Procedure guide · 6 listed FRACS surgeons
Liposuction in Australia: cost, recovery and surgeon checklist
Liposuction suctions out localised fat deposits to reshape body contours. It is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in Australia, with approximately 20,000 to 25,000 cases performed each year per ASPS estimates. Liposuction is a contouring procedure, not a weight-loss tool - it is best suited to patients close to a stable healthy weight who have specific stubborn fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Liposuction suctions out localised fat deposits to reshape body contours.
- ✓Typical Australian cost: $5,000 to $15,000 all-inclusive (Medicare not rebated).
- ✓6 FRACS-qualified plastic surgeons in our directory list liposuction among their specialisations.
- ✓Source: ASPS Find-a-Surgeon directory, AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Standard 2023, Medicare Benefits Schedule. Last updated 17 May 2026.
What it is
What liposuction actually involves
Modern Australian liposuction uses tumescent technique (large-volume infiltration of dilute local anaesthetic + adrenaline before suction) often combined with power-assisted (PAL) or ultrasound-assisted (UAL) cannulas. Vaser (ultrasound) is popular for areas requiring more precise contouring. Suction is performed through small (3-5mm) incisions placed in inconspicuous skin creases.
Areas commonly treated: abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs (inner + outer), knees, upper arms, back, submental (chin). The amount of fat safely removed in a single session is regulated - typically up to 5L total aspirate in Australia (versus 10L+ in some unregulated jurisdictions). Removing more than 5L significantly increases complication risk including fluid shifts and fat embolism.
Liposuction does not address loose skin. If you have significant skin laxity (from weight loss, pregnancy, age), liposuction alone will worsen the appearance because removing volume without addressing skin tone leaves more loose skin. Combined approaches like abdominoplasty + flank liposuction may be appropriate. Discuss honestly at consultation.
Who is a candidate
- Close to a stable healthy weight (BMI ideally under 30)
- Localised stubborn fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise
- Reasonable skin tone (good elasticity is required for skin to retract after fat removal)
- Smoking ceased at least 4 weeks pre-op
- Realistic expectations - liposuction reshapes contours but is not weight loss
- Two-week cooling-off period observed
Typical recovery timeline
Day 0-3
Day stay or overnight (depending on volume). Compression garment 24/7 for 4-6 weeks. Drainage from incisions for 24-72 hours is normal. Pain manageable with paracetamol + short course of stronger pain relief.
Week 1
Return to desk work at 5-7 days. Significant bruising and swelling peaks in first week.
Week 2-4
Compression garment continued. Swelling reduces 50%. Light cardio resumes at 2-3 weeks.
Month 1-3
Final contour visible at 8-12 weeks as swelling fully resolves. Light strength training at 4-6 weeks.
Month 3-6
Final result. Some residual numbness in treated areas can persist 6-12 months and resolves spontaneously.
See the full day-by-day timeline: Liposuction recovery timeline
Cost in Australia 2026
Single small area (e.g. chin): $5,000 to $7,000. Multiple areas (e.g. abdomen + flanks + thighs): $10,000 to $15,000. Vaser / ultrasound-assisted typically $1,000 to $3,000 more than standard. Never Medicare-rebated except in lipoedema cases (specific clinical indication with MBS criteria).
Questions to ask at consultation
- What technique do you use - tumescent, PAL, UAL/Vaser - and why for my areas?
- How many areas are appropriate to treat in a single session for my anatomy?
- Will you also address skin laxity, or is liposuction alone realistic for my tissue?
- What is the maximum volume you remove in a single session? (Should be at most 5L per AU guidelines)
- What is your contour-irregularity rate (e.g. dents, asymmetry)?
- What is your written quote with itemised surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, compression garment?
See our complete guide: 10 questions to ask any plastic surgeon
Red flags to walk away from
- ✗ Promises significant weight loss from liposuction (illegitimate - lipo is contouring not weight loss)
- ✗ Plans to remove more than 5L in single session
- ✗ Office-based theatre rather than accredited hospital (especially for multiple-area cases)
- ✗ No discussion of skin laxity / no honest assessment of whether skin will retract
- ✗ Pressure to add areas at consultation ("while you are under anaesthetic")
- ✗ No compression garment included in quote
Regulatory note
AHPRA s133 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law restricts cosmetic procedure advertising. We do not display before-and-after images or testimonials on this site. Verify any surgeon at ahpra.gov.au and cross-check ASPS membership at plasticsurgery.org.au before booking any procedure.
Directory · FRACS Specialist Plastic Surgeons
6 listed surgeons who include liposuction in their specialisations
Cross-referenced against AHPRA Specialist Register and ASPS Find-a-Surgeon directory. We list FRACS-qualified specialists only.
Sydney · Double Bay
FRACSDr Kourosh Tavakoli
Dr Tavakoli Plastic Surgery
Master of Surgery in Plastic Surgery from UNSW. Reported to have performed over 10,000 breast procedures.
Sydney · Bella Vista
FRACSDr Eddy Dona
Bella Plastic Surgery
Specialist Plastic Surgeon since 2007. Bella Plastic Surgery opened Bella Vista 2009.
Sydney · Bondi Junction
FRACSDr Naveen Somia
Naveen Somia Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
Immediate Past President of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. PhD on eyelid reanimation, University of Louisville.
Geelong · Geelong
FRACSMr Rafael Acosta-Rojas
Australian Skin Face Body
Mr Acosta-Rojas specialises in hand surgery, providing the latest non-surgical or minimally invasive alternatives where possible for conditions such as carpal t…
Adelaide · North Adelaide
FRACSDr Vani Prasad Atluri
Australian Craniofacial Unit
Vani Prasad is a Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon with expertise in lymphoedema surgery.
Gold Coast · Tugun
FRACSDr Mark Doyle
Gold Coast Plastic Surgery
Dr Mark Doyle has a busy surgical practice based at the southern end of the Gold Coast, Australia, near the Gold Coast International Airport and John Flynn Hosp…
Common questions
Liposuction - common questions
How much weight will I lose with liposuction?
Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. Even an aggressive multi-area liposuction removes around 3-5L of fat, equivalent to 3-5kg of weight on the scale. The benefit is contour improvement, not weight reduction. Patients who are significantly overweight are usually counselled to lose weight first then consider liposuction for stubborn residual areas.
Will the fat come back?
Fat cells removed are permanent. However, the remaining fat cells can still enlarge if you gain weight. Significant weight gain after liposuction (more than 5-10kg) can result in fat accumulating in untreated areas because the treated areas have fewer remaining fat cells. Maintaining stable weight is the best way to preserve liposuction results.
Is Vaser worth the extra cost?
Vaser (ultrasound-assisted liposuction) gives slightly more precise contouring and somewhat better skin retraction than standard tumescent liposuction. For areas requiring high precision (jawline, athletic abdominal etching) Vaser has real advantages. For large-volume body contouring of abdomen, hips, thighs, the difference is more modest. Vaser typically costs $1,000 to $3,000 more.
Can I have liposuction if I plan to lose weight first?
Most surgeons recommend reaching your stable weight before liposuction, then treating stubborn residual deposits. Liposuction performed at higher weight can mask the underlying body shape and you may want revision after weight loss. Lose first, then contour.
Will liposuction tighten loose skin?
No - liposuction removes fat but does not tighten skin. Skin retraction after liposuction depends on your existing skin elasticity (age, genetics, sun exposure). Younger patients with good elasticity see meaningful retraction; older patients or those with significant existing laxity often see loose skin worsen and may need a combined excisional procedure (abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, thigh lift).