This information has been medically reviewed by Melbourne-based cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gordon Ku. LinkedIn Profile here
To learn more about cosmetic surgery, what’s best for you, what to expect before and after, potential side effects and liposuction cost Melbourne, make contact. Our clinics in Australia have expert surgeons, who hold general registration or specialist registration, and also offer non-surgical procedures.
The most common question people ask about Liposuction in Melbourne is how much does liposuction cost? In general, the cost of liposuction varies depending on the number of areas and time required to perform the procedure. Each patient is individual and has different requirements. This makes it difficult to quote ‘general fees’ for liposuction, as there are many factors to consider in determining the final price. The main factors that determine the cost of a liposuction procedure are:
- The number of treatment areas
- The time required in theatre
- The patient’s individual requirements
This is not an exhaustive list, just the most common factors that impact the cost of liposuction in Australia. Our practitioners hold general registration or specialist registration.
At Me Clinic, where our practitioners hold general registration or specialist registration, we always recommend a one-on-one consultation with a surgeon to examine and assess the treatment areas. Only after this initial consultation can we give accurate costs, which we provide in a customised quote tailored to your needs and requirements. If you don’t know if liposuction is right for you, read more in our quick guide which might help.
We understand however, that you may want a guideline as a starting point to see whether it’s within your personal financial means. So we developed a general overview. Although it’s not a fixed price quote and these are guides only.
Liposuction fees guide:
One area of the body: $4,000 to $6,000
Two areas of the body: $9,000 to $12,000
Three areas of the body: $13,000 to $17,000
Generally, the liposuction costs for one area of the body starts from $4,000. This is a starting price and the final cost may vary based on additional costs such as anaesthesia and aftercare. The following table provides details around the likely cost of liposuction based on the area being considered. Please note that these prices are estimates and the final cost may vary.
Chin and Neck: $5,000
Abdomen (one area): $7,200
Inner and outer thighs: $9,000
Surgical Warning: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Read more on the Risks of Surgery
The Role of Liposuction in Body Contouring
Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure performed by a plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons that sculpts the body by removing unwanted fat in localised body areas. Fat cells are suctioned out using a cannula that minimises disruption to surrounding tissues for more proportionate body shape.
It’s important to understand that liposuction is not weight loss surgery; rather it is an effective technique to shape the body by removing excess fat deposits that you are struggling to shed through consistent exercise and a healthy diet. It can be performed in conjunction with other surgical procedures such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to achieve your desired result.
Choose Liposuction
At Me Clinic in Melbourne, our health practitioners are fully qualified with many years of experience in performing liposuction on suitable patients. We only ever use qualified anaesthetists as well as theatres and surgical hospitals that are fully accredited.
The Cost of Liposuction
Factors Influencing the Cost of Liposuction
When it comes to liposuction in Australia, the most common question we encounter is, “How much does liposuction cost?” The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all solution with this cosmetic procedure. The total cost depends on many factors and each patient is an individual with individual needs and requirements. Some of the biggest factors that determine how much liposuction will cost you in Australia include:
- The number of areas to be treated
- The specific areas being treated
- The amount of fat removal required for each area
- The total time needed to perform the procedure in theatre
- Any other individual requirements unique to each patient
General Fee Guidelines for Liposuction
The best way to know exactly what liposuction surgery will cost you is to speak to a Me Clinic surgeon. We provide one-on-one consultations with our highly qualified surgeons where we can examine and assess the areas to be treated and give you an accurate cost. Each customised quote will be tailored to your individual needs and requirements.
If you’re interested to know whether liposuction is within your budget however, we’ve put together a handy general fee guideline to give you an overview of what you may expect:
- One area generally costs between $4000-$6000
- Two areas generally cost between $9000-$12,000
- Three areas generally cost between $13,000-$17,000
Cost Breakdown by Body Area
Of course, the cost is not only determined by the number of areas of the body being treated but also the specific target area. From excess waistline fat (love handles) to the upper arms and a double chin, each part of the body has a different price range that will affect the total amount. To give you an idea, we’ve broken down the costs for some popular treatment areas:
- Outer thighs and inner thighs – Around $9,000
- Abdomen – Around $7,200 for one area
- Chin and neck – Around $5,000
Components of Liposuction Costs
Surgeon’s Fees
The surgeon’s fees will be included in your initial quotation. This fee will depend on a number of factors, including:
The specific area
- The number of areas and amount of fat
- Total time in theatre
- The expertise level required to perform the surgery
- Your level of required aftercare for optimal results
- The location of the hospital or theatre
Theatre and Hospital Fees
Hospital and theatre fees make up part of the total cost. This will vary depending on the location of the practice and when you attend. Most liposuction cases are a same-day surgery procedure and you will likely be charged an hourly rate. In general, the more areas you have treated, the longer the procedure and higher the cost although this isn’t always the case. When being advised of hospitals, consider:
- Fully accredited hospitals and theatres
- Suitably trained medical staff
- High standards, which are typically published for the public
Anaesthetist Fees
Liposuction can be performed with either a local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic. Ensure your anaesthetist is a member of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) and is fully qualified to perform general anaesthesia services. Anaesthetist fees can be up to $800 per hour with a single area generally requiring 1-2 hours. Your Me Clinic surgeon will discuss what type of anaesthesia will be used during the consultation.
Post-operative Care
Your recovery time will depend on how many areas you have had treated and the type of area as well as your general wellbeing. This fee is included in the procedure fee. Me Clinic is proud to offer patients exceptional post-operative care to ensure optimal results.
Post-operative Garments
After your procedure, you will be fitted with compression garments to reduce swelling and assist in recovery. The amount of time you will need to wear the garments depends on the amount of fat removed and the target area.
Types of Liposuction
The most common types of liposuction include:
Ultrasound
The Vaser liposuction technique that uses ultrasound waves to break up and liquify fat cells so that they are easier to extract. This is a highly precise form of lipo for fat removal that effectively ‘melts’ stubborn pockets of fat and suctions it out with minimal downtime.
Laser Lipolysis
Laser Lipolysis uses laser to heat the excess fat, melt it and extract it while contracting collagen fibres to target loose skin and tighten skin elasticity for smoother results.
Power-Assisted
This technique uses a power cannula to delicately move through fat that is being aspirated.
The Liposuction Journey at Me Clinic
Initial Consultation
You will start your Me Clinic journey with a thorough one-on-one consultation. Here, your surgeon will discuss your concerns and set realistic expectations for the procedure so that you understand what is possible and what is not. You’ll have the chance to ask any questions and we’ll provide you with a customised quote.
Medical Investigations
During your consultation, we will arrange medical investigations to ensure that you are healthy and medically fit for cosmetic surgery. We’ll also discuss potential risks and side effects.
The Liposuction Procedure
Tumescent liposuction involves making small incisions in the treatment area while the patient is under sedation using either general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia. With modern liposculpture techniques, specialised steel cannulas are inserted to remove fat cells without disrupting blood vessels or nerves with the assistance of medical suction machines. In most cases, liposuction is a same-day surgery procedure.
Post Operative Care
Many of our liposuction treatments require minimal downtime. After surgery, you will be fitted into compression garments and allowed to return home to begin your recovery. You may feel drowsy as the sedation subsides so arrange for someone to pick you up and stay the night.
Your garments will need to be worn between 4-6 weeks. Expect a small amount of swelling to the treated area that can last up to 6 weeks. Between 1-3 days, you will return to the clinic for your first follow-up. Our medical team will continue to monitor you closely throughout the duration of your recovery with regular post-operative checks and ongoing assistance.
The Importance of Aftercare
It’s essential that you follow the post-operative care regime prepared for you by your surgeon. It has been specifically designed to give you optimal results that are long-term and to maximise your healing after surgery.
Health and Wellbeing Considerations
Choosing Me Clinic Melbourne
As one of the first clinics in Australia to perform liposuction, Me Clinic are leaders in the field of surgery and we excel in patient care and treatment. We offer:
Years of experience
- Highly skilled and qualified cosmetic surgeons
- Expert tailored care every step of the way
- Choose Australia Over Overseas Clinics
When considering cosmetic surgery, it’s important to realise that your cosmetic procedure is also a medical procedure that requires an experienced surgeon in an accredited facility. With overseas surgeons, it can be much more difficult to know the standards and qualifications of those involved in the procedure. Me Clinic’s medical team are all members of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and must adhere to the high standards set out in the code of conduct to ensure safe provisions for every Australian patient.
Finding the Best Surgeon for Your Liposuction Procedure
It is important to assess the credentials of everyone involved, from the surgeon to the nurses to the anaesthetist. You must also ensure you fully understand the entire process before commitment, from pre-care through to post-care, as well as costs.
Contact Me Clinic today to discover whether liposuction is right for you.
Surgical Warning: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Risks associated with liposuction may include but are not limited to infection, scarring, adverse reaction to anesthesia, changes in skin sensation, damage to underlying structures, unsatisfactory results, and the need for additional procedures. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Disclaimer: The information on the website is for general guidance only and cannot be used as a basis to make a surgical decision. An initial consultation with our surgeon is required to assess if you’re a suitable candidate and to help you make an informed decision before proceeding with any surgical procedure.
Dr Gordon Ku
Dr. Gordon has over 24 years of experience in various aspects of cosmetic medicine and surgery.... Read more
Does the cost of liposuction include post-operative care?
Yes. The quotation given to you during your initial consultation will be the total amount of the liposuction procedure, from surgery through to post-op care.
Are there additional costs to consider when planning for liposuction?
You may also want to consider travel costs to and from the clinic and hospital and costs for comfortable clothes if you don’t own any. Be aware that in most cases, Medicare will not cover the cost of liposuction as it is considered cosmetic and not medically necessary.