At Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland, we only use breast implants manufactured by Mentor or Allergan, both U.S. organizations with excellent safety records. Check out our very own Dr. Michael Cohen, medical director, discuss breast implant safety on WBAL TV.

Follow this link to check out the interview!

http://www.wbaltv.com/video/30242707/detail.html

Dr. Cohen was one of six Baltimore plastic surgeons selected in his category from a large field of over 100 plastic surgeons who serve the greater Baltimore metropolitan region. To find the winners, the magazine did not just pick names out of a hat, nor did they ask a small panel of experts to decide. The magazine approached the problem scientifically.

They surveyed more than 6,500 area physicians, asking to whom they would send their own family members for specialty medical care. According to the magazine, “the survey revealed clear winners.”

Regarded as one of the leading plastic surgeons not just in Baltimore but in the nation, Dr. Cohen has over 20 years of successful surgical experience. He has performed thousands of procedures that have created beautiful, natural-looking results that his patients love.

As a surgeon, Dr. Cohen’s technical and artistic skills are remarkable, but it is also his empathy and respect for his patients that helped Dr. Cohen to be voted as one of Baltimore’s top cosmetic plastic surgeons. As he would tell you himself, his career is about patient care and service as much as surgery. Dr. Cohen listens patiently while his patients open up about their desires, and then he shares his knowledge with them in a way that gives them confidence that they can, finally, achieve their goals.

Of course, Dr. Cohen has earned other accolades as well. He has been designated a LEAD breast augmentation plastic surgeon in the United States through the LEAD (Leadership, Experience, and Development in Breast Augmentation) program sponsored by Mentor Corporation, the worldwide leader in breast implant technology. As a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), he is among a select group of highly trained, board certified plastic surgeons. In addition, Dr. Cohen is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

While Dr. Cohen’s professional training and experience is impressive, it is his compassionate approach to his patients that further distinguishes him from the field. We are proud of Dr. Cohen’s latest recognition. When you are ready for a consultation with one of the most trusted plastic surgeons in the business, contact us.

You may want to go up several sizes to get a fabulous curvy look. If sagging is an issue, you may need moderate implants and a lift to get the look you want. Our Baltimore plastic surgeons will help you with your breast sizing questions to make sure your body looks proportionate and achieves your goal.

Breast Augmentation

Breast implants are available in a number of shapes and profiles, so you can choose the look you want—from subtle to “bombshell.” Moderate implants provide a more conservative look and are perfect for women who want an increase in size without garnering too much attention. For women who want impressive cleavage, high profile implants provide fuller upper breasts.

To provide pleasing Maryland breast enlargement surgery results, our Baltimore plastic surgeons listen carefully to your desires.

Breast Lift

If your once beautiful breasts now droop or sag, a breast augmentation plus a lift can help. Life changes—such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, and aging—often affect your breasts for the worse. If the skin around your breasts has lost its youthful elasticity, a breast lift can help you get the silhouette you’re looking for.

A Baltimore breast lift removes excess skin and lifts the nipples, so your breasts appear higher and firmer. A breast lift alone will not significantly change your breast size, but placing breast implants during the same surgery provides the desired boost in size.

What Size is Right for You?

Breast implants are measured in cubic centimeters (cc). They range in size from 120–850cc, but the most commonly used implants range from 300–500cc.

Whether you want to subtly counteract the effects of age, pregnancy, or weight loss on your breasts, or simply enhance your look—there are a variety of breast implant styles and sizes to meet your needs. Your body shape and size are important factors. The 500cc implants that look great on your friend, for example, could be all wrong for you because oversize implants can overwhelm a petite frame. On the other hand, a broad-shouldered woman may need larger implants than she thinks.

Some of the important factors to consider are your breasts’ width, chest width, shoulder width, height, weight, and skin elasticity, as well as where your breasts are positioned on your chest. An experienced plastic surgeon will properly assess your body proportions to help determine which implant size will best achieve your desired appearance.

Making the Decision

Find photos of women whose breasts are the shape and size you’d like to have. Describe the look you want during your free consultation. Your plastic surgeon can recommend an appropriate implant size and shape for your body.

Be sure to discuss lifestyle factors with your surgeon; if you love sports, for example, smaller breast implants might be more physically comfortable. You can try on implant sizers while visiting our Maryland plastic surgery center to see what size may ultimately be the best for you.

With an experienced plastic surgeon’s advice and the help of a sizing session, you’ll be able to make an educated sizing choice before your breast augmentation surgery.

Summary of Points to Consider:

• Your body shape and size
• The current condition of your breasts
• Your lifestyle
• Desired results

We were truly thrilled to participate in support of Suited to Succeed – a foundation created to empower Baltimore area women in their efforts to transition from training programs and unemployment to self-sufficiency by providing free professional clothing and workshops.

For those considering plastic surgery at the Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland, Dr. Cohen has provided some answers to frequently-asked questions that many patients ask. He also shared his thoughts and perspectives based on two decades of experience in the cosmetic surgery field.

His techniques…

I have worked all over the country, from Massachusetts to Louisiana to California and back to my native Maryland.  Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to hone my craft under the direction of some of the best plastic surgeons in the United States and around the world. I continue to collaborate with, and learn from, colleagues and peers. I am honored to have been selected, for the past 5 consecutive years, as a LEAD surgeon in Mentor’s LEAD program:  Leadership, Experience and Development in Breast Augmentation.  This is a collaborative program developed to identify best-practices from leading plastic surgeons around the country.

Questions patients should ABSOLUTELY ask during a consultation…

When interviewing potential cosmetic surgeons, patients should seek detailed information regarding the surgeon’s training and experience.

Training isn’t necessarily about which universities surgeons attended (although, it is important to know that), but more about their specialty. Patients should want to know what makes the doctor they are speaking with different from others – did the surgeon spend a lot of time studying, and training in, the specific procedure you are seeking?

Experience can also have varying degrees of meaning. For example, there can be some confusion as to what it means to be Board Certified vs. Board Eligible. Board Certified is a title reserved for more reputable doctors that have demonstrated their expertise in the field of plastic surgery and have been certified by the American Plastic Surgery Society (ASPS). Board Eligible typically refers to a doctor who, while having a medical degree, has not yet been approved by the ASPS.

Additionally, patients should also request to see photographs of previous work, paying specific attention to quality. Photographs can usually be found on a surgeon’s website; including both before and after images.

Finally, some doctors have certain tendencies or biases regarding certain procedures. It’s important to ask your doctor about these during your initial consultation to ensure that you achieve your desired results. For example, all Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland doctors base their recommendations on achieving natural-looking, proportionate and beautiful results. We take pride in this because not all surgeons strive to achieve the same level of quality.

Technology and techniques are evolving…

Changes in technology and techniques have allowed for less invasive surgeries, faster recovery times, and more natural results with increased longevity.

One segment of plastic surgery which has been quickly evolving is the anti-aging/age reversal facial procedures. Years ago, the method to address this was primarily tightening and pulling of the skin, which turned out to be mostly a short-term fix. Today, the solution focuses on tightening the tissue under the skin, which creates a more natural look. Additionally, adding volume in strategic places, using fat transfer and fillers, can create a more youthful appearance.

Laser treatments are another great solution for turning back time. We offer an amazing ProFractional Laser treatment which goes beyond the skin, and deeper into the facial tissue where it generates heat, ultimately boosting collagen production and reducing the appearance of lines, wrinkles, acne scars and other facial problems. This treatment leaves the skin looking healthier and younger with little down-time.

For breasts, we are always aiming to get a softer, more natural look, which has been easier to achieve with silicone back on the market. 95% of breast augmentation patients now choose silicone because it creates a more natural look and feel, and is more comfortable. With Mentor’s new MemoryGel® technology; silicone breast implants are safer than ever before. I have thousands of happy patients with beautiful, natural-looking breasts, successfully augmented with silicone.

Cosmetic surgery trends…

Every once in a while, people will see a new fad procedure or trendy product in a magazine or on TV, and we immediately get dozens of phone calls for consultations on it – but as a general practice at Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland, we do not immediately jump on the bandwagon. We will never risk our patients’ results on an unproven procedure, so we spend time researching and studying new options before offering them to our patients.

In conclusion…

When considering plastic surgery, it’s important to do your research. Through online resources, you can quickly learn about a doctor’s credentials, training and educational background. When selecting your doctor, it’s important to find one that has expertise in the procedure you want, makes you feel comfortable, listens carefully to your goals and guides you every step of the way to achieving them.

Women have the advantage of makeup, which can highlight eyes and lips, or brighten your cheeks—but it can only do so much for your nose. For men, there is no easy way to de-emphasize an oversized nose.

If you are uncomfortable with your nose, you no longer have compensate for it. The key is to find a very experienced surgeon, because rhinoplasty requires great surgical skills.

A Baltimore Nose Job Creates Dramatic or Subtle Changes

Rhinoplasty—nose reshaping surgery—is a cosmetic procedure that allows our Baltimore plastic surgeon to create a more attractive, proportioned nose by changing its size, slope, or shape. This operation doesn’t need to be dramatic if you seek a more subtle change. Sometimes, a small change to your nose can help your whole face blossom.

In Baltimore nose jobs are popular with both men and women seeking to streamline their profiles.

The Operation & Recovery Take Time

A rhinoplasty procedure is safe and can take up to three hours for complex cases. Your plastic surgeon will sculpt your cartilage to improve the nose’s size and shape. Most Baltimore nose jobs are performed for cosmetic reasons, but they can also be done to correct breathing problems. Called a septoplasty, this procedure involves adjusting or realigning the septum.

During recovery, the bruising and swelling from the operation gradually improve over the course of a few weeks, although you may be able to return to work sooner, depending on your job. Follow your surgeon’s post-op instructions and avoid strenuous activity for four to six weeks.

Make a Smart Decision

It is very important to be sure your plastic surgeon is experienced and board certified. Review your surgeon’s before and after photos to be sure you like their past results. At the Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland, Dr. Patrick Byrne is an expert in rhinoplasty procedures. A specialist in facial surgery, he is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology (ear, nose, & throat surgery) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Byrne also teaches at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Medical Institution.

Contact us for a free consultation.

Planning for an Event

If you want to be ready for a special event, our advice is to definitely plan ahead. While non-surgical procedures like BOTOX®, Dysport®, and wrinkle-fillers have little downtime and immediate results, some surgical procedures can require several months to fully recover from.

You may want your new look in time for a wedding, class reunion, holiday party, or special vacation—to boost your confidence in a bathing suit. If you have set a date for your event, make sure you plan as far in advance in possible. You will want to be sure your incisions are healed and swelling has gone down in time. The board certified plastic surgeons in Maryland are experienced at minimizing scars and hiding them in less visible areas. During your free consultation, you can learn about expected healing times for each procedure.

Especially for Moms

For mothers, the timing issue may not involve a specific event. For example, a woman who wants a mommy makeover in Baltimore is encouraged to wait until she has finished having children, so that the tummy tuck results will last.

In addition, moms should plan for help with the kids for at least the first week or two after the surgery (depending on your surgeon’s instructions), as lifting children will not help recovery.

Best Time for Surgery

Finally, when you are considering plastic surgery, you need to do the research and find a surgeon you can trust. During this process, you become emotionally invested in the vision of the “new you.” If this is the case, the absolute best time to have your procedure is … now!

If you are ready now, don’t wait. Since the best reason to get plastic surgery is for yourself, you do not need to wait for a special occasion. Financing can help make it possible for you to have a procedure sooner than later.

Timing Guidelines for Some Popular Procedures

• Breast Augmentation: While recovery from breast augmentation is usually quick, it’s best to plan breast surgery a few months ahead of a major event, such as a wedding.
• Tummy Tuck: If you’re having a tummy tuck to look great in a bathing suit, plan your surgery for 3 months before your vacation begins.
• Liposuction: Winter can be a great time for liposuction, as your post-operative support garments can be hidden under clothes.
• Facelifts: Plan to have your facelift about 6 months before an important occasion, so that all swelling will be completely gone.
• Rhinoplasty: Recovery from rhinoplasty is relatively easy, but you’ll want any puffiness to be gone before a big event. Plan at least 2 months ahead.
• MedSpa Procedures & Injectables: Improve your appearance anytime with these quick and easy procedures! There’s very little downtime to most non-surgical procedures. Polishing your skin or ridding yourself of wrinkles is a great way to glow before an event.

 
It doesn’t matter whether you want to increase your confidence or correct a physical flaw. If you are ready to take the leap, then schedule your surgery. The sooner you have it done, the longer you will be able to enjoy the results.

Contact the Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland to schedule a free consultation. If you have an event you would like to be ready for, make sure you tell your surgeon. We will work with you to meet your needs.

What Is Body Contouring?

Body contouring is a generalized term that comprises several techniques. Liposuction, for example, is an outpatient procedure we perform in our licensed and highly accredited on-site surgical facility, the Bellona Surgery Center. With liposuction Baltimore residents can target those hard-to-tone areas such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks, upper arms, hips, calves, chests, and neck.

Liposuction is one of the most popular procedures we do. It requires only a small, inconspicuous incision. After a solution with an anesthetic is injected to minimize bleeding and improve your comfort, a thin tube called a cannula is manipulated back and forth under the skin to loosen the excess fat. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body. Our surgeons use an ultrasound technique that liquefies the fat before it is suctioned away.

Another technique used for body contouring in Maryland is an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. This surgical procedure focuses on the midsection and can eliminate excess skin and a protruding abdomen. It tightens the muscles and creates a slimmer waistline. This procedure does require a longer incision, but it is designed to be hidden beneath the panty line, and scars generally fade with time.

Combined with liposuction, a tummy tuck can help you achieve your desired body shape. The two procedures actually complement each other, often delivering a better overall result than either procedure could achieve by itself. For example, a tummy tuck can tighten your abdomen, while liposuction can eliminate the love handles at your sides, giving you a slim waist you can be proud of.

Can You Benefit from Body Contouring?

Ideal candidates for liposuction and tummy tucks are fit individuals with good skin elasticity. You can only discover if you are candidate for this procedure through a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Baltimore plastic surgery is now accessible to everyone. Financing packages make it affordable. Our location in Baltimore, MD, makes it convenient. Contact us to find out if you too can benefit from body contouring.

The outer shell of both implants is made of solid, pliable silicone. This material has been implanted inside hundreds of millions of people since it’s used in everything from pacemakers to artificial joints. That, however, is the only similarity between saline and silicone breast implants.

Silicone gel breast implant

Saline Breast Implants

Saline-filled implants contain a saline solution, the same fluid found naturally in your body. Unlike silicone implants, saline implants are often filled at the time of surgery, allowing the surgeon some flexibility in determining the final size. Saline implants have come under criticism for feeling less natural.

The newest generation of saline implants is even more durable. Studies have shown that the risk of an implant deflating is less than 1% per year. Leaked saline is absorbed by the body and is completely safe. While implant manufacturers offer warranties for their products, you’ll still need surgery to have the damaged implant removed, although you can have a new one inserted at the same time.

Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Silicone implants come pre-filled with silicone gel: a substance that more accurately mimics the soft feel of breast tissue. Silicone implants provide natural-looking results and are reliably safe. They are also slightly more lightweight, so they are less likely to droop over time.

Silicone gel breast implant cut in half: no leaking!

See for Yourself

Now is a great time to opt for silicone implants for your breast augmentation. Do your research and get the facts. Schedule a consultation to meet with one our board certified plastic surgeons. You’ll get to handle and compare the different types of breast implant. Feeling the difference can help you decide which you’d prefer.

It’s also the perfect time to “swap out” your saline implants for more natural-feeling silicone, as we at the Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland are offering a “Switch Your Saline for Silicone” promotion. Join the millions of women who have chosen silicone implants to get larger and more natural-feeling breasts.