There is no such thing as bargain cosmetic surgery. Liposuction can cost
as little as $2,000 or as much as six figures, depending on your
situation.
Permanent body sculpturing sounds for fewer than ten thousand dollars
may sound like a deal, but the base cost of liposuction may not be the
only price you’ll pay. What is quoted to you by the surgeon may not
include the hospital fees, anaesthesia, medications, and travel expenses
that you will incur. Now if everything goes as planned, you may get
lucky and spend $3,000 and get exactly the results you want. However, if
complications arise or revision surgery is needed, you may find
yourself several more thousand dollars in debt without the toned body
you were expecting.
The cost of liposuction surgery itself depends on the location, how many
areas are to be treated, and the plastic surgeon. In popular locations
such as New York and Los Angeles, expect to pay a premium for any
procedure. While it may seem cheaper to travel to areas where there is a
glut of surgeons and available cosmetic clinics, the high demand and
higher cost of living drives up the prices. Travelling overseas to
destinations such as Thailand and India for reduced surgical prices is
gaining popularity, but some are finding that the risks are not worth
the meagre potential savings. Surgeons with well-known reputations also
tend to command greater fees for their services. However, that doesn’t
mean that less notable surgeons are not as capable and in some cases,
even better. It is important not to confuse price and notoriety with
quality.
On average in the United States, the cost of liposuction surgery for one
general area (such as the thighs, stomach, or upper arms) will be in
the range of $2,000. There will also be fees for anaesthesia, hospital
stay, medication, and sometimes for the initial consult and follow-up
appointments. At this point, tally up the total to closer to the $2,800
range. Not only will the location determine the cost of the surgery
itself, but you’ll have to calculate transport and hotels if needed. So
unless you’re fortunate enough to find the perfect surgeon living around
the corner, add another few hundred dollars onto the total.
After any surgical procedure, your body needs time to recover, which
means you’ll need to take a break from work. If you have an office job,
you may be back in as soon as a week, but more physically demanding
professions can require two to three weeks off. Not only will you need
to get approval from your boss, but you’ll have to be able to live
without any lost income. And where the costs of liposuction can really
skyrocket is if complications develop. Few people want to admit that
they are putting themselves in danger when undergoing cosmetic surgery,
and in doing so fail to make necessary provisions in case the worst does
occur. You should put aside some emergency money, as insurance may not
cover problems that arise. If you get an infection, blood clot, or other
problem, you may require hospital visits, a longer stay, or even
another surgery. If the results are unsatisfactory, you may need to pay
for revision in order to get satisfaction.
