Selecting Quality and Affordable Liposuction

With the pressure to look perfect constantly increasing, more and more people are concerned with selecting quality and affordable liposuction. Even before the recession, the average person did not walk into a clinic and pay for liposuction with the money in their pocket. While it may be cheaper than plastic surgery, the cost of liposuction is still higher than most people can afford, especially in today's economy. With the price of everything going up, finding low cost liposuction may seem difficult. The key is to understanding the different kinds of liposuction, finding the cheapest doctors, and knowing how to finance the operation.

Also known as lipoplasty, body sculpting and tummy tucking, liposuction is a common procedure used to remove fat from specific parts of the body. Depending on the severity of the procedure, a patient is put under anesthesia; a process that increases the time spent recovering before they can go home. The doctor inserts a needle-like tube into a small incision, first breaking apart fat, then sucking it out. The procedure takes anywhere from half an hour to two hours. While the word is associated with the removal of stomach fat, it can also be performed on other areas of the body, such as arms, neck, thighs, back, butt and chest.

The price for liposuction is determined by the size of the area being operated on, smaller areas cost less, bigger areas cost more. The neck, face and chin are usually the cheapest, costing anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000. The arms and thighs fall in the same range, with the knees, hips, back and butt coming in slightly higher. The abdomen and breasts are the most expensive, usually ranging from $3,500 to $7,500. A recent advance in liposuction technology has created laser liposuction, which only requires mild anesthesia, leaving the patient awake during the operation. The risks are considered to be far less, the results tend to be better, and the laser stimulates the surrounding skin, decreasing the sagging effect sometimes occurring after normal liposuction. The cost of laser liposuction can be less than the traditional method, however it is meant for smaller pockets of fat, so it may not be right for people who need large amounts of fat removed.

Not all doctors who perform cosmetic surgery are certified plastic surgeons. Before deciding on a doctor, make sure he or she is certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Ask as many questions as needed, even if they seem offensive. It is better to have everything sorted out before the operation. Typical questions like cost, anesthesia procedures and typical results are good, as well as post-op expectations. However, do not hesitate to ask about the doctor's experience performing liposuction. Be sure to inquire about policies if the operation does not yield results, such as if the doctor will repeat the procedure, and at what cost. Ask to see before and after pictures. Since mistakes are not impossible, ask if there has ever been a problem with malpractice insurance.

Even after selecting quality and affordable liposuction, many people do not have the cash to pay up front for the procedure. Traditional insurance companies do not cover these costs, but some physicians have financing programs. There are also national finance companies that help those seeking elective surgeries, such as CareCredit and Capital One. Many online companies specializing in liposuction financing are also available, offering interest rates between 6%-16% and up to 60 month repayment terms. With a variety of financing options, liposuction can be affordable for anyone.