


Liposuction in Rockford, IL
While diet and exercise are great tools for losing weight, many people find that stubborn fat in problem areas prevents them from fully achieving their aesthetic goals. Liposuction is a surgical solution for removing unwanted fat cells. Rockford plastic surgeon Dr. Pedro Rodriguez performs liposuction to help his patients improve the contours of their body.
Dr. Rodriguez stresses to prospective patients that liposuction is not a weight-loss surgery. It works best on patients who first commit to a healthy lifestyle and reach a plateau in their weight loss journey.


The Pedro Rodriguez Difference
Dr. Pedro Rodriguez is an elite plastic surgeon who performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He specializes in breast, body and face procedures. Merging advanced techniques with his keen eye, he produces transformative results for his patients that are both attractive and natural-looking.
Patients in Rockford choose Dr. Rodriguez because of his outstanding surgical skills and attentive care. Through decades of experience, he understands precisely how to rejuvenate the face and achieve appealing breast and body contours. He takes pleasure in helping his patients build confidence by reaching their aesthetic goals.

Candidates for Liposuction
Ideal candidates for liposuction are non-smokers who are in good enough health to undergo an elective surgery. They are close to their goal weight but have lingering pockets of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise efforts.
Patients who have elastic skin tend to see better results because the skin retracts to fit the new, slimmer contours after liposuction. Depending on the condition of a patient’s skin, Dr. Rodriguez may recommend combining liposuction with a lift procedure to remove the excess skin to best achieve appealing contours.
Liposuction Treatment Areas
Liposuction can be performed on many parts of the body where fat accumulates. Areas where Dr. Rodriguez frequently performs liposuction include:
- Abdomen
- Thighs
- Back
- Upper Arms
- Flanks
- Knees
- Calves and ankles
- Buttocks
Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure that Dr. Rodriguez typically completes in about one to three hours, depending on the size and number of areas being treated. He makes incisions in the treatment areas so that he can insert a cannula (hollow tube) beneath the skin. These incisions are small enough that they do not typically require suturing afterward. Dr. Rodriguez uses this cannula to loosen and break up the fat. Once the fat is dislodged, he suctions out the unwanted fat cells.
Liposuction Recovery and Results
Patients should focus on rest and relaxation after returning home from their surgery. Lingering discomfort from liposuction can be managed with pain medication. Patients often feel well enough to return to a sedentary job within a few days and more laborious work after a couple weeks. Rigorous exercise should be postponed until Dr. Rodriguez provides his approval.
While the treated area looks noticeably trimmer immediately after surgery, swelling must subside in the coming weeks before the full results may be appreciated. Fat cells that are removed with liposuction are removed permanently from the body. Results last as long as the patient maintains his or her current weight. A significant fluctuation in weight can affect the nicer contours achieved with this surgery.
Liposuction Cost Factors and Price
Liposuction permanently removes unwanted fat to improve your body contour. The cost of liposuction depends on the number of treated areas and other factors that change based on your location, the surgeon’s experience level, and
hospital-related expenses.
Any surgeon can perform plastic surgery, but surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) undergo additional training, exams, and continued education classes. Well-trained and qualified surgeons will cost more than inexperienced ones. Dr. Pedro Rodriguez is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in face and body procedures. He is an associate professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, where he teaches future surgeons.
The cost of liposuction also involves surgical fees, including medical testing, anesthesia, operating room costs, and other expenditures, such as post-surgical compression garments and prescriptions. Dr. Rodriguez offers patient financing to help patients reach their ideal body shape with liposuction. He partners with Alphaeon Credit, LendingUSA, CareCredit, and PatientFi. Our office will provide a detailed cost estimate after your liposuction consultation.
Liposuction FAQ’s
Can I combine liposuction with other body procedures?
Liposuction is a versatile procedure often combined with other surgeries, such as tummy tuck, Brazilian butt lift, and body lift. Mommy makeover is a combination surgery that typically includes liposuction, tummy tuck, and breast surgery. People with unwanted fat and loose skin tissue often want to remove the excess skin with tummy tuck or body lift, which removes tissue from the abdomen, hips, and lower back. Brazilian butt lift repurposes the removed fat cells to increase and reshape the buttocks. During your consultation, Dr. Rodriguez can help you decide if combining liposuction with another procedure is best for your cosmetic goals.
What is Lipo 360?
Lipo 360 is the term used when liposuction is used to remove stubborn fat from the entire midsection or 360 degrees around the torso. This comprehensive approach includes the upper and lower abdomen, mid- and lower back, obliques, and bra area.
How much weight will I lose with liposuction?
Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery. The focus of the procedure is not to lose weight but to sculpt the body. How many pounds or liters are removed depends on the treated area — for example, upper arm liposuction removes less fat than abdominal or thigh liposuction. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved liposuction to remove up to 11 pounds (or five liters) of fat, but the average amount of fat removal is between six and eight pounds or three to four liters.
What kind of anesthesia will I need for liposuction?
Anesthesia for liposuction may be a local anesthetic, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. Which method is used for your procedure depends on the treatment location, amount of fat removal, your comfort level, and other factors.
How long does liposuction surgery take?
The liposuction procedure may take one to two hours or longer. Removing fat from several body areas at once or combining liposuction with another body procedure will lengthen the surgical time.
Do I need liposuction and tummy tuck or a lift procedure?
Liposuction removes fat and won’t address loose skin. If you have sagging skin in your abdomen, then liposuction may worsen the appearance of your midsection. In that case, adding tummy tuck to liposuction may be necessary for the best results. If you have good skin elasticity, liposuction alone may work to achieve your cosmetic goals. Dr. Rodriguez will evaluate your abdominal area and recommend a surgical approach to reach your ideal body shape.

Discuss Liposuction with an Expert Surgeon
Throughout his career, Dr. Rodriguez has developed a keen eye and strong surgical skills for improving body contours. Liposuction is one of the most reliable ways to eliminate stubborn fat. During a private consultation, he fully explains the procedure and sets reasonable expectations of what liposuction can achieve for that specific individual. If additional surgery or diet may be necessary to accomplish the patient’s dream contours, Dr. Rodriguez makes that clear.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rodriguez in Rockford, IL, please contact his office today.












