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Liposuction

Surgical suction-assisted removal of localized fat deposits using small cannulas; performed under general or local anesthesia in 1-3 hours.

Cosmetic Body Avg. stay 7 days 22 clinics $1,000 - $8,310

Typical price (medical tourism)

From $2,000 – $6,000

Indicative range from clinics listed on xcuro; final quote varies by clinic & case.

What this costs in the U.S.

United States$4,711

Through xcuro$2,000 – $6,000

About 15% less than the U.S. figure, and that U.S. figure counts the surgeon's fee alone — anesthesia and facility charges are billed on top, so the real gap is wider

U.S. figure: American Society of Plastic Surgeons — surgeon fee only, excludes anesthesia and facility · source · checked September 10, 2026

Flights, hotel and transfers are not included in either figure.

Overview

Liposuction is a surgical body-contouring procedure that removes localized subcutaneous fat through small cannulas inserted via short incisions in the skin. According to the NHS, the surgeon first marks the treatment area, infiltrates it with a tumescent solution containing local anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor to reduce blood loss and bruising, breaks up the fat using mechanical vibration (power-assisted liposuction), laser energy (laser-assisted) or fluid jet (water-assisted), and then aspirates the fat through the cannula (NHS). The operation typically takes one to three hours and most patients spend one night in the hospital. Liposuction is intended for patients who are within roughly 30% of their target weight and have isolated fat deposits, such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, back or under the chin, that resist diet and exercise. It is not a weight-loss treatment and does not correct loose or stretched skin; patients with poor skin elasticity often need it combined with skin-tightening procedures such as a tummy tuck or arm lift (NHS). Most surgeons set a per-session aspirate ceiling (commonly 5 liters of supernatant fat) to limit fluid-shift and hemodynamic complications. In South Korea, liposuction is commonly performed with VASER ultrasound-assisted or power-assisted cannulas and is often combined with autologous fat grafting to the face or buttocks, allowing the harvested fat to be re-injected in the same session. International patients usually plan a 5-7 day stay: surgery and one overnight, drain or stitch checks at 2-3 days, removal of sutures at day 7, and clearance to fly. A compression garment is worn 24 hours a day for the first 2-4 weeks, then daytime for several more weeks (NHS). Final contour takes time to reveal: swelling and firmness can persist 3-6 months, and the treated area continues to remodel for up to a year. Numbness in the treated zones typically resolves over 6-8 weeks. Weight gain after surgery causes the remaining fat cells in untreated areas to enlarge, so long-term result preservation depends on stable weight (NHS).

Hospital & stay

2–3 nights

Hospital stay

7 days

Total stay abroad

Cosmetic

Procedure type

Procedure details

How it's performed

After marking the treatment zone, the surgeon infiltrates the area with tumescent fluid containing local anesthetic and adrenaline. Fat is then emulsified using mechanical vibration, ultrasound, laser or pressurized water and aspirated through thin cannulas (3-5 mm) inserted through 3-5 mm skin incisions. Procedure time is typically 1-3 hours under general or local-plus-sedation anesthesia. Most patients stay overnight.

Preparation

1Surgical consultation to confirm body-mass index is within an acceptable range and to mark treatment zones with the patient standing.
2Stop smoking and stop blood-thinning medications (aspirin, NSAIDs, fish oil) 2 weeks pre-op on physician advice.
3Pre-operative laboratory tests, ECG and anesthesia clearance.
4Fast 6-8 hours before general anesthesia; arrange transport home and 24-hour post-op caregiver.
5Purchase compression garments in the size recommended by the surgical team.

Recovery

1Day 0-1: Surgery; one overnight stay; compression garment fitted; oral analgesics and antibiotics.
2Day 2-3: Drain or fluid leakage from incisions is common and expected.
3Day 7: Stitches removed; many international patients cleared to fly.
4Week 3-4: Gentle exercise (walking, light cardio) permitted; compression garment continued.
5Week 10-12: Strenuous exercise resumed.
6Month 3-6: Swelling settles and the final body contour emerges; numbness gradually resolves.

Before & after results

See all Liposuction results →

Before you travel: what the CDC recommends

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes guidance for Americans traveling abroad for medical care. These are its recommendations, not ours.

Check the qualifications of the clinician who will perform the procedure and the credentials of the facility.
Bring copies of your medical records, including lab and other test results related to your condition.
Make sure you can get follow-up care in the United States. Care for complications can be expensive and might not be covered by your health insurance.
Obtain international travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation back to the United States.
Plan for the possibility of paying out of pocket for additional or emergency care.
See your own healthcare provider 4–6 weeks before the trip to discuss risks specific to your health.
Delay air travel for 10–14 days after major surgery, particularly chest surgery, to reduce risks from changes in cabin pressure.

Source: CDC Travelers’ Health — Medical Tourism

Best countries for Liposuction: prices vs the U.S.

Price ranges published by clinics listed on xcuro in each country (USD), next to the typical U.S. price. Final quotes vary by clinic and case.Liposuction cost in the U.S. by state and city →

Country	Price at listed clinics	Clinics
South Korea	$1,000 - $20,800	5	Full guide →
Turkey	$1,500 - $8,310	9	Full guide →
Thailand	$1,500 - $2,000	2	Full guide →
Mexico	$3,499 - $7,499	2	Full guide →
Colombia	$4,320 - $7,410	3	Full guide →
United States	$4,711 surgeon's fee only	American Society of Plastic Surgeons — surgeon fee only, excludes anesthesia and facility