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Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that vacuums fat deposits from under the skin.
Liposuction vacuums fatty deposits from under the skin through a long hollow
needle called a cannula. It can be applied to many areas of the body, typically
the abdomen, thighs, arms, neck, and certain areas of the face. Liposuction is
sometimes referred to as lipoplasty, liposculpture, and
suction-assisted lipectomy.
The tumescent liposuction approach may be referred to as micro-liposuction.
This plastic surgery procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia.
Time in surgery varies depending on the size of the area being treated, but is
usually less than an hour. Using the recently developed procedure tumescent
liposuction, local anesthesia provides both a numbing effect and a means to
help remove fat. General anesthesia is recommended only in cases where large
areas or multiple areas are treated.
Fat deposits adhere to the underside of the skin and can be removed if they can
be dislodged. A local anesthetic is applied to the area where the fat deposits
are to be removed. An incision is made and a cannula (a long hollow needle) is
inserted under the skin and scraped along the underside skin surface, loosening
the fat deposits. The cannula is hollow with holes at the end to allow suction.
The fat deposits are then sucked into the vacuum through a tube connected to the
cannula.
After Liposuction the skin will be swollen and sore because of the scraping process.
The soreness and swelling can last for several days. In some cases, the incisions
are left open temporarily to fluids and residual fatty deposits to empty through
an inserted drain from the treated area. Liposuction can be repeated for a given
area of the body a number of times, as long as the area has completely healed
from the previous treatment.
What does liposuction cost?
Liposuction is one of the most difficult procedures for estimating cost.
Liposuction may be performed on many different areas of the body, by different
types of machines, with different types of anesthesia, by surgeons of different
experience and skill levels. You will get a more meaningful cost estimate after
you are examined by a surgeon and have developed a surgical plan for your
liposuction.
As with most plastic surgery, liposuction cost comprises three fees:
surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, and facility fees. The anesthesia fees range
from approximately $500 to $1,000, depending on the number of areas treated.
The facility fees also vary depending on the number of areas where liposuction
is performed, ranging from $600 to $1,200. The rest of the cost is the surgeon's fee.
The average cost to have liposuction performed in one area of the body is up to
$4,000, in three areas is $6,000 to $8,000, and in five areas is $8,000 to
$11,000. The cost is higher for larger body areas. For example, the average
cost for the abdomen is $4,000 to $8,000, but for the outer thigh is about
half as expensive.
It's important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon from the American
Board of Plastic Surgery, who has extensive, specific liposuction experience,
as well as expertise in all areas of plastic surgery. Board certification
requires specific and rigorous surgical education and training. More highly
qualified, board-certified surgeons command higher fees, but they can also help
ensure that you receive the most appropriate treatment for your condition,
employ the most appropriate techniques, increase your odds of success, and
reduce the risk of complications.
The type of certification is also important. There are more than 150
self-designated boards, but only a handful that are designated by the American
Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), such as the American Board of Plastic
Surgery. Be sure to ask your surgeon about surgical training and board certification
when you investigate the cost for liposuction.
The area of the body to have liposuction performed affects the cost. The most
common areas are the abdomen and thighs. Also, many patients decide to have
several areas done at the same time. The type of equipment used makes a
difference. Recent advances include devices such as laser and ultrasound energy
to aid in fat removal. Using new technology will increase cost.
Liposuction for men is more extensive, and therefore more expensive than for
women because the texture of the fat is typically more fibrous and harder to
remove than in women.
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