"New does not mean good."
Interview with Dr. med. Sonja Sattler, Managing Director of Rosenparkklinik GmbH
Rosenparkklinik GmbH in Darmstadt is a specialized clinic for aesthetic surgical dermatology and one of the foremost addresses for minimally invasive facial rejuvenation, liposuction, and plastic surgery in Germany. Managing Director Dr. med. Sonja Sattler spoke with Wirtschaftsforum about the benefits of safe treatment methods, the importance of research and quality in aesthetic medicine, and why there is an urgent need for regulated training in this field.
Wirtschaftsforum: Dr. Sattler, what does the Rosenpark Clinic specialize in?
Dr. med. Sonja Sattler: Three areas are our focus: minimally invasive facial rejuvenation, plastic surgery, and liposuction. The latter, in particular, is something special at our clinic. We use a method in tumescent local anesthesia that does not require general anesthesia and offers maximum safety to the patient. It is not uncommon for someone who has had five or six liters of fat removed to walk through our garden right after the procedure. The next day, patients are already going home. That's something a clinic has to match.
Wirtschaftsforum: How does your method specifically differ from others?
Dr. med. Sonja Sattler: It is more time-consuming, but significantly gentler. We take the time it needs. Quality and safety take precedence over efficiency. This is also the reason why we have successfully performed around 40,000 liposuctions in the last 28 years, without serious complications. This success rate speaks for itself. My husband has perfected this method down to the last detail.
Wirtschaftsforum: You yourself have a different focus: facial rejuvenation.
Dr. med. Sonja Sattler: Exactly. I see myself as a family doctor for aesthetics. I have accompanied many of my patients over decades. For me, it was always important that people remain true to their own selves and not look alienated.
This is where our research proves advantageous. I know exactly which products are good in the long term, which do not cause reactions, and which we better not use. By the way, we also share this knowledge with colleagues.
Wirtschaftsforum: Speaking of research – how important is this area for your clinic?
Dr. med. Sonja Sattler: Extremely important. Research and treatment are closely intertwined at our clinic. We are very well connected throughout Germany and have established our own scientific center, Rosenpark Research GmbH. There, among other things, we conduct clinical trials for drug approvals – especially in the fields of dermatology and aesthetics. This combination of daily practice and research is a unique feature of Rosenpark Clinic.
Wirtschaftsforum: You are very committed to teaching in aesthetic medicine. Why?
Dr. med. Sonja Sattler: Because there is practically no regulated training for it in Germany. Aesthetic medicine is not covered in medical studies or in specialist medical training. This is a structural problem. At the same time, Germany is one of the least regulated markets worldwide. There are people who offer aesthetic treatments via the quick route of homeopathy without any medical training. They then also have the permission to administer injections. This is not only negligent but also dangerous. A bad injection can lead to blindness. We urgently need clear standards and legal regulations here. Also, minimally invasive devices should only be allowed to be used by doctors. This is the case in other countries, for example in Asia. There the market is much more regulated.
Wirtschaftsforum: You are not only a physician but also an entrepreneur. How do you see the role of digitalization?
Dr. med. Sonja Sattler: Digitalization is not new to us. We have been paperless since 2012. I find the use of artificial intelligence in diagnostics particularly exciting. We are part of a start-up that has developed an AI that can analyze the face and calculate a so-called Facial Aesthetic Index – similar to the BMI. This allows treatment processes to be objectively evaluated and optimized. This has great potential for the future. Even if it is otherwise said that Germany is lagging behind in digitalization – in this area, we are at the forefront and even better than the Chinese.
Wirtschaftsforum: You have been in business for a long time. What motivates you after all these years?
Dr. med. Sonja Sattler: That's true, I founded the company in 1996 together with my husband. At that time, I was 28 years old, my now deceased husband was 13 years older. We started small, but from the beginning, we had a very high standard of quality. Even today, the satisfied patient is my top priority. I love my work because it is meaningful and because it helps people feel good. Additionally, I am curious. I test new products in research to use them for the benefit of our patients and to improve — but only if I am really convinced of them. New does not automatically mean good. We do not use anything that has not been tested, even if it is currently being hyped on Instagram.
Wirtschaftsforum: What do you wish for the future?
Dr. med. Sonja Sattler: I wish for genuine recognition of aesthetic medicine as part of medical treatment and recognition of what we do for people who feel better through our treatments. Our field should be recognized as its own specialty, or at least be integrated into another specialty. We are often not taken seriously within the medical community. That's why nobody really wants to take care of the topic. But we need solid training, more regulation, and more transparency for patients. And of course, I hope that we continue to deliver the highest quality every day at the Rosenpark Clinic without ever losing sight of the human aspect.