Baltimore plastic surgery procedures

Dr. Ricardo L. Rodriguez, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, specializes in multiple cosmetic surgery procedures, performed in his Quad A accredited Surgery Center located in Baltimore, Maryland. All procedures are performed under local or IV anesthesia with Board-Certified Anesthesiologists.

  • Baltimore Rhinoplasty (nose job)

    thumbnail side views before and after of a rhinoplasty patient

    Rhinoplasty, often called a nose job, reshapes the nose to enhance both its appearance and function. For patients who need adjustments only to the nasal tip, tip plasty focuses on refining the tip without altering other parts of the nose.

    When patients need functional improvements, such as correcting a deviated septum, alongside cosmetic changes, septorhinoplasty combines both in one procedure. This dual approach not only helps patients achieve a balanced, attractive appearance but also improves breathing.

  • Baltimore Otoplasty (ear pinning)

    Otoplasty is ear surgery, sometimes referred to as ‘ear pinning,’ and is often performed to change the shape and/or position of the ears. It can be performed on one ear or both ears. In most cases, ear cartilage is reduced so that the ears appear closer to the head.

    Ear surgery can create a better balance and proportion while improving the shape or appearance of the ears. This often has a profound effect on appearance and self-esteem. Patients who have Otoplasty often feel free to explore new hairstyles and stop wearing hats to hide their ears.

  • Baltimore Lip Augmentation

    Lip augmentation is a procedure that gives you fuller lips and can be performed on the upper lip, lower lip, or both lips. The lip can be augmented with your own tissues (Fat transfer) or biological tissue fillers (Juvederm or Restylane). Results with biologic fillers typically last 6-9 months, while your own fat is a more long lasting solution.

    Lip augmentation is very popular because it produces immediate results which can be subtle or dramatic. The degree of fullness of each lip (upper and lower) can be controlled as your lips can be injected with different amounts.

    If you choose to augment your lips with Restylane or Juvederm, those injections will be performed by Dr. Rodriguez personally.

  • Baltimore Laser Skin Resurfacing

    Laser resurfacing of the skin is a method to make the skin of the face appear younger-looking. Generally speaking, the laser creates damage to the top layers of the skin, which has the immediate result of a tightening of the skin. The procedure can be performed in an office setting under local anesthesia, or it can be performed in the operating suite at the same time other procedures are being done.

    There are now many types of lasers on the market. I am not a fan of laser therapy. I believe that many types of lasers damage adipose stem cells and the tissue matrix. We have seen patients with fat atrophy in the facial area after laser therapy. Over the past 20 years, patients from all over the world have contacted me to repair damage done by various types of lasers.

  • Baltimore Gynecomastia (male breast reduction)

    Gynecomastia, commonly referred to as “man boobs”, is the enlargement of breast tissue in men. Gynecomastia surgery, also called “male breast reduction”, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for men. While some men undergoing this surgery are overweight, many are not. The procedure can be performed under local or IV anesthesia, and most patients return to work within a week.

  • Baltimore Labiaplasty

    Labiaplasty is a cosmetic surgery for women that reduces the size of the inner lips of the vagina. The labia minora (inner lips) can vary in length. The average length is 61 mm, but some women have labia up to 100 mm long.

    Women often choose this surgery to reduce discomfort or improve appearance. Tight clothing can be uncomfortable for women with long labia.

  • Baltimore Arm lift (Brachioplasty)

    An Arm Lift, also called Brachioplasty, removes extra skin and fat between the underarm and elbow. This reshapes your arm, making the skin smoother and firmer. The type of Arm Lift you need depends on how much skin you have and where it is. We usually perform this procedure under IV sedation, which is safer and has fewer risks than General anesthesia. Most patients need to take 1-2 weeks off from work to recover.

  • Baltimore Posterior Butt Lift (skin-tightening)

    A Posterior Butt Lift is a skin-tightening procedure that removes loose, hanging skin from above the buttocks. By removing this skin, the buttock tissues are lifted, improving the overall contour and giving a more youthful, perky appearance. It is especially suitable for patients who have lost significant weight through dieting, gastric bypass, or weight loss drugs like Ozempic.

  • B’more Butt Lift

    The B’more Butt Lift focuses on making your buttocks stand out by eliminating the “muffin top” fat around your  waist. This procedure uses Lipo 360, a circumferential liposuction technique that removes fat around your entire torso. Many women have a muffin top that hides their natural buttocks. By removing this fat from the abdomen, flanks, and lower back, we reveal how much more prominent your buttocks truly are.

    We call it the B’more Butt Lift in honor of our Baltimore practice, where women enhance their natural buttocks with this transformative procedure. It’s similar to Lipo 360, but with more focus on sculpting your buttocks for a defined and enhanced appearance.

    Will the Procedure Increase My Butt Size?

    By strategically removing fat from your waist and above the buttocks, the B’more Butt Lift makes your buttocks look larger. In most cases, you already have more buttock volume than you realize—the excess fat in your muffin top hides it!

    However, if you’re looking for a major size increase or added volume to your hips and buttocks, the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) could be a better option. The BBL sculpts your torso and adds volume to your buttocks with fat injections, unlike the B’more Butt Lift, which enhances your natural shape.

  • Baltimore Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

    Before and after photo of an actual Brazilian Butt Lift patient.

    The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a procedure that enhances the size and shape of your buttocks using your own fat. This makes it a natural way to create a fuller, rounder, and more youthful look. The fat is taken from areas like the stomach, thighs, or back and injected into the buttocks.

    This procedure is popular among people of all ages and body types. It’s sometimes referred to as BBL with Lipo 360.

    BBL Safety and Dr. Rodriguez’s Role in the BBL Task Force

    In recent years, there has been concern over the safety of the BBL, particularly the risk of Pulmonary Fat Embolism (PFE), a serious complication. There were several reported BBL deaths due to PFE during the period 2014-2017. To address these concerns, a multi-society Gluteal Fat Grafting Safety Task Force was formed in 2017.

    Dr. Rodriguez was a key member of this task force, which set new BBL safety guidelines in 2019. These guidelines ensure that fat must only be injected into the subcutaneous layer (just under the skin) and never into the muscles, as this increases the risk of PFE.

    Why Dr. Rodriguez’s Expertise Matters

    As a member of the Gluteal Fat Grafting Safety Task Force, Dr. Rodriguez played an important role in creating the best practices that keep BBL patients safe.

    His involvement ensures that your procedure will follow the latest safety techniques. Be sure to ask your surgeon where they inject the fat and if they follow these critical safety guidelines.