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Expert Body Contouring at Rottman Plastic Surgery
Dr. Steven J. Rottman is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with fellowship training in breast and aesthetic surgery at Georgetown University Hospital, serving Baltimore, Maryland and surrounding communities. Recognized by Baltimore Magazine as a Top Doctor for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery and Body Contouring from 2015 through 2023, and backed by over 300 five-star Google reviews, Dr. Rottman brings meticulous surgical technique and a genuinely personal approach to every procedure. To find out whether liposuction is right for you, contact Rottman Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation today.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical body contouring procedure that removes localized fat deposits that persist despite diet and exercise. Dr. Rottman makes small, strategically placed incisions and uses a slender tube called a cannula to break apart and suction out unwanted fat from beneath the skin. Treatable areas include the abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, upper arms, back, bra line, buttocks, and neck.
For patients already at or near their ideal weight, liposuction can address persistent pockets of fat that exercise cannot eliminate. Extracted fat can also be preserved for use in a fat transfer procedure, and liposuction is frequently combined with a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or other surgeries when patients want to tackle several concerns at once.
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View GalleryBenefits of Liposuction in Maryland
- Permanently removes fat cells from problem areas that resist diet and exercise
- Creates definition and proportion in areas where exercise alone falls short
- Can be performed as a standalone procedure or combined with other surgeries for broader body contouring results
- Small, discreet incisions leave minimal visible scarring once healed
- Suitable for both men and women across a wide range of body types
- Harvested fat can be preserved and used in a fat transfer procedure to add natural volume to the face, breasts, or buttocks
Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Good candidates for liposuction in Maryland are men and women who are at or near their ideal weight (generally a BMI of 32 or less), in good overall health, and bothered by specific pockets of fat that have not responded to diet or exercise. Liposuction does not address loose or sagging skin, so patients with significant skin laxity may benefit from pairing the procedure with a tummy tuck or body lift. Patients who are still actively losing weight should wait until their weight has been stable for several months before scheduling surgery.
Why Choose Dr. Rottman for Liposuction?
Few surgeons in the Baltimore region bring Dr. Rottman's level of preparation to the operating room. He holds dual board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and completed a fellowship in breast and aesthetic plastic surgery at Georgetown University Hospital under internationally recognized leaders in the field. His approach to liposuction focuses on minimizing tissue trauma and delivering results that look naturally proportionate and never overdone. Over 300 five-star Google reviews and thousands of procedures performed reflect a practice where honest guidance drives every recommendation.
Your Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Rottman will evaluate your target areas, assess skin quality and fat distribution, and establish realistic expectations based on your anatomy and goals. He'll explain which liposuction technique best suits your case, outline the preparation steps required before surgery, and address any questions about combining liposuction with other procedures. If blood work or input from your primary care physician is needed to confirm candidacy, Dr. Rottman's team will coordinate that before your surgical date.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of liposuction at Rottman Plastic Surgery depends on the treatment areas selected, the extent of fat removal, and whether the procedure is paired with additional surgeries. Pricing for liposuction of the abdomen, back, and flanks starts at $12,000; other area configurations are priced based on the scope of each patient's plan. Anesthesia and facility fees are separate. Financing is available through CareCredit® and Alphaeon Credit® for patients who prefer monthly payment options.
What to Expect During Your Liposuction Procedure
Before Surgery
In the days leading up to surgery, Dr. Rottman's team will provide preparation instructions specific to your procedure, which may include arranging blood work, adjusting medications, and coordinating with your primary care physician. You should also arrange a ride home, get any prescribed medications filled in advance, and have your home ready for a few days of rest. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing on the day of surgery is also recommended.
During the Procedure
Dr. Rottman makes small, discreet incisions at the treatment site and inserts a narrow cannula to break apart and remove fat from beneath the skin. Depending on the extent of the surgery, the procedure may be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. Specialized tumescent fluids may be introduced to reduce bleeding and manage swelling, and in some cases ultrasound or laser energy is used to loosen fat before extraction.
After the Procedure
Patients are fitted with a compression garment following liposuction in Baltimore, which should be worn as directed to control swelling and support the healing tissue as it conforms to the new contours. Mild swelling and fluid retention are normal in the early days after surgery. Most patients return to work within a few days to a week, depending on the scope of the procedure and whether it was performed alongside other treatments.
Liposuction Recovery
Noticeable changes in contour are often visible soon after surgery, though final results take time to emerge as swelling gradually resolves. Most patients see their full outcome around three months post-procedure. Bruising and swelling typically subside within a few weeks, and incision sites heal with minimal visible scarring.
Maintaining those results long term requires commitment to a healthy lifestyle. The fat cells removed during liposuction are permanently gone, but remaining fat cells can enlarge with weight gain, and any new volume tends to appear in untreated areas. Eating well and staying active is the most effective way to protect what surgery achieves.
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Contact UsLiposuction Results
The fat cells extracted during liposuction do not regenerate, meaning improvements to body contour are permanent as long as weight remains stable. For patients who maintain a healthy lifestyle, results can last many years or a lifetime. Significant weight gain can cause remaining fat cells to expand, and while treated areas tend to stay more refined than they would have been without the procedure, a consistent diet and exercise routine is the best way to hold on to what surgery accomplished.
Liposculpture
Liposculpture is a targeted form of liposuction focused on creating muscle definition. Where standard liposuction reduces overall fat volume, liposculpture removes fat in precise patterns around specific muscle groups to make the underlying structure appear more defined and pronounced. Because fat sits directly over muscle tissue, removing it selectively from areas like the abdomen, obliques, and chest can produce a visibly athletic contour that exercise alone typically cannot achieve. The technique is well-suited to patients who want their physique to reflect their training, and it can be performed on its own or combined with standard liposuction.
Related Body Contouring Procedures at Rottman Plastic Surgery
- Tummy Tuck: Removes excess abdominal skin and tightens weakened muscles to create a flatter, firmer midsection, often performed alongside liposuction when patients want to address fat, loose skin, and muscle laxity together.
- Brazilian Butt Lift: Uses liposuction-harvested fat to add fullness and shape to the buttocks, combining targeted slimming and natural-looking enhancement in a single procedure.
- Lower Body Lift: Addresses excess skin and laxity across the abdomen, hips, and thighs in patients for whom fat removal alone cannot restore a smooth, contoured shape.
- Arm Lift: Removes loose, sagging tissue from the upper arms to create a more toned and defined appearance.
- Fat Grafting: Repurposes fat harvested during liposuction to restore natural volume to the face, breasts, or buttocks.
Liposuction FAQ
What are the risks of liposuction?
Serious complications from liposuction are rare when the procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience. All surgery carries some degree of risk, and temporary effects may include bruising, swelling, numbness, and fluid retention. Less common concerns include infection, contour irregularities, changes in skin sensation, and reactions to anesthesia.
How much fat can be safely removed during a single procedure?
In an outpatient setting, the standard guideline limits fat removal to approximately four liters at one time. For patients having the procedure in a hospital with an overnight stay, a greater volume may be addressed safely. Liposuction is a sculpting tool, not a weight loss method, and patients who come in with that understanding tend to be the most satisfied with their results.
How long will I need to wear a compression garment?
The duration varies based on the treatment areas and the extent of the procedure. Compression garments are typically worn for several weeks following surgery to manage swelling and support the healing tissue. Dr. Rottman's post-operative instructions will provide a specific timeline tailored to your recovery.
How is liposuction different from a tummy tuck?
Liposuction removes unwanted fat through small incisions and has no effect on skin or underlying muscle. A tummy tuck is a more involved procedure that removes excess abdominal skin and repairs weakened muscle walls to produce a flatter, firmer midsection. Both are frequently performed together when a patient needs to address fat, skin laxity, and muscle separation in one surgery.
Is liposuction covered by health insurance?
Liposuction is an elective cosmetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance. Rottman Plastic Surgery works with CareCredit® and Alphaeon Credit® to help patients finance the cost of surgery with flexible monthly payment options.
How long until I can return to exercise?
Light activity can generally be resumed within a week or two of surgery. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and high-impact movement should be avoided for at least several weeks, with an exact timeline determined by the scope of the procedure and how recovery progresses. Returning to activity too quickly can compromise results and delay healing.
How does liposuction compare to non-surgical fat reduction treatments?
Non-surgical fat reduction treatments use cold, heat, or radiofrequency energy to gradually reduce fat over multiple sessions, with typically modest results. Surgical liposuction delivers more substantial improvements in a single treatment and allows for precise contouring across multiple areas at once. For patients with meaningful fat deposits and specific reshaping goals, surgery offers a level of precision that non-surgical options generally cannot match.
Can the same area be treated more than once with liposuction?
A secondary liposuction procedure in a previously treated area is possible in some cases, particularly when a patient wants to refine an earlier result or address new concerns in the same region. Repeat procedures do carry greater technical complexity.
A Q&A with Dr. Rottman
Liposuction - How long do the results of liposuction last?
The results of liposuction can last for 5–10 years or even a lifetime if you maintain a stable weight through exercise and proper nutrition. The fat cells that are removed during the procedure are permanently gone and cannot grow back. However, the remaining fat cells can increase in size if you gain weight, and new fat cells may also form. If you do gain weight, it's more likely to be in areas that weren't treated with liposuction, but there's no guarantee of where excess fat will accumulate.
Take the First Step Toward Your Best Silhouette
Rottman Plastic Surgery is a leading cosmetic and reconstructive center in Baltimore. Dr. Rottman is known by his patients for his caring and understanding manner, and his dedication to helping them achieve a more positive body image, as reflected in over 300 five-star Google reviews that speak to his exceptional care and results.
He has been named as a “Top Doctor” by Baltimore Magazine for Body Contouring, Cosmetic Surgery and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. You can trust in the exceptional skills of Dr. Rottman, and the care and talent with which he performs his body sculpting procedures.
Please contact us today to schedule your personal consultation for liposuction in Baltimore, MD with Dr. Rottman.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.