How Much Does Smart Lipo Cost?

Smart Lipo costs $5,375 on average, according to 1,733 patient reviews on RealSelf. The cost of this branded version of laser-assisted liposuction (aka laser lipolysis) can range from $2,850 to as much as $11,500.

The average cost of Smart Lipo is about $1,300 less than traditional liposuction and a bit more than other laser-assisted liposuction procedures.

Read on to find out whether most reviewers think the price of Smart Lipo is worth it, why costs can vary so much, and what it costs near you.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Smart Lipo

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What does the cost of Smart Lipo include?

During an initial consultation, your prospective surgeon should give you a complete Smart Lipo cost quote that includes:

• the plastic surgeon’s fee
• anesthesia fees
• the facility fee
• any pre-op medical tests and appointments
• pain medications and post-op supplies
• compression garment (if your doctor recommends one)
• follow-up care

If any of these items aren’t listed in your doctor’s estimate, you’ll still need to factor them into your total budget for Smart Lipo treatment. 

Also make sure you understand whether their pricing is based on the treatment area or the estimated time in the operating room. (See more on this below.)

RealSelf Tip: Many doctors also recommend a series of lymphatic massages after your liposuction procedure, to help reduce swelling. Each massage typically costs about $100. If your surgeon recommends it, be sure to budget for this expense.

Is Smart Lipo worth the money?

Smart Lipo has an 84% Worth It Rating from patients who reviewed their procedure on RealSelf. So while a majority were happy with the results of their investment, not everyone thought it was money well spent.

Many of those who say this cosmetic procedure was “Worth It” reported natural-looking results and a boost in self-confidence. 

This cosmetic surgery procedure is said to have a few benefits over traditional liposuction.

• The laser fiber liquifies the excess fat cells before they’re removed, which can reportedly reduce trauma to the surrounding tissue, swelling, and downtime.
• The laser’s heat also triggers a healing response that produces new collagen, which can make the skin in the treated area look a little firmer over time.

Among RealSelf members who say Smart Lipo is “Not Worth It,” some experienced side effects like discolored skin, lumps, and scarring. Others simply had underwhelming results, with less fat reduction than they’d wanted.

All types of liposuction are very technique-dependent. To help ensure your investment will be worth it, find a board-certified plastic surgeon with rave reviews and a gallery of impressive before and after photos.

What affects the cost of Smart Lipo?

These are the biggest factors that will impact your Smart Lipo cost.

1. Your surgeon’s credentials and experience

A board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing Smart Lipo and other body contouring procedures will be able to charge more for their time and talent than a physician who doesn’t have the same level of training, credentials, and skill. 

While it can be tempting to go with the practice who gives the lowest cost quote, keep in mind that all plastic surgery comes with potential risks and side effects, especially in unskilled hands. Potential Smart Lipo side effects include contour irregularities and even, in rare cases, burns from the laser energy.

A plastic surgeon with extensive experience performing laser liposuction will know best how to mitigate these risks and create the optimal results you’re looking for.

2. Their practice location

Providers in major metros with higher costs of living typically charge more, but prices can vary by area and practice, influenced by the law of supply and demand. 

According to metro-area cost data from RealSelf reviews, Smart Lipo in New York City costs $8,375 on average, while patients tend to pay just $4,500 in Miami, where the sheer volume of providers keeps prices competitive. See more prices by metro.

Many surgeons offer free consultations or apply the consultation fee to your procedure, so it can be worthwhile to meet with more than one qualified provider, so you can compare personalized cost quotes.

3. Where your surgical procedure is performed

Most plastic surgeons perform Smart Lipo in private surgical centers, which usually have lower facility fees than hospital operating rooms. 

When you’re discussing the surgical facility, be sure to ask if it’s certified for patient safety by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). 

4.  The complexity of your procedure

Your surgeon’s fee will largely be determined by the scope of your Smart Lipo procedure—how long it takes, how many areas it involves, and how much skill it requires.

If your surgeon’s fee is based primarily on the time the procedure takes, someone with a greater amount of fat to remove can expect to pay more.

Fat removal on one small spot usually costs less than the treatment of larger areas of the body, but the size of the area isn’t the only consideration. Some smaller zones, like a double chin, require a more nuanced approach due to their complex anatomy. That’s why chin Smart Lipo costs can be higher than those for more straightforward areas, like the bra roll.

The manufacturer of Smart Lipo lists ballpark costs for various body areas, including:

• Back: $2,750
• Flanks: $3,250
• Arms: $3,250
• Knees: $3,500
• Abdomen: $5,250

Naturally, the number of areas you have treated will also impact your price. Sculpting the entire torso (often called lipo 360) generally provides the most seamless outcome, but this contouring approach is much more expensive than targeting just the love handles or abdomen. Tacking on another separate area, like the upper arms, will further increase your total price. 

However, some practices offer Smart Lipo discounts when treating multiple areas of the body at once, charging less for each additional region.

During your consultation, ask your surgeon to explain their pricing structure and how your personalized treatment plan will impact your final bill. 

5. The type of anesthesia you get and who administers it

The cost of anesthesia includes the anesthesia provider fee and the hospital or facility anesthesia fee, which covers supplies, medications, and any additional staff. 

Smart Lipo can be done under local anesthesia with IV sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of your treatment and the preferences of you and your provider. 

Either type of anesthesia needs to be administered by a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or an anesthesiologist (an MD). A board-certified anesthesiologist will charge more than a CRNA, but their advanced training could increase your safety, particularly if you have underlying health conditions.

Will insurance pay for Smart Lipo?

Smart Lipo is an elective cosmetic treatment that’s not considered medically necessary, so it won’t be covered by health insurance.

Can you finance Smart Lipo procedure?

Yes, most practices offer payment plans or accept financing options.

The CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures.

Just be aware that some providers offer a discount if you pay in cash, so if you can do that, it may be worth the savings.

Smart Lipo costs in U.S. states

Browse average Smart Lipo costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.

Smart Lipo costs in major U.S. metros