Liposuction Surgery
Conveniently located to serve St. Louis
Liposuction in St. Louis, MO, is a technique used to remove unwanted subcutaneous fat deposits on various parts of the body that are otherwise unresponsive to diet and exercise. Dr. Paul Rottler, a board-certified plastic surgeon, performs this procedure to help patients achieve their body contouring goals.
How Does Liposuction Work?
Liposuction combines a sterilized cannula and a surgical vacuum device to break up and remove unwanted fat deposits. Dr. Rottler offers both suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) and ultrasound-assisted lipectomy (UAL), allowing him to select the most effective approach for each patient’s specific needs.
This body contouring technique can be used to target fat deposits in a variety of areas, including the:
- Hips
- Lower and upper back
- Outer thighs
- Abdomen
Good Candidates for Liposuction
Dr. Rottler advises that patients have a BMI below 30 and be close to their ideal body weight before undergoing liposuction. St. Louis patients who have not had any luck reducing excess stubborn body fat through consistent diet and exercise are ideal candidates for liposuction surgery. They should also have realistic expectations and good skin elasticity.
Liposuction is not a viable solution for those who are moderately to severely overweight, or for treating obesity or cellulite. Patients should not smoke for an extended period of time before and after the surgery in order to limit risks for complications and promote proper healing during recovery.
The Procedure
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure that generally lasts two to four hours. The exact time it will take depends on the number and size of the target areas.
On the day of surgery, Dr. Rottler will first map out the specific treatment sites and confirm them with the patient. An anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia to ensure your total comfort. Tiny, inconspicuous incisions are then made at or near the targeted sites. Diluted local anesthesia is administered to minimize bleeding and trauma.
Dr. Rottler will then use either SAL or UAL, depending on your treatment areas. With suction-assisted liposuction, a thin, sterilized cannula is inserted at the incision site and moved in a controlled back-and-forth motion to dislodge the targeted fat deposits. With ultrasound-assisted liposuction, the cannula emits ultrasonic energy that liquifies the fat. In both techniques, the fat is then removed through a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the end of the cannula.
The Recovery Process
Patients can typically go home right after the lipo procedure, though we recommend arranging for a friend or family member to drive them home. Moderate swelling, bruising, and fluid accumulation are normal immediately following surgery and can persist for weeks. Dr. Rottler will instruct you on how to use compression garments to minimize swelling and promote proper healing during recovery.
As a general timeline, Dr. Rottler suggests that patients wait one to two weeks before returning to work (depending on the nature of the patient’s profession), wait two or more weeks before engaging in more strenuous activities, and wear post-operative compression garments for four to six weeks.
Benefits of Liposuction
- Removes stubborn fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise
- Enhances body contours
- Provides long-lasting results when combined with a healthy lifestyle
- Can be performed on multiple body areas
Best Experience Ever!
From scheduling my consultation appointment to the surgery date was by far the best experience ever. The Dr took the time to make sure I understood everything and answered all of my questions.
Breast Augmentation Patient
How Much Does Liposuction Cost?
The price of a liposuction procedure is impacted by the number of areas being treated, prescription medications, anesthesia and surgeon’s fees, post-surgery garments, medical tests, and facilities used. We also offer financing options through CareCredit and Alphaeon to make the cost of the procedure more manageable for all of our patients.
Liposuction FAQs
Contact Us to Learn More
If you’re interested in learning more about liposuction in St. Louis, Missouri, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul Rottler. During this meeting at his office, he will review your medical history, assess your candidacy, and create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your body contouring goals.
Related Blog Posts
Liposuction St. Louis
Liposuction is a procedure that allows stubborn fat that has been resistant to diet and exercise to be permanently removed. Most of us struggle with at… Read More
Mommy Makeover St. Louis
The Mommy Makeover is a coin termed for a grouping of procedures performed to rejuvenate the areas of the body most impacted by… Read More
Breast Implant Options St. Louis
Breast Implants come in two types: Saline Implants or Silicone Implants. Which is best? Well, that depends … Read More
