When it comes to a cosmetic procedure like liposuction, patients should never place price over their safety or results. However, “How much does liposuction cost?” is an extremely common question.
In most cases, patients will receive a total price for their surgery at their initial consultation. In addition to reviewing this lump sum, it’s also important to take a look at each itemized expense and how it may contribute to the final amount.
Continue reading to learn about associated fees, and the reason that liposuction costs are high.
Consult Charge
While some plastic surgeons offer free consultations for liposuction, others can charge anywhere from $50-$500 for this initial meeting. Accordingly, you should always inquire about the price of consult and if the amount will be applied to your surgery.
Facility Fee
Liposuction may be performed at a hospital or an accredited surgical facility, which has been inspected and certified by one of the 3 main agencies.
The cost to become accredited and maintain safety standards can be high and may impact the price of your facility fee.
Other expenses that fall under the facility fee category include:
- Staff, including a surgical technician and two registered nurses
- Medical equipment, which can consist of medications, gloves, surgical supplies, and instruments like cannulas
If the treatment is performed with the assistance of a laser, the cost of the device (approximately $100,000 or more) and the disposable tip (approximately $500-$1000 per patient) may also be included in liposuction costs.
Surgeon Fee
Surgeon fee accounts for a large portion of liposuction costs and depends on the provider’s education, training, board-certification, and experience.
Many plastic surgeons also calculate this fee according to procedure time or the number of areas being treated.
Anesthesia Fee
Because liposuction is often performed under general anesthesia, it requires the presence of a board-certified anesthesiologist, who will likely charge for his time by the hour.
Compression Garment
Following liposuction, patients must wear a medical-grade compression garment for three-to-four weeks. While this expense may be factored into the equipment fees, it may also exist as an additional charge.
Based on this breakdown, it’s clear that liposuction costs are high. When all is said and done, having the procedure performed at an accredited facility with a board-certified plastic surgeon and special equipment can cost between $8,000-$10,000.
If you are considering liposuction and want to learn more about non-surgical alternatives, please call DC Derm Docs today to schedule a comprehensive consultation with one of our highly skilled and talented providers.
