Pricing structure and discounts on Smart Lipo

Usually a combo of multiple areas gets you each area for about 2/3 the individual price of each area done alone because it's faster for surgeon to do them in combination, cheaper on supplies, and more efficient in terms of setup time, cleanup, paperwork and processing etc.

      Smart Lipo is a type of liposuction technique which utilizes liposuction and laser.  The original Smart Lipo units were underpowered and were of questionable value according to a Wall Street Journal expose on May 4, 2008.  Since then, Smart Lipo has added additional power and wavelengths and is now effective.       Other forms of liposuction include Vaser liposuction which uses ultrasonic waves and Body Jet liposuction which uses a powered water stream to loosen fat before liposuction. Coolsculpting is a non-surgical type of fat removal in which the fat is frozen.       Be especially wary of doctors who claim their specialty owns lipoplasty or liposuction. The term liposuction is generally credited to Dr Julius Newman, the former President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Finally, it is not customary to pay patients for before and after photos but do ask for a 50% discount on each additional body area.

Every plastic surgeon has different pricing and offer different discounts. It is important to find a PS that you feel comfortable with and this may mean having a consultation with multiple surgeons. I personally offer a multi-area discount on the surgeon fee for liposuction, but remember that the laser parts for the smartlipo laser machine do have to be changed with each patient and therefore add a cost to the procedure. I also do not offer a discount for before/after photos as all of my patients sign a release to allow me to show the photos in my office (I don't post them on-line). The patients face is not included in the photos unless the procedure(s) was on the face.

Every surgeon has different pricing so it is impossible for me to say what type of pricing is available in your area. Best of luck.

Each office has their own pricing structures. Better to be sure you are using OINLY a board certified Plastic Surgeon, the correct SmartLipo unit ( there are 8 models I ONLY use the SmartLipo TRIPLEX unit), if surgery under more than local anesthesia if doing multiple areas. I price per area/lipo aspirate volume in liters with OR time = To open the operating room fee $3,000 + SmartLipo fiber, etc. So 1 hour fee $4,000, each hour or areas/amount lipo aspirate +$1,000. To a total of $6,000 or 4 liters removed.  

Typically liposuction is discounted if you do multiple areas, especially if they are contiguous to one another such as the upper abs, lower abs, and love handles. Many practices will charge around $3-5,000 for those 3 areas. If you add on additional areas, you will find doing all of the areas at one time (if they can be done safely) will be more affordable.Typically there is not a discount for use of before and after photos, especially because the doctor doesn't know who will have ideal before and after photos until after you heal and he/she can see how well the skin retracted and how dramatic the change was (patients have a range of how well they do with their results based on how well they stick with their diet, compression garment wearing, skin retraction,etc.) You may be able to negotiate a discount for your before and after photos, but it's not the norm with most practices.Be sure to find a doctor who is experienced as this is your body and the results and safety are more important than getting a huge discount but if you're lucky you can find a reputable center that has prices that fit your budget.

There are plastic surgeons who do not budge on their prices. With others things, they are negotiable.It's a "buyer beware" market.In competition, various things tend to be more negotiable. In rural areas, things tend to be a little less expensive.A single area could cost between $3,000 and $5,000.Four to six areas may cost $1,500-$3,000 plus per area as well as operating room and possibly anesthesia fees.Don't look for bargains when shopping for parachutes or cosmetic surgery.It could cost a lot more in the end. Read some of the questions and comments of disfigured patients and choose wisely.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.