Understanding the Surface Anatomy of Lips I have had hundreds of lip enhancement consultations over the years and I’d like to talk about the surface anatomy of the lip so that you can better communicate with your doctor about the things that you might want to change, or that you’re not satisfied with. Lip enhancements, whether through implants, lifts, or fillers, are about harmonizing the procedures with your unique features. It’s not just about knowing what you want, or what bothers you; it’s about effective communication to help you achieve the aesthetic you envision. When we don’t know the ..read more

Facial rejuvenation procedures have come a long way in the past few decades, offering individuals a range of options to reverse the effects of aging and restore a more youthful appearance. The majority of patients can achieve a fantastic youthful result with just component facial procedures, as opposed to a full-blown facelift. You can now achieve a refreshed appearance with just 1-2 weeks of downtime, or just 1 day with most injectables. Before facial rejuvenation, the surgical plan, and her after fat grafting and lip lift photos. Facelifts: Not your mother’s facelift In previous generations ..read more

The short answer is that it depends on what method was used to do your liposuction. Patients are constantly asking me this question and they always seem surprised when I tell them that my liposuction technique does not require post-operative massages. There are some liposuction techniques that really do benefit from massage therapy (often referred to as a lymphatic massage, MLD, or manual lymphatic drainage massage). On the other hand, small cannula liposuction techniques do not need massage therapy to get the desired results. Let me go into more detail to explain why massage ..read more

this patient in her 50’s had a body lift to remove excess skin from her midsection The Lower body lift procedure removes excess skin from the entire lower part of the body (stomach, hips and buttocks) and it is an ideal choice for patients who have experienced massive weight loss. However, even patients who have not had WLS are candidates for the body lift procedure. If you have loose hanging skin around your entire midsection, you are likely a candidate for this procedure. As with any surgery, the body lift comes with possible complications and potential revisions as it lifts and tighte ..read more

Lip Lift Ricardo L Rodriguez MD A Lip lift is a plastic surgery procedure that shortens the distance between the top border of the upper lip and the bottom (base) of the nose. It creates a fuller, younger looking top lip by increasing the amount of “pink lip” and better exposing teeth when smiling and speaking. The Lip lift will result in a more pleasing appearance to the face. Look at the ‘before and after’ photo above and you can see that the patient has a more youthful and pleasant expression following the surgery. A lip lift can indeed even transform your overall expression. The k ..read more

There is growing evidence that the Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is the cosmetic surgery procedure with the highest incidence of death. This has set off alarm bells among board certified Plastic Surgeons. These deaths are primarily occurring due to Pulmonary Fat Embolisms (PFE). I have been performing this procedure safely for 15 years and the new data emerging about the increased mortality rates is disturbing. I have been studying the issue closely and will do my best to explain what I see happening, and also discuss ways to increase patient safety. I believe the recent mortalities with this p ..read more

Your BMI, or Body Mass Index, plays a big role in surgical complication risk assessment. All cosmetic surgery patients should have a BMI assessment prior to surgery. High BMI’s create higher surgical risks. BMI’s > 35 create increased surgical risk Since cosmetic surgery is optional, you should plan your elective surgery so that you limit as many surgical risks as possible. BMI is definitely one of the risks you can control and your BMI should be at an acceptable level before considering surgery. If your BMI is greater than 35, you have an increased risk of surgical complications ..read more

Baltimore plastic surgeon among top influencers in cosmetic medicine BALTIMORE, April 3, 2017 –- Local physician, Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, is one of 500 doctors worldwide to receive the RealSelf 500 Award, a prestigious award honoring the top influencers on RealSelf—the most trusted online destination to get informed about elective cosmetic procedures and to find and connect with doctors and clinics. In 2016, more than 82 million people visited RealSelf to research cosmetic treatments and connect with local medical professionals. The RealSelf 500 Award honors the top rated and most eng ..read more

As some of you who read this blog regularly already know, I am a huge proponent of fat grafting and the therapeutic applications of adipose stem cells. Ever since 2009 I have been writing about the regenerative properties of fat grafts and stem cells. After joining IFATS, the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science, an organization devoted to the study of adipose tissue, I have become increasingly more involved. In 2013 I was awarded a Maryland Stem Cell Grant to study the use of adipose stem cells to heal breast tissue damaged by radiation. Last year I was elected ..read more

Laser resurfacing is a procedure which is aimed at rejuvenating the face. It works by injuring the top layers of your skin, the epidermis, causing a signal which promotes regeneration of new skin at the top layer of the skin. Why do some people experience facial fat loss after laser resurfacing? While laser skin resurfacing is an effective method for prompting fresher, more youthful facial glow, there are some risks that take place at various layers in the skin which can cause fat volume loss. Because of this fact, I rarely, if ever, use laser resurfacing for facial rejuvenation ..read more