Factors that can affect the cost of liposuction include the types of liposuction, the non-surgical fees associated with the procedure, and the plastic surgeon performing the liposuction. Some patients see higher or lower liposuction costs depending on where they live or where the procedure is performed. Health insurance coverage can, but doesn’t usually, affect how much liposuction costs.
The cost of liposuction tends to stay at the lower end of the fee scale when the procedure is performed on body parts such as the hips, waist, outer thighs, or buttocks. Some upper body parts, like arms and back, can cost less, too. Of course, there are body parts that can cause the price of liposuction to increase. Typically, a more expensive liposuction procedure is one performed on body parts such as the upper and lower abdomen, the breasts, and above-the-shoulder areas such as the neck, chin, jowls, and cheeks. The cost of liposuction can also increase for the anterior and inner thighs and knees.
In addition to the surgical costs of liposuction, the patient must also consider the non-surgical fees. Usually, non-surgical fees include services that prepare the patient for surgery, assist during the surgery, and help the patient heal after the surgery. These fees can cause the cost of liposuction to increase moderately or significantly. Such fees include the cost of the nursing staff, operating room, and the anesthesiologist services. Non-surgical fees also include services rendered before and after the surgery, such as pre-operative laboratory tests and post-operative supplies like dressings and follow-up appointments.
Other factors that can affect the cost of liposuction include the area in which the surgery is performed and the doctor and his experience. For example, if the patient lives in an area overflowing with plastic surgeons, she might find more competitive liposuction prices than she would in an area where not many plastic surgeons practice. Sometimes, this factor causes potential liposuction patients to travel for surgery.
The same is true for the surgeon’s experience, as more experienced surgeons might charge higher liposuction prices than less experienced doctors. The pros and cons of liposuction costs in this sense are tricky, because a less experienced plastic surgeon isn’t necessarily a bad surgeon although his cheaper liposuction prices might lead patients to think so. The best methods for weighing these pros and cons include visiting several plastic surgeons, checking their qualifications, looking at their before-and-after portfolios, and talking with previous patients.
For some, the final factor that can affect the cost of liposuction is health insurance coverage. Average health insurance policies don’t cover liposuction, because usually the procedure is considered cosmetic rather than reconstructive. Still, health insurance companies decide which procedures are cosmetic and which are reconstructive, and guidelines might vary. For example, a person receiving abdomen liposuction might gain health benefits by reducing the midsection fat that can harm the heart. In the end, it’s more financially beneficial to talk with the health insurance company than to just assume the procedure isn’t covered.