How Much Does Laser Lipo Cost?

Laser lipo costs $5,775 on average, the price can range as high as $14,995, according to 559 patient reviews on RealSelf.

Good candidates for laser lipo have minimal skin laxity and are already at or close to their target weight. This is a body contouring procedure that removes stubborn pockets of fat; it’s not a weight loss treatment. 

Read on to learn what the total cost of laser lipo includes, why prices vary, and whether real patients think the results of this fat removal procedure are worth the money.

RealSelf Tip: Some providers use the term “laser lipo” to refer to noninvasive, energy-based procedures like​​ i-Lipo and Zerona, which shrink fat cells but don’t actually remove them. This guide focuses on laser lipolysis, an FDA-approved surgical procedure that uses laser energy to liquify fat cells, before they’re completely suctioned out through a thin cannula. Smart Lipo is one popular brand of laser-assisted liposuction.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Laser Liposuction

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What to look for in a price quote

During your consultation with a plastic surgeon, ask for an all-in cost quote for your laser liposuction procedure that includes:

• the consultation fee (often applied to the cost of your procedure)
• the surgeon’s fee
• anesthesia fees for the supplies and provider
• facility fees
• the cost of any pre-op lab work
• all aftercare and follow-up visits
• the cost of OTC or prescription pain medications for recovery (if necessary)

Also ask if your surgeon recommends wearing a compression garment during recovery, and if you’ll need to purchase it yourself.

Is laser lipo worth the money?

Laser liposuction has an 89% Worth It Rating on RealSelf, so most people who’ve reviewed their procedure think their results were worth what they spent. 

Many reviewers who say laser lipo was worth the money (and the downtime) cite significant fat reduction, increased confidence, and positive experiences with their surgeons. One reviewer even called it their “best decision ever.”

Not everyone is thrilled with their results, however. Those who say it was “Not Worth It” note side effects, like contour irregularities in the treated area, a difficult recovery, or underwhelming results. 

The advantage of laser lipo over standard lipo is twofold: The laser’s heat melts excess fat, easing its removal, while also stimulating collagen production in the dermis for subtle skin tightening benefits. But while some doctors claim a shorter recovery time with laser lipo, others say the thermal energy can actually add to the downtime.

It’s worth noting that VASER liposuction, which uses ultrasound energy to enhance fat removal (and has become synonymous with high-def lipo), has a slightly higher rating than laser liposuction, but it also tends to cost more.  

Both VASER and conventional lipo (aka tumescent lipo) offer an edge over their laser counterpart: the suctioned fat can be moved to the face or other parts of the body—such as the buttocks, hips, and breasts—to add fullness or replace host volume. With laser lipo, the liquified fat isn’t viable for fat transfer.

RealSelf Tip: If you’re weighing laser lipo vs. CoolSculpting, RealSelf members report higher satisfaction with laser lipo, which physically carts away excess fat from targeted areas. Even though the average cost of CoolSculpting is dramatically less than laser liposuction, it has a much lower Worth It Rating. Most patients need multiple treatment sessions, and it takes months to see optimal results, because the body has to gradually metabolize and clear stubborn fat cells post-treatment.

Why do laser lipo costs vary?

These are the biggest factors that impact the cost of laser lipo.

1. The number and size of treatment areas

Every liposuction treatment plan should be tailored to the patient’s unique anatomy and goals. In many cases, your desired treatment areas will be the greatest determinant of how much laser lipo costs.

The most popular laser lipo treatment areas include the abdomen, love handles, back, butt (especially the “banana roll” underneath), upper arms, thighs, and double chin. 

• Larger treatment areas are usually more expensive because they take more time. For instance, the laser lipo cost for abdomens can range from $3,500 to $4,500, while smaller areas like a double chin can cost as little as $2,500. 
• Removing more fat also takes more time, which can translate into a higher bill.
• Having multiple treatment areas will also cost more, though some doctors discount their fee on each additional area. It’s also cheaper to combine multiple areas into one procedure than to break them up into multiple sessions, because you’ll only have to pay the anesthesia and facility fees once. 
• Liposculpture (aka high-def lipo) work will also increase your total price, due to the time and level of skill it requires. 

2. The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it

Another big factor in the price you’ll pay is whether your surgeon recommends local anesthesia with oral sedation (which can be administered by them or one of their assistants), or a form that needs to be administered and monitored by another medical professional, such as general anesthesia or IV sedation, aka “twilight.”

If your plastic surgeon determines that your procedure will be better carried out under general anesthesia or IV sedation (which may be the case if you’re having multiple areas treated), you can expect to pay thousands of dollars more. 

The qualifications of your anesthesia provider will also impact the total cost of laser liposuction: 

• You’ll pay more if it’s administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist (an MD), rather than a certified registered nurse anesthetist (a CRNA). 
• Some surgeons will only work with an anesthesiologist (especially if the patient has any underlying condition) because their advanced training can increase patient safety. 

3. Your surgeon’s credentials and level of expertise

Your lipo provider’s qualifications—such as their level of education, certifications, and how long they've been in practice—will all factor into their surgeon’s fee. 

An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologic surgeon will usually charge a higher surgeon's fee than a general surgeon or another type of physician who offers procedures like this one. But they’ll also have more advanced training.

You may also find that a plastic surgeon who specializes in laser liposuction and other body contouring treatments will charge more, due to their greater expertise and patient demand. 

Before you choose your surgeon, consider that laser lipo comes with all of the risks of traditional liposuction, plus potential burns from the heat of the laser, especially in inexperienced hands. Choosing a well-qualified surgeon will help increase your safety and the likelihood of a good cosmetic result.

4. Where your procedure is performed

The location of your plastic surgeon’s practice (and how that impacts their overhead for costs such as rent and staff salaries) also affects what they’ll charge for laser lipo. 

Providers who practice in cities with a high cost of living generally have to charge more than those in more affordable locations. But costs can vary even by neighborhood, so it can be worthwhile to consult with (and get personalized cost quotes from) more than one provider, so you can compare.

The type of surgical facility also matters: facility fees are usually lower if your procedure is performed at a private surgery center than in a hospital operating room. If you go this route, just confirm during your initial consultation that: 

• your surgeon's operating room is fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
• they have hospital privileges nearby, in case you need to be admitted due to a medical emergency 

Does insurance ever cover the cost of laser lipo?

Since this surgery is an elective cosmetic procedure, the cost of laser lipo is not covered by health insurance. 

However, insurance may cover all or part of the price of laser liposuction if it’s required to remove subcutaneous lipomas (benign fatty growths) beneath the skin’s surface. If this is the case, discuss prices and coverage with your surgeon and insurance company. 

If cost is a barrier, ask your provider if they offer monthly payment plans or accept plastic surgery financing options that can help spread out the cost.

Laser liposuction costs in U.S. states

These were the average laser liposuction costs in U.S. states, according to recent patient reviews on RealSelf. As of July 2023, the cheapest state for laser lipo was Florida (where lipo clinics are ubiquitous), while Oregon was the most expensive. States not listed did not have enough data to include.

Laser lipo costs in major U.S. metros

Average costs according to patient-reported data. As of July 2023, the cheapest metro area in the U.S. to get laser liposuction is Tampa, FL, while people tend to pay the most in Portland, OR. Cities not listed did not have enough data to include.