Key facts
| Korean name | 지방흡입 |
|---|---|
| What it is | Surgery that removes fat cells from a specific area through small incisions and a thin tube. |
| Maker | Not applicable: a surgical procedure |
| Korea (MFDS) | Not applicable: a procedure, not a product |
| United States (FDA) | Not applicable: a procedure, not a product |
| Downtime | Compression garment for a few weeks; back to work after a few days to 2–3 weeks, depending on the source and the job |
| Clinics in this directory | 5 |
| Published regular prices (lowest) | ₩1,500,000 (≈ US$1,120) — YUNO Plastic Surgery, Liposuction, one area, VAT not stated |
| Published regular prices (highest) | ₩4,000,000 (≈ US$2,990) — Marble Plastic Surgery, Thigh liposuction (fee notice starting price), VAT excluded |
| Prices checked | 29 October 2026 |
Facts come from the sources listed on this page; prices from the clinics' own price lists, checked up to 29 October 2026. Prices differ in product, amount and VAT basis.
What is liposuction
Liposuction lowers the number of fat cells in a specific area, according to Mayo Clinic. It is not an overall weight-loss method. The doctor decides after an examination which areas can be treated.
In the usual technique, the surgeon first infuses diluted local anaesthetic fluid into the area to reduce bleeding and trauma. This is called the tumescent step. The surgeon then inserts a thin hollow tube, a cannula, through small incisions to loosen the fat, and the fat is suctioned out (American Society of Plastic Surgeons, ASPS). A review of the medical literature says tumescent anaesthesia allows large volumes of fat to be removed with minimal blood loss (Tierney and colleagues, 2011).
Some methods add a device. Mayo Clinic lists ultrasound-assisted (UAL), laser-assisted (LAL) and power-assisted (PAL) liposuction, and says ultrasound-assisted liposuction is sometimes used together with traditional liposuction. Ask the clinic which method it will use for you.
Anaesthesia
Mayo Clinic says some liposuction is done with local or regional anaesthetics, often with IV medicine to help you relax, and some with general anaesthesia. ASPS lists intravenous sedation and general anaesthesia as the choices. Mayo Clinic also notes that the local anaesthetic in the infused fluid can sometimes cause serious heart and nervous-system problems.
Our sources do not say who gives the anaesthesia in Korean clinics. The American Society of Anesthesiologists advises that anaesthesia care be led by an anaesthesiologist. Ask who will give the anaesthesia and what that person's role is.
How clinics in Korea price liposuction
- By body area. Most lists name the area: arms, thighs, abdomen, back and so on. Clinics group areas differently, so one clinic's "arms" or "thighs" item can cover more than another's. Read the item name.
- Ranges and starting prices. Some lists show a range for one area. Others show only a starting price. The final price depends on the examination.
- Packages. Double-chin liposuction is sometimes sold together with muscle tightening (platysmaplasty) as one package or one surgery price. The highest price in the key-facts box can therefore be a combined procedure, not a single area.
- Event prices. Time-limited event prices exist. They appear in the table with an end date and are not regular prices.
- Not covered by insurance. Cosmetic surgery is outside Korea's national health insurance, for Korean residents as well. In Korean this is called 비급여 (bigeubyeo, "non-covered"). Each clinic sets its own price. Under the Medical Service Act (article 45), clinics must make their non-covered fees easy to find and may not charge more than the fees they posted.
- 10% VAT. As of October 2026, Korea's VAT decree names liposuction among the cosmetic operations that carry 10% VAT. "부가세 별도" (bugase byeoldo) means VAT is added on top of the listed price. Some lists do not state the VAT basis. The tourist VAT refund for cosmetic procedures ended on 31 December 2025. See our guide to VAT and the ended refund.
Deposits and cancellations
Many clinics ask for a deposit when you book surgery. Korea's Consumer Dispute Resolution Standards (Fair Trade Commission notice 2025-14, in force from 18 December 2025) say that when a patient cancels cosmetic surgery, 90% of the deposit comes back three or more days before the surgery date, 50% two days before, 20% one day before and nothing on the day or later. If the deposit is more than 10% of the surgery price, the calculation uses 10% of the price. These standards guide agreements and mediation. They do not automatically override a contract. The Korea Consumer Agency has advised paying a deposit of no more than 10% of the total cost. Read more in our guide to deposits and cancellations.
Published prices
The table shows each clinic's published prices by item, unit and VAT basis. Regular prices and event prices are marked separately. The lowest and highest prices in the key-facts box can be for different procedures, so compare like with like.
| Clinic | Item | Unit | Price (KRW) | VAT | Type | Valid until | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBAE Clinic | Arms (incl. accessory breast and underarm) | per area | ₩2,500,000 (≈ US$1,870) – ₩4,700,000 (≈ US$3,510) | VAT excluded | Regular | — | 29 October 2026 |
| BBAE Clinic | Abdomen 360 + pubic area | per area | ₩3,500,000 (≈ US$2,610) – ₩8,200,000 (≈ US$6,130) | VAT excluded | Regular | — | 29 October 2026 |
| BBAE Clinic | Back (shoulder blade, bra line) | per area | ₩2,000,000 (≈ US$1,490) – ₩3,800,000 (≈ US$2,840) | VAT excluded | Regular | — | 29 October 2026 |
| BBAE Clinic | Thighs (incl. 'Chanel line') | per area | ₩3,500,000 (≈ US$2,610) – ₩7,500,000 (≈ US$5,600) | VAT excluded | Regular | — | 29 October 2026 |
| Marble Plastic Surgery | Arm liposuction (fee notice starting price) arms | per area | ₩2,500,000 (≈ US$1,870) | VAT excluded | Regular | — | 29 October 2026 |
| Marble Plastic Surgery | Thigh liposuction (fee notice starting price) thighs | per area | ₩4,000,000 (≈ US$2,990) | VAT excluded | Regular | — | 29 October 2026 |
| ONYX Plastic Surgery | Double-chin liposuction + muscle tightening (KakaoTalk channel friends event) | per package | ₩1,190,000 (≈ US$889) | VAT excluded | Event | 31 October 2026 | 29 October 2026 |
| Will Be Plastic Surgery | Double chin and jawline liposuction with muscle tightening (platysmaplasty) | per surgery | ₩6,650,000 (≈ US$4,970) | VAT not stated | Regular | — | 29 October 2026 |
| YUNO Plastic Surgery | Liposuction, one area 1 area | per area | ₩1,500,000 (≈ US$1,120) | VAT not stated | Regular | — | 29 October 2026 |
Downtime and aftercare
- Compression. You wear an elastic bandage or compression garment to limit swelling (ASPS). Mayo Clinic says these garments are worn for a few weeks.
- Overnight stay. If a lot of fluid has been removed, you may stay overnight for monitoring (Mayo Clinic).
- Back to work. Mayo Clinic says you may need to wait a few days. The ASPS recovery timeline puts the return to work in weeks 2 to 3, depending on your job. The two sources differ, so ask your surgeon about your own job.
- Swelling and results. The ASPS timeline has the bruising gone and the swelling starting to subside by weeks 4 to 5. Mayo Clinic says it takes weeks to months for the swelling to go down and the final results to show.
- Flying home. The NHS advises not flying for 5 to 7 days after liposuction (page last reviewed in December 2022), and the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons gives the same interval. Air travel and surgery each raise the risk of a blood clot. The CDC says the surgeon who operated should decide when you may fly. Plan where your check-ups will take place after you go home. See our guide to downtime and flights.
Questions to ask the clinic
- Which areas does the price cover, and is it per area or for the whole operation? Ask for the areas in writing.
- Which method will be used (tumescent only, or ultrasound-, laser- or power-assisted), and what anaesthesia? Who will give it?
- Who will operate? In an alert on eye and nose surgery, the Korea Consumer Agency advised checking whether the surgeon is a specialist in plastic surgery (성형외과 전문의), their experience and their main field.
- Will I get a written consent form that names the explaining doctor and the main doctors taking part? Korean law requires one before surgery or general anaesthesia, and you can ask for a copy.
- If I am under general anaesthesia, will the operation be filmed? Korean law requires a camera in the operating room for patients who are not conscious, and the operation must be filmed if you or your guardian ask, with limited exceptions.
- What aftercare is included (compression garment, check-ups), and where can I have check-ups after I fly home?
- Is VAT included? Is this a regular or an event price? What are the deposit and cancellation terms?
Compare and read more
Related guides from this directory:
- Downtime and flights after a procedure in Korea
- Deposits and cancellations at Korean clinics
- Event price vs list price
Clinics that list liposuction
These clinics in this directory publish liposuction prices. Each card links to the clinic's listing.
Marble Plastic Surgery
마블성형외과의원
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
FAQ
How much does liposuction cost in Korea?
Korean clinics usually price liposuction by body area, and some publish only a starting price. What counts as one area differs between clinics, and combined packages such as double-chin liposuction with muscle tightening are priced as one item. The table on this page shows each clinic's regular prices with the VAT basis and the date they were checked.
Is liposuction a way to lose weight?
No. Mayo Clinic says liposuction is not considered an overall weight-loss method or an alternative to weight loss. It lowers the number of fat cells in a specific area. The doctor decides after an examination whether an area is suitable for treatment.
How long should I stay in Korea after liposuction?
No source gives one answer. The NHS and the British plastic surgeons' association advise not flying for 5 to 7 days after liposuction, and Mayo Clinic says large-volume cases may stay overnight for monitoring. Return to work ranges from a few days to weeks 2 to 3. Agree your return date with the surgeon before you book a flight.
Does Korean insurance cover liposuction?
No. Cosmetic surgery is outside Korea's national health insurance, also for residents, so each clinic sets its own price. Clinics must post their non-covered fees and may not charge more than they posted. Cosmetic surgery carries 10% VAT, and the tourist VAT refund ended on 31 December 2025 (status as of October 2026).
What anaesthesia is used for liposuction?
Mayo Clinic says some liposuction uses local or regional anaesthetics, often with IV medicine to relax, and some uses general anaesthesia. ASPS lists intravenous sedation and general anaesthesia as the choices. Our sources do not say who gives it in Korean clinics, so ask. Anaesthesiologists advise that anaesthesia care be led by an anaesthesiologist.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS): Liposuction procedure steps
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS): Liposuction recovery
- Mayo Clinic: Liposuction
- Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (PubMed abstract): Tierney, Kouba and Hanke, Safety of tumescent and laser-assisted liposuction: review of the literature (2011)
- NHS (England): Cosmetic surgery abroad (last reviewed 14 December 2022)
- British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS): Cosmetic surgery abroad
- American Society of Anesthesiologists: Preparing for surgery, adult checklist
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC Yellow Book 2026, medical tourism
- Fair Trade Commission via National Law Information Center: Consumer Dispute Resolution Standards, Notice 2025-14
- Korea Consumer Agency: Alert on unreturned cosmetic-surgery deposits (2013)
- Korea Consumer Agency via Consumer 24: Alert on eye and nose surgery (2015)
- National Law Information Center (Ministry of Government Legislation): Medical Service Act, article 24-2 (explanation and consent)
- National Law Information Center (Ministry of Government Legislation): Medical Service Act, article 38-2 (operating-room CCTV)
- National Law Information Center (Ministry of Government Legislation): Medical Service Act (articles 45 and 56)
- National Law Information Center (Ministry of Government Legislation): Rules on health insurance benefits, article 7 and Appendix 2 (non-covered items)
- National Law Information Center (Ministry of Government Legislation): VAT Enforcement Decree, article 35
- National Law Information Center (Ministry of Government Legislation): Restriction of Special Taxation Act, article 107-3 (tourist VAT refund)
Prices in the table are the regular prices that clinics in this directory publish on their own price lists, checked at each update.