How Much Does Liposculpture Cost?

The average cost of liposculpture is $5,625, but the price can range from $3,500 from one small body area to $20,000 (or more) for full body liposculpture, according to 1,981 patient reviews on RealSelf. 

That average is similar to the average cost of traditional liposuction, but it can cost significantly more to treat the same body area. That’s because liposculpture requires an advanced level of surgical training and the skilled use of energy-based devices. 

Read on to find out why the cost of liposculpture (aka high-definition lipo) can vary so much—and whether actual patients think the results of this surgical procedure are worth the money.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Liposculpture

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What does the cost include?

During your initial consultation, your prospective surgeon should map out their recommended treatment plan. That’s the time to request a personalized, all-in  liposculpting cost quote, including: 

• The surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesia fees
• Facility fees for the hospital operating room or accredited surgery center
• Lab work and medical tests
• Post-op medications and supplies, like compression garments
• Any follow-up appointments
• Lymphatic drainage massage appointments (required by some surgeons)

If any of these costs aren’t included in your doctor’s estimate, you’ll need to factor them into your total budget. 

Also ask your surgeon how they handle revision fees, in case you wind up requiring a secondary procedure to correct a complication or fine-tune your results.

For other important questions to ask at your initial consultation, see our guide to choosing the right surgeon for you.

Is liposculpture worth the money?

RealSelf members give liposculpture an impressive 92% Worth It Rating. So if you're a good candidate—a healthy nonsmoker, who's already fit and has good skin elasticity—this may be a worthwhile investment for you. 

No other body contouring procedure can achieve the same level of sculpting offered by liposculpture. This type of selective fat removal highlights your natural musculature, creating immediate results that continue to improve as swelling subsides. 

Results are considered permanent—if you maintain a stable weight. This is especially crucial after high-def liposculpture, which selectively removes and leaves fat to create the appearance of more dramatic muscle definition. Gaining even five pounds can cause the remaining fat cells to expand, causing contour irregularities. (One caveat: When 360 liposculpture is performed circumferentially—all the way around the torso—only large weight gains of 10 pounds or more will undermine results, for most patients.)

Like other types of lipo, this isn't a weight loss procedure. Surgeons are extra-picky when selecting patients for liposculpture. Appropriate candidates have a fair amount of muscle tone to unveil and must be willing to maintain their high-def results via a long-term commitment to clean eating and routine exercise.

If you don’t fit this criteria, or if your primary goal is reducing areas of stubborn fat rather than enhancing muscle definition, you may be better suited for another form of liposuction or a nonsurgical fat reduction or body sculpting procedure.

Compare the top-rated fat reduction treatments.

What affects the cost of liposculpture?

Your high def liposculpture cost will depend on:

1) How many areas of the body you’re having treated

The number of areas being treated will influence your overall cost. Common target areas for liposculpture include: 

• the abdomen (to create the look of six-pack abs) 
• pecs (in men)
• flanks (aka love handles)
• lower back
• thighs
• under the chin
• upper arms 
• buttocks

Smaller body areas with a more minimal amount of fat, such as the chin, usually cost less than larger areas. 

Unsurprisingly, having several areas of the body treated in one procedure means you’ll pay much more than you would for a single target area. But if you know you want multiple areas done to reach your body goals, you can save money by having them all done in one operation: most providers offer a discounted rate for each area you add. 

For example, New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Arnold Breitbart typically charges $4,000 for the first body area and $2,000 or so for each additional area.

If you're interested in having this body contouring procedure on the entire circumference of your torso, from abdomen to back, ask your surgeon what they charge for 360 lipo. 

Full-body liposculpture costs typically come in at the high end of the range, but depending on your desired results, budget, and level of commitment to maintaining a stable weight, it could be worth the investment.

2) The lipo technology used

High def liposculpture can be performed using standard tumescent liposuction, but most plastic surgeons on RealSelf who specialize in the procedure say that in order to get excellent results—that “cut” look everyone’s after—it’s best to use energy-assisted liposuction technologies. 

These improve liposculpture results by first breaking up the fat (with ultrasound, a laser, or a vibrating cannula), making it easier to remove from specific areas. This allows for more precise sculpting, at multiple depths, with less trauma to the surrounding tissue. 

Two of the most popular technologies used for body sculpting liposuction are VASER lipo and laser-assisted lipo (including SmartLipo).

3) The complexity of your procedure

Typically performed in a private surgical center, high def liposculpture usually takes two to four hours, but can take longer for patients with larger frames or those who’ve had prior liposuction (or certain nonsurgical fat-reduction procedures), which can create scar tissue that makes fat removal more challenging and time-consuming.

4) Whether you add complementary procedures

Liposculpture providers almost always combine it with some kind of skin tightening treatment, such as BodyTite or Renuvion, to help the skin retract over its new contours and to address any mild skin laxity that’s created once the fat is removed.

People with more significant loose skin may opt for surgical skin tightening, like a mini tummy tuck (average cost: $8,000). 

High-def lipo is also commonly paired with fat grafting to enhance the prominence of certain muscle groups.

5) Your provider's credentials and level of experience

You can expect to pay more if your board-certified plastic surgeon has a decade or more of experience. But considering the risks of liposculpture (which range from skin compromise and laser-related burns to lumps and asymmetry) and how difficult it can be to correct poor results, this additional cost could be well worth it.

“The single most important factor is the experience of your surgeon,” says Dr. Joubin Gabbay, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, California. “Liposculpture is important to do right the first time and can cause serious complications or poor results if not done properly. I have had to fix patients treated by other doctors who had significant contour problems, lumpy bumpy appearances, scarring, and even total tissue loss.”

6) Their practice location

You'll pay a premium if you choose a provider with a plastic surgery practice in an area like New York City or Los Angeles where the cost of living and demand for liposculpture is high. 

You may find more affordable prices at a modest practice in outlying suburbs, compared to a luxurious facility downtown. 

Some patients also choose to travel to cheaper areas like Miami, where plastic surgeons compete for patients with attractive deals. If you go this route, take special care in choosing your plastic surgeon. This isn’t a procedure that rewards bargain shopping. 

7)  Whether you have local or general anesthesia

For small areas, liposculpture can be done under local anesthesia (usually with IV or oral sedation.)

If you’re doing a larger area, more than two areas, fat transfer to another part of the body, or 360 liposculpture, the procedure will most likely be performed under general anesthesia. 

In cases requiring IV sedation or general anesthesia, either a board-certified anesthesiologist (an MD) or a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) will administer and oversee the anesthesia. Anesthesiologists charge a higher hourly rate than a CRNA, but some surgeons prefer them for the sake of patient safety. 

8) Any other related costs

During your initial consultation, ask your provider for an all-in price quote that includes all related fees, including any follow-up appointments. 

Ask whether you'll need to foot the bill for a compression garment (to help reduce swelling) and whether they'll recommend post-lipo lymphatic massage. Some doctors mandate massages to speed recovery, while others view them as optional.

Is liposculpture covered by insurance?

Liposculpture is considered a cosmetic procedure, so it’s not covered by insurance. 

If cost is a significant concern, ask your plastic surgeon about whether they offer payment plans or accept cosmetic surgery financing options.

Liposculpture costs in U.S. states

Browse average liposculpture costs in U.S. states, according to patient reviews on RealSelf. As of July 2023, Pennsylvania had the cheapest average cost (as reported by patients), while Washington state was the most expensive. States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.

Liposculpture 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 liposculpture is Miami, while people tend to pay the most in Charlotte, North Carolina. Cities not listed did not have enough data to include.