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Sarah Mess, MD profile

Sarah Mess, MD

VERIFIED
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
9821 Broken Land Pkwy., Ste. 102, Columbia, Maryland
(410) 983-3719
Website
4.6 | 48 Reviews
257 Questions Answered
AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Post-Pregnancy Procedures

190 Photos20 Reviews155 Q&A0 Offers
BEFORE
AFTER

Breast Surgery

149 Photos18 Reviews141 Q&A0 Offers
BEFORE
AFTER

Skin Tightening

143 Photos9 Reviews54 Q&A0 Offers
BEFORE
AFTER
MEET SARAH MESS, MD
🩺20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Dr. Sarah Mess is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Columbia, Maryland, offering a range of cosmetic procedures for face and body.

Sarah Mess, MD VIDEOS

Before and After Photos

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Congratulations on your weigh loss journey! We have Emsculpt Neo (and Emsculpt before that) as well as Coolsculpting. Both modalities can help with body contouring and are effective for various body types, but I question if either is right for you. Emsculpt will improve muscle tone and may provide some skin retraction. It will likely make you feel stronger and may help keep you motivated. I'm not sure it's going to address your "apron". If you are open to surgical options, a tummy tuck would likely give you the best results.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews
Insurance companies have a list of requirements that have to be met for a "medically necessary" breast reduction. They can, and do, deny claims even when the minimum grams are met. While the minimum gram reduction is typically 500, some plans require resections of 1000 grams or more to meet the minimum requirements. We moved to cosmetic only breast reduction years ago, so we could provide functional and aesthetic results. I've attached a link to a blog post I wrote years ago on the subject including the patient photos showing a 500ish reduction. While 500 or 600 is absolutely the right number for many breast reduction patients, it's going to deliver smaller than optimal breasts for others. Your doctor may not be able to satisfy both your requests. Do you have enough breast tissue to take off 500 or more grams and still be a D cup? Many patients, like the one in the blog post, do not. Wishing you the best results regardless of your decision.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews
The short answer is yes. Yes you can achieve an aesthetic improvement in shape and size with fat transfer alone, and yes, combining it with a lift and areola reduction will likely improve the results over fat transfer alone. You may need more than one transfer to get the best results. You will not look like you have implants. Most patients take a week off of work. Hope this helps.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews

Do I need a breast lift? (Photo)

Asked By:AnonymousANSWERS (1)
For some patients a lift is really required to achieve aesthetic results (or their desired results). Others clearly don't need a lift, and there's obviously a group that are boarder line. The need for a lift in this patient group is more subjective. Based on your photos and comments (bigger instead of say higher or perkier or full upper pole, etc) i think you will be able to achieve your desired results without a lift. It's always better to see a patient in person, but lifts aren't for everyone. Get a second opinion or speak to your doctor about your concerns.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews
Hi, from your photos you look like you would be a good candidate for fat transfer or implants, and I agree you would benefit from a lift in conjunction with either. The most common harvest sites for fat transfer are abdomen or flanks, but thighs are good option as well. Hope this helps in your decision process.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews
Thank you for your question. I would encourage you to speak with both your surgeon and your insurance company to confirm the required grams. 500 grams per breast (1000 total) is more in line with what we typically see, but every plan is different. You will need to confirm the specifics with your plan. Once you determine grams, your surgeon should be able to give you a better idea of expected results.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews
Breast asymmetry is common (even after augmentation). There are definitely options to improve results. Maybe pocket revision, maybe two different size implants. It depends on what you want to achieve. In some of the photos your breasts appear relatively symmetric, and I would agree with your surgeon. They look good. Leave them alone. In other views the asymmetry is more evident. If you compare your current photos to your pre-op photos I suspect you will see similar differences in your breasts prior to surgery. Could the results be improved? Yes. If you aren't happy with your results you should absolutely seek another opinion, but make sure you communicate your concerns and understand the surgical plan your surgeon has in mind. Hope this helps.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews
I routinely use Fat Transfer for breast augmentation, and it provides excellent results. Based on your comments you sound like an excellent candidate. Just like the minimal lift procedure you mentioned, the best procedure for you will depend on your expectations and desired results. If you want very lifted breast with significant projection and upper pole fullness, then I would not recommend fat transfer (and I would likely recommend a more traditional lift). Implants do a marvelous job of delivering projection and upper pole fullness. If you are just looking to replace lost volume and are happy with a more natural breast shape, then I expect you will find fat transfer delivers better results than implants.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews
Hi, I routinely perform explant and fat transfer to breast in a single procedure. Fat transfer can also be staged and performed after explant, and fat transfer can be repeated for patients who want additional volume. There are some limitations, and there are risks as with any procedure, but if you are concerned with lost volume after explant I would recommend consulting with a surgeon who regularly performs fat transfer to breast.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews
Hi, fat transfer is wonderful procedure with lots of possibilities. Is it possible you can achieve a two cup size increase? It's possible, but it's not necessarily probable. The standard response for fat transfer is a 1 to 1.5 cup increase. I have patients who have achieved a greater cup size increase, but I would say the norm is more in the 1 to 1.5 range. If you are set on a certain size, and are not opposed to implants, silicone or saline implants have a wide range of sizes and shapes that can achieve your goal. It really depends on your priorities and whether or not you want to consider implants. If you want a two cup size increase, but are OK with a one cup size increase, then fat transfer may be a good option. Hope this helps.
provider-Sarah Mess, MD-photo

Sarah Mess, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 48 reviews

Sarah Mess, MD reviews

Sarah Mess, MD

RATING DETAILS

4.6
48 reviews

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10 Results
Botox

viki30h

Simply The Best.

Dr. Mess is so awesome! She is the best injector which is really hard to find. Super knowledgeable and knows exactly how to make you look beautiful and not over do it. She will answer all your questions and make sure you feel super comfortable.

Neck Lift

Original770043

Repeat Customers Are the True Sign of Excellence!

Repeat customers are a true sign of excellent skilled service. Dr. Mess is beyond amazing and I just finished my third procedure with her, I've been a patient of hers since 2013. Her skills are amazing and her wonderful personality and bedside manner are the best. She is super attention to detail, goes over every detail of your procedure and makes you feel super confident that you've made the best choice in having her handle your plastic surgery and cosmetics needs. I WON'T go anywhere else. Look no further for the best plastic surgeon in the Baltimore Metro area.

Facelift

JHCurley

I am glad I did it, and the results were a total success

I immediately felt totally comfortable meeting Dr. Mess and her entire team. Honestly it is a pleasure to go through the experience. I thought to myself relax cowboy, take it easy, you are in good hands. Everyone there is amazingly nice. The process, procedure, and follow-up visits are well communicated and coordinated. It is actually quite exciting to do something good for yourself. Perhaps I had both professional and personal goals for getting plastic surgery, never the less, I am glad I did it, and the results were a total success. I look and feel many years younger. Thank you, JC

Botox

shomemaker

BOTOX is a Miracle Worker. Keeps Me Looking Young!

Dr. Mess is definitely an Expert at Botox as well as so many other cosmetic procedures. I Had a Botox “lip flip” using Botox recently with Dr. Mess as well as Botox in forehead to lift brows. Subtle but noticeable improvements. Been having Botox injections for years (and a facelift) and look about 15 years younger than my real age (67). Thanks Dr. Mess!

$1,200Skin Rejuvenation

Irina54

Very Happy

Top ratings are fully justified. Excellent service, Leah is absolutely amazing. Not exactly close to home, but it is worth taking the trip to get things done. One more time, Leah is a great asset to this office, very knowledgeable. Thank you!

Lip Fillers

Straightforward123420

I couldn't be happier with my face now!

I originally went to get filler in my lips for the first time back in June. I met with Jillian and she took the time to answer all my questions (I ask A LOT) and explain everything in detail to me. I really just wanted something natural and but still a little drastic of a change. My lips turned out amazing! All of my friends are now trying to get them done and I can't stop looking at them.I have had really bad luck with spending a lot of money on cosmetic procedures in the past and something going wrong. So I am always really hesitant and need to know every detail before I put out money. But Jillian was so great that I went back to get filler in my cheeks and jawline to help with face sagging from weight loss. I didn't even get a consultation because I just trusted her with whatever would happen.Aside from Jillian, the place is very clean and professional, the lady at the front desk is always pleasant and nice and I never once felt pressured into spending more then I planned. I would highly recommend this place, especially Jillian for your filler and botox needs. She's amazing!

Breast Implant Removal

Apricot7532

Dr. Mess listens and never makes you feel rushed

Top notch as usual. Dr. Mess listens and never makes you feel rushed. She is an excellent surgeon and artist. Her staff is always friendly and welcoming, both on the phone and in office. My surgical and aesthetic procedures have all gone very smoothly, and I trust Dr. Mess's expertise. I highly recommend her!

$1,100Microneedling

shomemaker

Great Virtue Microneedling Experience, Age 66

Had a Virtue Micro-needle session last week on my face and neck. Only 1 treatment on each area but can already see a huge difference in the firmness of those areas. Booked another treatment for my crepey knees for next month. Really worked well for me. Highly recommend this treatment. Not painful in my experience. Updated on 4 Feb 2021: The P.A. Jillian who did the microneedling made a followup call to me at home to see how I was doing. Really appreciate Dr. Mess and her friendly staff. Jillian will be doing 2nd microneedling on my neck next month. So happy with results!

$23,000Mommy Makeover

Compassionate226831

Mommy Makeover with Explant

Impants in 2005 under muscle. Now, two kids and two c sections later with an abdominal hernia. The implants had become issues do to scars and just increased breast tissue from kids. I went from a c cup to an E cup. I am pretty athletic and no longer wanted this weight and ab issues. Consulted with Dr. Mess who was AMAZING and a perfectionist. Result was explant with maxoplexy (lift) and tummy tuck worh hernia repair. I feel incredible. I am now 6 days post and couldn't be happier. Whether I had undiagnosed implant fatigue or they just impeded me so much - now removed - I have so much more energy and that is after major surgery. I feel like I did in my 20s. And i trusted Dr. Mess as she told me I would be a full B to a C and maybe more and she was on point. Love her and her staff. I will post photos and some suggestions for prep and post. Good luck on your journey. Updated on 16 Apr 2021: Feeling great. I get slight swelling if I forget my belly band but otherwise feel like I got my body back after kids. Only problem is one aerole is slightly larger but doctor agreed to fix. I am teying to decide if I want to do that.

Labiaplasty

Kris22102

Glad I Did It

The whole experience was great. I really appreciated having all my questions answered and even scheduling this out-of-state surgery by email. It's so much easier than having to field a bunch of phone calls during a workday. Everyone on staff was caring and knowledgeable, the office is beautiful, and the cost was reasonable. I'm glad more woman are performing this procedure. It seems bizarre at times, but in the end I'm happy I did it!