Liposculpture Cost and Procedure Guide

Even with regular exercise and a healthy diet, some small pockets of fat can be difficult to shed. To address that challenge and refine specific areas of the body, people may opt for liposculpture, a procedure that removes fat and reshapes the body to create more defined contours. Compared with procedures focused primarily on reducing larger deposits of fat, liposculpture emphasizes targeted shaping and definition rather than significant weight loss.¹

Understanding what the procedure involves, the available techniques and what recovery may entail can help you determine whether liposculpture may be a good fit for you and your goals.

What Is Liposculpture?

Liposculpture is a cosmetic surgical procedure that uses fat-removal techniques to shape and define specific areas of the body. While often mislabeled as liposuction, liposculpture is a precise fat-removal process designed to strategically sculpt and shape the body rather than simply remove large pockets of fat.¹

The goal of liposculpture is to enhance the natural contours of your body, including the lines of your abdomen, thighs and arms. Compared with traditional liposuction, liposculpture uses less invasive techniques, so you may experience less swelling and bruising afterward.²

How Much Does Liposculpture Cost?

The average cost of liposculpture can range from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the areas treated and the extent of the procedure. The cost may comprise fees for anesthesia, the surgery center and your surgeon.³

Average cost of laser lipo by treatment area

Laser lipo is one popular technique that may be used to perform liposculpture. Below is the national average cost** of laser lipo for specific treatment areas:⁴

Calculate the cost of laser lipo near you**

Average cost of abdominal laser lipo by state/district

Below is the average cost** of abdominal laser lipo in all 50 states and the District of Columbia:⁴

Does Insurance Cover Liposculpture?

Liposculpture is generally considered an elective cosmetic procedure, so insurance isn’t likely to cover the cost. You should expect to pay for the procedure out of pocket, but it’s still a good idea to check with your health insurance company to confirm your covered benefits and exclusions.⁵

How Can You Pay for Liposculpture?

There are several ways to pay for liposculpture, depending on what your provider offers and your budget. Some patients pay up front with cash, check or a credit/debit card. Others may choose a payment plan offered through the practice.

If you’d prefer to pay over time, the CareCredit credit card is another option many patients use for out-of-pocket health and wellness services. If approved, you can make monthly payments (with promotional financing options where available). Promotional financing options vary, so review the details and ask the office whether they accept CareCredit before deciding.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposculpture?

During your consultation, your surgeon may evaluate your overall health, anatomy and goals to determine whether liposculpture may be appropriate. Common characteristics of potential candidates may include the following:¹

• You are at or near a stable, healthy weight.
• You have localized pockets of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise.
• You’re in good overall health.
• You do not smoke or are prepared to quit.⁵
• You have realistic expectations about what the procedure can accomplish.
• You want to improve the proportions or definition of a specific area of your body rather than lose a significant amount of weight.

Types of Liposculpture

Your surgeon will recommend a liposculpture technique based on factors such as the area being treated, your anatomy and your desired results. Common techniques include the following:

How Does Liposculpture Work?

The details of liposculpture vary based on the technique used, the treatment area and the extent of the procedure. In general, you can expect the following stages.

Preparation

Before the procedure, you will meet with your surgeon to discuss your goals, medical history, medications, allergies and expectations. Your surgeon will evaluate the areas you want treated and recommend a technique based on your anatomy and desired results. You may be instructed to stop smoking, adjust certain medications or supplements, follow dietary or alcohol restrictions or complete lab testing before surgery.⁷

You should also prepare a comfortable recovery space and arrange for someone to drive you home.⁷

Procedure

Before the procedure begins, you will receive local or general anesthesia, depending on the areas being treated and the extent of the surgery.⁵

The surgeon will then make small incisions and insert a thin instrument called a cannula into the fat beneath the skin. The cannula is moved through the treatment area to loosen fat before it is removed with suction. Depending on the technique, laser or ultrasound energy may be used to liquefy the fat before removal.⁵

Once the procedure is complete, the surgeon will close the incisions as needed.⁵

Recovery

Recovery varies depending on the number and size of the areas treated, the technique used and how quickly your body heals. Bruising, swelling and soreness are common during the early stages of recovery. You may also need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help reduce swelling and support the treated area as it heals.⁵

Follow your surgeon’s instructions about incision care, medication, activity restrictions and follow-up appointments.

Potential Side Effects or Complications

Temporary effects such as bruising, swelling, numbness and discomfort are common as the treatment area heals. Potential complications of liposculpture include fluid accumulation, infection, temporary nerve damage and uneven or irregular contours. When performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, serious complications are rare.⁵

Your surgeon should explain the potential side effects or complications associated with your specific procedure, including for the treatment area, technique and anesthesia being used. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience concerning symptoms such as severe pain, fever, increasing redness or signs of infection.⁵

Sculpting Your Body With Liposculpture

Liposculpture can help remove localized fat and create more defined body contours when diet and exercise aren’t enough. The procedure isn’t intended for significant weight loss and may be most appropriate for people who are in good overall health, maintain a stable weight and have realistic expectations.

Because techniques, costs and recovery experiences vary, talk with a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon about your goals and treatment options before choosing the body sculpting procedure that’s right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liposculpture

Still have questions about liposculpture? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

Financing Liposculpture With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for liposculpture and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Pamela Cagle, R.N., has extensive experience in a range of clinical settings, including ER, surgical and cardiovascular. For more than a decade, she has leveraged her nursing experience in writing for health and technology publications such as AARP, VKTR, the National Council on Aging and others. She is passionate about blending her medical and storytelling expertise to bring authenticity to health and wellness topics.