About Dr. Mess

Dr. Sarah Mess

“I believe that everyone deserves to feel comfortable and beautiful in their own skin. That life is made up of a collection of moments, and that as a plastic surgeon I can help make more of those moments special.”

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Dr. Sarah Mess

Dr. Sarah Mess, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Mess is the daughter of an orthopedic surgeon father and artist mother, who naturally inspired her approach to plastic surgery. Combining artistry with surgery, Dr. Mess has developed a unique plastic surgery practice and med spa tailored to the goals and concerns of her patients. Whether it’s a more shapely breast, a slimmer waist, or a more youthful face, Dr. Mess’ surgical skills and non-surgical medical spa treatments provide patients in the DMV area with exceptional, natural looking results. While many cosmetic and reconstructive patients seek out Dr. Mess solely for her surgical expertise, others come to Dr. Mess to avoid surgery at her medical spa’s state-of-the-art anti-aging and skin rejuvenation services.

Dr. Mess believes that while surgery is often the best answer, it is by no means the only answer. We live in an amazing age of aesthetic medical advances. Twenty years ago there was no Botox, no dermal filler, no CoolSculpting. Today non-invasive med spa products and technologies are some of the fastest growing aesthetic procedures worldwide. Dr. Mess is constantly exploring the latest and best products and technologies to incorporate into her practice. She combines surgical expertise with the newest advances in non-invasive fat reduction, skin tightening technologies, lasers and fat transfer to offer the very best aesthetic results for both her surgical and non-surgical patients.

Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Olney, Maryland, Dr. Mess has strong ties to the region. She is affiliated with the Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, Northwest Hospital in Randallstown, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and Montgomery General Hospital in Olney. She is a part-time instructor at Johns Hopkins and was named Plastic Surgery Section Chief at Howard County General in 2014.

Medical Licensure

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • American Board of Plastic Surgery

 

Hospital Affiliations

  • Howard County General Hospital, Columbia, MD
  • Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • Northwest Hospital & The Cosmetic Surgery Center at Northwest Hospital SurgiCenter

 

Education

  • Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 1999-2005 Plastic Surgery Residency
  • University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD 1995-1999 Medical Doctor, Summa Cum Laude, 1999
  • University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 1990-1994Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Magna Cum Laude, May 1994

 

Language

  • Proficient in Spanish
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Professional Appointments

  • Plastic Surgeon and Sole Owner, Sarah A. Mess, M.D., L.L.C., Columbia, MD, 2005-Present
  • President, Plastic Surgery Center of Columbia, Columbia, MD, 2018-Present
  • Faculty, Allergan Medical Institute, Maryland, 2019-Present
  • Reviewer, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, 2015-Present
  • Reviewer, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2016-Present
  • Vice Chair, Aesthetic Face, Plastic Surgery The Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2024.
  • Instructor of Plastic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, 2009-Present
  • Section Chief of Plastic Surgery, Howard County General Hospital, Columbia, MD, 2015-2016
  • Section Chief of Plastic Surgery, Montgomery General Hospital, Olney, MD, 2006-2008
  • Plastic Surgeon, The Center for Wound Healing, HCGH, Columbia, MD, 2005-2010

 

Professional Societies

  • American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Industry Exhibits Committee
  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Program Committee
  • Maryland Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science
  • Medical Alumni Association of University of Maryland
  • Women Plastic Surgeons

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Publications

  • Mess, SA, Amalfi, A. “Expanding indications for fat transfer to the breast beyond reconstruction:  natural augmentation, tuberous breast correction, implant exchange.” Advances in Cosmetic  Surgery 2021; (4)1. 
  • Mess, SA. “To Post or Not to Post: Plastic Surgery Practice Marketing, Websites, and Social Media?”  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open 2019; Accepted; Pending Publication. Mess, SA. “Lipoaugmentation following implant removal provides a favorable aesthetic outcome as  judged by both plastic surgeons and the general population.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery  Global Open 2018; 6(8): e1882. 
  • Mess, SA. “Lower Face Rejuvenation with Injections; Combined Botox, Juvederm and Kybella for  Marionette Lines and Jowls.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open 2017; 5(11):  e1551. 
  • Mess, SA. “Breast augmentation using abdominoplasty fat.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal 2016; 36(8):  NP259-NP261. 
  • Mess SA. Melanoma. Howard County General Hospital Cancer Program Annual Report. Columbia,  MD: Johns Hopkins Medicine; 2008.  
  • Mess SA, Gardinger, GP, Spear SL. Breast reduction with the free nipple graft technique. In: Spear SL,  ed. Surgery of the Breast: Principles and Art. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;  2006. 
  • Davison SP, Mess SA, Kauffman CL, Al-Attar A. Ineffective treatment of keloids with interferon a- 2b.  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2006; 117(1): 247-252. 
  • Al-Attar A, Mess SA, Thomassen JM, et al. Keloids: pathogenesis and treatment. Plastic and  Reconstructive Surgery 2006; 117(1): 286-300. 
  • Mess SA, Kim S, Davison S, Heckler F. Implantable Baclofen Pump as an Adjuvant in Treatment of  Pressure Sores. Annals of Plastic Surgery 2003; 51(5): 465-7. 
  • Mess SA, Reese P, Della Lana D, et al. Older hypertensive, and hypercholesterolemic fairgoers visit  more booths and differ in their health concerns at a community health fair. Journal of Community Health 2000; 25(4): 315-329.  
  • Nakamura Y, Russell SM, Mess SA, et al. Heterodimerization of the IL-2 receptor β and γ chain  cytoplasmic domains is required for signaling., Nature 1994; 369: 330-332. 

 

Presentations

  • Panel Moderator 

      • Mess SA. Genital Surgery. ASPS Spring Meeting. Virtual, March 2023. 
      • Mess SA. Breast Session. 36th Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons. Pittsburgh, PA; October 2019. Mess SA. Establishing and Sustaining a Successful Plastic Surgery Practice. 34th Northeastern Society  of Plastic Surgeons. Newport, RI; September 2017. 
      • Mess SA. Aesthetic Session. 34th Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons. Newport, RI; September  2017. 

  • Presenter 

      • Mess SA. Labiaplasty: How to Avoid Complications and Aesthetic Revisions; ASPS Spring Meeting.  Virtual, March 2024. 
      • Mess SA. Filler Finesse in the Tear Trough and Temple and Ultrasound for the Expert Injector. New  York Region Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting. NY, NY; November 2023. 
      • Mess SA. How to Navigate the Deep Plane. Plastic Surgery The Meeting. Austin, TX; October 2023. Mess SA. Tips and Tricks of Expert Fat Grafting in Breast Reconstruction. Plastic Surgery The Meeting. Austin, TX; October 2023.  
      • Mess SA. And You’re Out: Explantation and Fat Transfer. Plastic Surgery The Meeting. Austin, TX;  October 2023.  
      • Mess SA. Temple, Forehead, and Brow Filler. The Artistry of Injectables. Austin, TX; October 2023. Mess SA. Ultrasound for Injectables. The Artistry of Injectables. Austin, TX; October 2023. Mess SA. Labiaplasty. Plastic Surgery The Meeting. Boston, MA; October 2023. Mess SA. Skinny on Fat Transfer to Breast. Plastic Surgery The Meeting. Boston, MA; October 2023. Mess SA. Lipoaugmentation Following Implant Removal. Plastic Surgery The Meeting. Atlanta, GA; October 2022. 
      • Mess SA. Fat Transfer Only Breast Reconstruction. Plastic Surgery The Meeting. Atlanta, GA; October  2022. 
      • Mess SA. Fat Transfer to Breast. Women Plastic Surgery Symposium, Tucson, AZ; February 2022. Mess SA. Lipoaugmentation Following Implant Removal Provides a Favorable Aesthetic Outcome. Mountain West Society of Plastic Surgeons. Aspen, CO; February 2020. 
      • Mess SA. Fat Transfer to Breast. 36th Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons. Pittsburgh, PA; October  2019. 
      • Mess SA. BBL, Profractional Laser. Sciton Meeting. Hong Kong; April 2019. 
      • Mess SA. BBL, Profractional Laser. Sciton Meeting. Beijing, China; April 2019. 
      • Mess SA. BBL, HALO, and Laser Resurfacing. Sciton Meeting. Richmond, VA; June 2017. 
      • Mess SA. Coolmini vs. Necklift. 49th American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Las Vegas, NV; April 2015. 
      • Mess SA. Lipoaugmentation After Implant Removal. 14th International Federation of Adipose Tissue  Science. San Diego, CA; November 2016. 
      • Mess SA. Mastopexy Augmentation. 33rd Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons. Baltimore, MD; September 2016. 
      • Mess SA. Oncoplasty. Breast Care in Howard County, Columbia, MD; October 2006. Mess SA. Al-Attar A, Menon N, Panarelli JP, Johnson MD, Baker SB. Viability of adipose tissue  injected with platelet rich plasma: an experimental study in the nude mouse. Plastic Surgery  Senior Residents Conference. Houston, TX; March 2005. 
      • Mess SA. Al-Attar A, Davison SP. Ineffective treatment of keloids with interferon α-2b. Northeastern  Society of Plastic Surgeons. Naples, FA; January 2005. 

  • Posters 

    • Mess SA. Mega-Volume Fat Transfer to Breast with Saline Wash, Filtration, and ABD Pad. 49th American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Las Vegas, NV; April 2015. 
    • Mess SA. Microneedles: Novel Delivery of Botulinum Toxin and Hyaluronic Acid. 49th American  Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Las Vegas, NV; April 2015.

 

Awards

  • Alpha Omega Alpha
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Epidemiology Award at University of Maryland Medical School 1999
  • Benjamin Franklin Scholar at University of Pennsylvania 1991-1994
  • NIH-Predoctoral Intramural Research Training Fellowship. NIH, Bethesda, MD 1994-1995
  • Essentials of Leadership Participant 2018, ASPS and ASAPS

Dr. Sarah Mess has either authored or reviewed and approved this content. Page Updated

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Many patients come to see Dr. Sarah Mess from the Baltimore, and Washington DC areas because of her ability to provide their face and body with a revitalized look that appears naturally youthful. For all of your cosmetic needs, please call (410) 559-9468 or use the form below to request a consultation.

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