35 After Weight Loss and Childbirth: Abdominoplasty, Liposuction, and Fat Transfer to Breasts - Columbia, MD

After having a child and significant weight loss, I was unhappy with the appearance of my stomach and breasts. Even to the point that I was uncomfortable naked in front of my husband. In the fall/winter of 2014, I decided to look into surgical options to improve the appearance of these areas. I thoroughly researched surgeons in my area online through realself.com and looked at the pros/cons, expected outcomes, risks, reviews, pictures, etc. After a lot of consideration, I narrowed my doctor search down to a few surgeons in my area.
The first doctor I visited was friendly, but I left feeling uneasy as there selling practices included “if you book that day, you would get a $ discount”. For such a big decision, thank you, but I would prefer to think about it. Their recommendations included a breast lift, implants, abdominoplasty, and liposuction to contour with abdominoplasty (at en extra charge). But, of course, this was my first surgeon visit, so I thought, perhaps I needed all this. Then I visited Dr. Mess. She suggested abdomonoplasty and fat transfer to the breasts as another option instead of implants (I was not looking for significantly larger breasts, but to fill them out as they had deflated from breast feeding). She explained all her suggestions and pros and cons to implants vs. fat transfer. Her abdominoplasty fees were more reasonable than the previous surgeon and included liposuction. As her assistant explained to me, Dr. Mess wants to give you the whole package with an abdominoplasty, and liposuction will give the best results to that package. I left feeling like Dr. Mess was there to help people, like me, feel better about themselves, and not just make profit. She has done lots of surgery on breast cancer patients. This reaffirmed to me that she went into this field for the right reasons. The pictures she presented online of her tummy tucks were nicely done, natural, and beautifully contoured….and accurate from my experience with her as well.
I made several follow-up appointments to ask questions. I spoke frequently with Justine in the office, who was always available to answer my questions pertaining to the surgeries I was considering. Last, prior to scheduling my appointment, I saw my primary care physician. I told her what I was considering having done and she asked who I was considering. Upon listening to my considerations, she immediately said she would go with Dr. Mess and reported that Dr. Mess's follow-up care was great from her experience with patients that have gone to her. I made several more appointments with Dr. Mess to ask follow-up questions. Appointments were always made within a very reasonable time frame and I never waited long. Dr. Mess and her staff, Justine and Renee, patiently answered my questions- and there we many. Each one of them was extremely knowledgeable, informative, and prompt. After all this, I finally decided I was ready to bite the bullet and go with Dr. Mess for abdominoplasty, lipsuction, and fat transfer to the breast.
The surgery went very smoothly. Doctor Mess took time to speak to me before and put me right at ease. Afterward, the follow-up care by her and her office was amazing. Dr. Mess was available by cell phone on the weekend and personally went to put in a prescription for me that could not be called in. Justine made my follow-up appointments promptly and was always friendly whenever I arrived to the office. Renee answered my questions related to follow-up care.
It has been 7 months now since surgery and I couldn't be more pleased with the results and the care I received before, during, and after the procedure.. I feel confident in myself now and would very highly recommend Dr. Mess to anyone without hesitation.