(314) 842−5885

10004 Kennerly Road, Suite 281 B, Saint Louis MO 63128
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Dr. Samer Cabbabe

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ABOUT DR. SAMER CABBABE

Dr. Samer Cabbabe is widely recognized as one of the most advanced and sought-after plastic surgeons in the world, specializing in transformative body contouring and complex aesthetic reconstruction. Based in St. Louis, he has built an international reputation for delivering elite-level results in patients requiring the highest degree of surgical precision, safety, and artistry.

With more than 15 years of experience and thousands of procedures performed, Dr. Cabbabe stands among the highest-volume body contouring surgeons globally. His expertise spans advanced skin removal after massive weight loss, mommy makeovers, breast implant surgery, high-definition liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), and complex revision procedures that many surgeons are not equipped to perform.

What truly distinguishes Dr. Cabbabe is his relentless pursuit of perfection. Every procedure is approached with a meticulous, detail-driven philosophy where no variable is overlooked. His signature drainless techniques for lower and upper body lifts have redefined patient recovery and safety, allowing for smoother healing and more predictable, refined outcomes.

Patients from across the United States and around the world travel to St. Louis specifically for Dr. Cabbabe’s care. They come not only for his technical mastery, but for the confidence that they are placing themselves in the hands of a surgeon whose complication rates are among the lowest reported in modern body contouring.

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Cabbabe is a published pioneer and global educator. He has authored landmark, first-of-their-kind peer-reviewed studies on drainless body contouring techniques with impeccable patient safety results —setting new international benchmarks for both outcomes and patient protection.

As a highly sought-after international lecturer, he is regularly invited to speak at major plastic surgery conferences worldwide, where he educates other surgeons on advanced techniques, safety protocols, and surgical innovation.

Through his Cabbabe International Breast and Body Contouring Mentorship Program, surgeons from around the globe travel to St. Louis to observe and learn directly from him—further solidifying his position as a global authority in modern plastic surgery.

Despite his global recognition, Dr. Cabbabe remains deeply committed to each individual patient. From the initial consultation through every stage of recovery, he is personally involved—ensuring a level of care, attention, and trust that is rarely experienced in today’s medical landscape.

SOCIAL MEDIA & GLOBAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY

In today’s digital world, true leaders don’t just operate—they educate, influence, and elevate the entire industry 📲✨

Dr. Samer Cabbabe has built a powerful global presence across social media platforms, where he shares real patient journeys, advanced surgical insights, and transparent education that empowers patients to make informed decisions.

His content goes far beyond traditional marketing. It is a direct extension of his practice philosophy—focused on honesty, safety, and setting realistic expectations while showcasing world-class results.

Through his platforms, patients gain rare, behind-the-scenes access to:

  • Real surgical transformations
  • Detailed explanations of advanced procedures
  • Recovery journeys and patient experiences
  • Expert commentary on safety, technique, and outcomes

This level of accessibility and transparency has positioned Dr. Cabbabe as not only a surgeon, but a trusted global voice in aesthetic medicine.

Follow Dr. Cabbabe:

Instagram: @DrSamerCabbabe
YouTube: @DrSamerCabbabe
TikTok: @DrSamerCabbabe

Previous and Current Training & Honors

  • Native of St. Louis, trained at the nation’s top institutions, including Emory University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and earned all of the highest honors

  • Scored in the top 2% nationwide on the oral Plastic Surgery Board Examination

  • Dual board certification after seven rigorous years of surgical training

    • Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgery (current)

    • Former Diplomate, American Board of Surgery (certification held until 2018)

  • Chief of Plastic Surgery, Mercy South Medical Center (2014–2025)

  • Previous President, Missouri Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

  • Previous President, Saint Louis Metropolitan Medical Society

  • Former Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS)

  • Top Plastic Surgeon – Newsweek

  • Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

  • Member, The Aesthetic Society (ASAPS)

  • Member, Southeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons

  • Member, Saint Louis Plastic Surgery Society

  • Member, International Society of Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS)

  • Repeatedly honored in St. Louis Magazine’s annual “Best Doctors in St. Louis” list

  • Published multiple papers in the most prestigious journals in plastic surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do patients travel from around the world to see Dr. Cabbabe?

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Many patients travel from across the United States and around the world specifically for Dr. Cabbabe’s expertise in complex body contouring, massive weight loss surgery, and revision surgery. Many traveling patients have had previous surgery elsewhere and are seeking improvement, while others travel to ensure their surgery is performed correctly the first time.

What makes Dr. Cabbabe different from other plastic surgeons?

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Dr. Cabbabe does not recommend procedures that he does not believe will benefit the patient. Each patient is personally and carefully evaluated by Dr. Cabbabe using a 360-degree approach to overall body shape, balance, and proportion and is given recommendations and options based on their anatomy, goals, and expectations so they can make an informed decision about what procedures are right for them. As a revision expert, he focuses on providing long-term solutions and will often make recommendations designed to improve long-term results and help prevent the need for future revision surgery.

Can multiple procedures be safely combined into one surgery?

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In many cases, yes. Dr. Cabbabe specializes in combining multiple procedures safely when appropriate, particularly for massive weight loss patients who often require surgery on multiple areas of the body. The goal is to improve as many areas as safely possible while minimizing the total number of surgeries and recovery periods. Many patients are able to complete their full body transformation in two staged surgeries using carefully planned combination procedures.

Does Dr. Cabbabe see patients personally for consultations and follow-ups?

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Yes. Patients see Dr. Cabbabe personally for their consultation, surgical planning, surgery, and follow-up care.

Why are lower body lifts and complex body contouring not commonly performed by most plastic surgeons?

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These are among the most technically demanding procedures in plastic surgery. They require longer operative times, advanced training, significant experience, and a specialized team. For this reason, many surgeons do not perform them frequently, while Dr. Cabbabe performs these procedures on a regular basis.

How many surgeries does Dr. Cabbabe perform each year?

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Dr. Cabbabe performs hundreds of complex or advanced body contouring, revision, and breast implant surgeries each year, many of which are combination procedures. Over the course of his career, he has performed thousands of breast and body contouring procedures. Surgical experience and volume are particularly important in complex procedures where safety and outcomes depend heavily on surgical judgment and technique.

Why are drainless techniques important?

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Drainless techniques are designed to reduce complications, improve comfort, and speed recovery. By using progressive tension sutures and lymphatic-sparing techniques, fluid buildup is minimized without the need for drains, while also improving contour and scar quality. Dr. Cabbabe published a landmark study on drainless body contouring techniques demonstrating lower complication rates compared to traditional techniques that use drains, helping modernize the way body contouring surgery is performed.

What is Dr. Cabbabe’s philosophy on scar placement?

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Scar placement is one of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of body contouring surgery. Dr. Cabbabe carefully designs scar placement so that scars are low, hidden in natural clothing lines, and positioned to improve body shape rather than simply remove skin.

Does Dr. Cabbabe specialize in high-BMI or massive weight loss patients, and is there a BMI requirement for surgery?

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Yes. A significant portion of Dr. Cabbabe’s practice focuses on patients after major weight loss, including higher-BMI patients and those requiring complex or staged procedures. These cases require specialized surgical planning, advanced techniques, and careful attention to safety. For safety and results, Dr. Cabbabe requires patients to have a BMI under 33 for elective body contouring surgery. Patients with higher BMI often have a smaller percentage of their body improved with surgery due to safety limits on how much tissue can be removed, which can lead to dissatisfaction if expectations are unrealistic. The ideal BMI range for body contouring results is typically between 25 and 28.

Where are surgeries performed?

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Dr. Cabbabe performs surgery in accredited hospitals and has privileges at major hospitals with full operating room staff and overnight capabilities when appropriate. This hospital-based setting is an important part of maintaining safety, particularly for longer or more complex procedures.

Do patients need to travel to St. Louis for multiple visits?

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Not always. Many patients travel from out of state or internationally and are able to complete consultations virtually. Pre-operative planning and many follow-up visits can often be done remotely, although patients must remain in St. Louis for a short period after surgery for recovery and monitoring.

Does Dr. Cabbabe perform the entire surgery?

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Dr. Cabbabe performs all critical parts of every surgery himself. He works with a highly trained surgical team that assists him in the operating room, which is necessary for longer and more complex procedures, but the surgery itself is performed by Dr. Cabbabe.

What procedures is Dr. Cabbabe known for?

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What if I have a complication?

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Complications are uncommon, but as with any surgery they can occur. If a complication does occur, Dr. Cabbabe and his team address it as quickly as possible rather than allowing problems to linger or worsen. Our office works with patients to help minimize any costs associated with complications whenever possible. In addition, most patients receive cosmetic surgery insurance coverage for the first 30 days after surgery, but patients should verify this coverage prior to surgery.

Why is it important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon?

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Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery means the surgeon has completed accredited training specifically in plastic and reconstructive surgery and has passed rigorous written and oral examinations. This is important for patient safety and ensures the surgeon has formal training in both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
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