Liposuction surgery costs have remained steady at about $2,700 in the last couple of years. Is this popular procedure worth the money? It may seem like "everyone is having it done" but not everyone has this type of money to put on the table. If you are considering liposuction make sure to include a thorough analysis of what the procedure will cost and how you are going to pay for it.

Cost estimates are based on 2005 and 2004 data supplied by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). This information is for the average liposuction price as surveyed by this organization. Something to note, is that information was broken out for the first time for the ultrasound assisted liposuction versus the suction assisted. The difference is almost $300, making the ultrasound assisted procedure more expensive.

Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Surgeon:

1) What exactly am I having done?

Liposuction surgery costs highly depend on the specifics of what is being done. These specifics include:

*the number of areas treated

*the amount of fat to be removed from the areas

*the part of the body that is being treated

*the amount of fat that is to be removed during the surgery

*sex of the individual male versus female

*procedure duration(can be driven by all the above factors)

2) Does your surgeon have a liposuction price list (as seen above with ultrasound assisted liposuction procedures, costs can vary)?

"How much does liposuction cost?" is one of the most frequently asked questions during the exploration process for most prospective patients, if your surgeon doesn't have this information readily available you should be a little wary.

3) Are the prices reasonable or do they seem way off of the averages provided by organizations like the ASAPS?

Keep in mind that liposuction surgery costs also can depend on the individual doctor that you are being treated by. This is why it is important to research many doctors before deciding on one. You should not limit yourself geographically if the price savings is worth it and the surgeon has a good reputation. The ASAPS notes that their average liposuction price is a national average, so geographical differences will occur. The liposuction fee can also vary by facility. Where the procedure is performed can be important, procedures can take place in a hospital, freestanding surgicenters and office-based. Bottom line, your choice of individual doctor plays a large role in determining liposuction surgery costs.

4) What is included in the price?

The liposuction fee may not not include other surgical costs such as anesthesia and follow up costs like prescription drugs. Other patient charges that the doctor may include are for the compression garment that is worn after the surgery, antibiotics that might be prescribed, and for blood tests that need to be done.

In conclusion you can see that how much your liposuction surgery costs depend on how much research your do before picking your surgeon. Some doctors may give you a discount if the liposuction is being performed on more than one body part. Liposuction surgery costs are not covered by health insurance because it is considered a cosmetic surgery. Due to the high demand for cosmetic procedures though, there are many ways that you can pay for liposuction surgery costs. You should ask your doctor if he has a payment plan. You should also look into financing your liposuction surgery costs. There are many resources to help with your decision, make sure you consider them before just plopping the cost onto your credit card where the interest rates might not be as competitive.