Quoted over $9k for liposuction on calves/ankles - is that the average?

That's a very high total for liposuction of a limited area, although liking and trusting your surgeon are important. You can certainly obtain the surgery for thousands less, from good surgeons, but you may not feel as comfortable as you do with your  current surgeon. So that you can feel secure with whatever decision you make, it might be a good idea to see another surgeon. 

RealSelf reports that the typical cost for liposuction near Los Angeles, CA ranges from $1,500 - $12,000 with an average cost of $6,250 near Los Angeles and an average of $6,025 from all locations. Costs vary by surgeon, geographic region, and the complexity of the procedure. Adding the anesthesia to the average cost would make the quoted figure reasonable. Liposuction in general is a technique and surgeon dependent procedure in which significant results without contour issues are achieved by few.  If you like the plastic surgeon and he or she is an expert in performing the lipo, you have made a wise choice.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angles, CA

Answer to your question is quite easy.  Yes it is too high.   The area you are doing is very limited and with fine cannulas quite fast to perform so lowers expense when done by experienced liposuction surgeon with st least 15 years of experience.  The procedure is safest with IV sedation which reduces cost of anesthesia and faster recovery.  So to sum up total cost for what you would like done is less than $4000 all included and paying more does not mean getting any better results.  Thanks for great question.  

Dear chalhessy,the price of the surgery depends on a lot of factors (surgeon, facility fee, anesthesia, city, etc.). If you have doubts, you can always ask for a second opinion.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

The short answer is that I had to read your question twice...thought I misread the price.  So yes, it seems high to me.Longer answer, consider getting some second opinions and keep in mind that a board certified plastic surgeon is your best bet.In good health,Ellen Mahony, MD

Prices of Liposuction in Los Angeles varies and it might not have to do anything to the quality of your liposuction. In order to get the best value you should first make sure that your Los Angeles plastic surgeon has had much experience and can show you pictures of others who have had the same type of liposuction. It wouldn't hurt to get several opinions, and ask questions.

Cost will vary due to skills, technique and expertise. For best results for shaping the calves and ankles, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Thank you for your question. Prices vary a lot according to experience and board certification of the plastic surgeon, facilities, quality of the practice, region, etc… You should have several consultations with different surgeons to have a idea of the price range before making the final decision.  That said, you definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety. A key quality indicator is Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.If you're willing to travel medical tourism is an attractive way to get quality results at a lower price. Cosmetic surgery in Colombia represents an increasingly attractive option for consumers looking for the ultimate combination of quality, price, availability, service, enjoyment, and value. Prices for plastic surgery procedures can be very affordable, and often 30-50% less than in the United States and Europe. However, when considering this option don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

Procedures cost vary by geographical locations, surgeons,
complexity of procedures and other factors. The LA market
prices may be different to a midwest location. You can visit
other practices but choose a board certified plastic surgeon
that you feel confortable with. A higher price does not always
mean a better result neither does a lower price. Best wishes.

For a very limited area such as the calves/ankles, the price that you were quoted seems extraordinarily high though there can be other factors behind this number which we are unaware of. Despite the fact that you like this doctor, you still may want to consider obtaining one or more additional consultations with reputable board certified plastic surgeons and then make your decision accordingly.Steven Turkeltaub, MD