a patient weighing 160 pounds to undergo liposuction compared to a patient weighing 220 pounds. Finally, the third cost factor for surgery fees is the degree of difficulty the surgeon anticipates.

Among the most common complication that increases surgical labour are cases in which individuals have quickly lost significant amounts of adipose tissue (referred to as “post-bariatric” clients), leading to a large amount of excess, sagging skin.

Some Examples of Costs for Mid Range Single Area Procedures

  • Arms: $1,500 – $5,000
  • Back: $1,500 – $4,000
  • Female breasts: $3,000 – $7,500
  • Buttocks: $1,500 – $4,500
  • Flanks: $2,000 – $5,000
  • Thighs and Knees (anterior): $2,000 – $5,000
  • Thighs and Knees (inner): $2,000 – $5,000

Financing for Liposuction Procedure

Liposuction is generally not covered by national health plans; therefore, clinics frequently require some type of direct payment or financial arrangement with their clients. While patients are always permitted to pay for procedures in cash, the price of standard surgeries renders this an uncommon payment method. A popular alternative is paying by credit card. It is also becoming progressively common for surgeons to offer flexible financing plans with monthly payments, preventing patients from having to pay overwhelming lump sums. If patients do not have the immediate means and require loans, clinics can recommend national loan companies, particularly ones that specialize in elective surgeries like liposuction and a range of other cosmetic procedures. A number of private finance companies offer loans for plastic surgeries and liposuction procedures as well. Online application forms along with payment calculators to help individuals set up a feasible monthly payment rate now make the application for both loan types virtually hassle-free.

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Choosing the Right Surgeon

Liposuction Costs & Financing FAQ

Do surgeons offer price estimates for liposuction?
Yes. As good consumer practice, you should always ask for a written price estimate from a plastic surgeon before making any decisions. This should be given to you at the end of a face-to-face consultation with the surgeon. Estimates are an essential practice for all legitimate, board-certified liposuction clinics (the American Society of Plastic Surgeons offers listings for board-certified plastic surgeons in Canada, the United States, and internationally).
Can I get a price estimate for liposuction surgery over the telephone?
You should always be cautious of receiving a liposuction price estimate over the telephone. A reputable, experienced plastic surgeon will want to examine you in person as physical factors such as your size, and the anticipated amount of difficulty in performing the surgery can help determine cost. Also, it is imperative that you always have estimates in writing from the surgeon.
What can I expect in a liposuction surgery price estimate?
A price estimate should include three components:

  • Surgical Fees such as the surgeon’s time, effort, and experience
  • Non-Surgical Fees such as cost of the operating room, length of the procedure, pre-operative testing, and post-operative antibiotics and drugs
  • Anaesthesiologist Fees which are typically only necessary if your liposuction requires general anaesthetic
What does the price of liposuction ultimately reflect?
Ultimately, price is a fair reflection of your operating surgeon’s time and effort. This can be broken down into three areas:

  • Number of areas being treated: For example, the standard cost in the United States for one area of the body is about $4,000, whereas this average rests at about $11,000 for three areas of the body. Nevertheless, there is no flat rate per surgical area, since each area varies in size. For instance, a surgeon may charge upwards of $7,000 to perform a procedure on both the upper and lower regions of the abdomen, while surgery on the lower region alone can be as low as $2,000, since the surgery will tend to be easier and conclude more quickly for the lower abdomen.
  • Size of the patient: Generally speaking, it will take less time for a patient weighing 160 pounds to undergo liposuction compared to a patient weighing 220 pounds.
  • The degree of difficulty the surgeon anticipates: Among the most common complication that increases surgical labour are cases in which individuals have quickly lost significant amounts of adipose tissue (referred to as “post-bariatric” clients), leading to a large amount of excess, sagging skin.
Will a more experienced, reputable liposuction surgeon be costlier?
Yes, but it is worth the investment. You should also note that surgeons commonly increase their fees after having had more than 5 years experience.
What other factors can influence the price of liposuction?
  • Location: The geographical location of the clinic or hospital will influence the price as cost averages can vary from country to country, city to city, or regions of cities (the price for office space, which is higher in urban and metropolitan areas, can certainly have a bearing on patient costs).
  • Overnight Stays in Hospital: Generally, this is only a requirement if your liposuction requires general anaesthetic.
Can I shop around for liposuction prices?
Absolutely. Although patients should be wary of a plastic surgeon who is distantly located and offers discounted rates, as this may be a sign that the surgeon lacks clients and is of lower quality. While initially less expensive, correcting the complications resulting from bad plastic surgery can be exponentially more costly, both financially and physically.
Is liposuction covered by health insurance?
Generally, liposuction is not covered by health insurance. This is because liposuction is considered to be an elective cosmetic procedure and, as such, not typically deemed medically necessary.
Do I have options in how I pay for my liposuction?
Because liposuction is not covered by health insurance, most clinics will ask for some form of direct payment or the establishment of an alternative financial arrangement such as flexible monthly installment plans (as opposed to paying an overwhelming lump sum all at once). While paying in cash is always acceptable, many patients choose to pay with credit card instead.

If patients do not have the immediate means and require loans, clinics will often recommend national loan companies, particularly ones that specialize in elective surgeries like liposuction and a range of other cosmetic procedures. A number of private finance companies offer loans for plastic surgeries and liposuction procedures as well. Online application forms along with payment calculators to help individuals set up a feasible monthly payment rate now make the application for both loan types virtually hassle-free.

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