Perfectly Imperfect - A Female Plastic Surgeon's Perspective

Med spas rapidly appeared over the last decade, and treatments like Botox, filler, and lasers are everywhere. But not all med spas are the same. Baltimore plastic surgeon Dr. Carrie Houssock and NP Lindsey share how the industry has changed, and why who’s training and supervising the injector matters just as much as what’s being injected. They explain what “medical director” really means, how stat...

Motiva breast implants aren’t new to the world, but they are new to the U.S., and the first implant to be FDA-approved in 13 years. We’re excited to now offer them in our practice. Dr. Houssock and Danielle break down what makes Motiva different from the Natrelle implants we’ve always used and address your biggest questions about safety. Motiva implants come in two styles: Round, which maintains a...

See what we did there? If you’re struggling with weight and wondering if GLP-1s could be your answer, Dr. Houssock and Lindsey break down everything to expect from your first consult, like BMI requirements, lab work, and how we safely adjust your dose along the way. Once used to treat diabetes, GLP-1 medications are now revolutionizing weight loss, helping people shed pounds after nothing else wor...

One of the most common questions women ask before getting breast implants is, “What if I don’t end up liking them?” It’s a totally valid concern. Breast augmentation is a big decision and a major life change that takes some getting used to. Dr. Houssock and Val get personal about how breast implants changed their lives, talking candidly about what recovery really feels like, physically and emotion...

For anyone who has lost a lot of weight, it’s common to have those saggy “bat wing” arms. As the weight loss boom continues thanks to GLP-1 medications, so does demand for treatments to improve loose skin. From arm lift surgery to liposuction to the innovative BodyTite body contouring procedure, Dr. Carrie Houssock and patient coordinator Danielle walk through each option, who it’s best for, what’...

From subtle tweaks to surgical transformations, Dr. Carrie Houssock and Lindsey explore non-surgical options and set realistic expectations for what injectables, lasers, and other treatments can do.  But when is surgery the better choice? Dr. Houssock explains why some results simply aren’t possible without it and how combining both approaches can deliver the best outcomes. Anti-aging isn’t a one-...

Dr. Carrie Houssock and Danielle come to us live from the annual nationwide conference of aesthetic plastic surgeons known as The Aesthetic MEET. Reflecting on the game-changing technologies and products they’ve discovered here in past years like the Ballancer Pro for lymphatic massage, InMode’s BodyTite and FaceTite, and Silagen scar gel, Dr. Houssock shares her favorite finds and why she’s alway...

No matter who does your surgery or how smoothly it goes, recovery always comes with risks. So why not control what we can?  Dr. Houssock and Val share the most important plastic surgery recovery do’s and don’ts, so you can heal safely and get the best results possible. We’ve got you covered in the operating room, but recovery? That’s on you. Think of it like training for a marathon: you need to fu...

After losing 100 pounds ten years ago, Danielle found herself with a new and different set of issues she hadn’t expected—and that her bariatric surgeon hadn’t prepared her for. Opening up about her motivations and the obstacles she’s overcome, Danielle shares the realities of her life after significant weight loss, including the need for multiple procedures, the importance of realistic expectation...

Many women choose breast reduction because they're fed up with the discomfort of large breasts—whether it’s pain, trouble finding clothes that fit, or just the ongoing hassle of carrying extra weight.   Because breast reduction noticeably improves well-being almost right away, Dr. Houssock and Val love helping patients of all ages experience the life-changing results of this surgery. Find out: Wha...

There is a growing black market for hair restoration surgery fueled by flashy TikTok and Instagram videos, putting people at risk who don’t understand who is truly qualified and what’s realistically possible.   Having completed hundreds of hair transplant procedures together, from their training and depth of experience Lindsey and Dr. Houssock educate us on everything we need to know, including: W...

Women with higher than average hairlines visit Dr. Houssock and Danielle feeling self-conscious about their foreheads, hiding behind headbands or even wigs.  These women usually don't need a hair transplant; they just want a shorter forehead. If you have a full head of hair but a high hairline, this niche procedure might be your answer. Dr. Houssock and Danielle walk you through hairline lowering...

It's completely normal to feel uncomfortable discussing issues of incontinence or intimacy, but know you’re not alone.  Dr. Houssock and Lindsey (who has seen it all in her labor & delivery days) have ways to help with everything. For common issues like urinary incontinence, dryness, discomfort during sex, and aesthetic concerns, we outline the best treatment solutions for each. With the Empow...

Every day, Dr. Houssock and Lindsey talk to people with long-held misconceptions about hair transplant surgery and misunderstandings caused by the various hair restoration treatments sold to us through advertising.  Neither Dr. Houssock or Lindsey ever expected to become an expert in hair restoration, but today it is one of the most impactful ways they help both men and women.  Having cared for th...

Diastasis recti is very common but widely misunderstood, and it’s hard to even know you have it unless an expert confirms it. Because it is impossible to fix with exercise, tummy tuck surgery often includes diastasis repair.  In severe cases of diastasis, you might even still look pregnant long after the baby is born. It can also cause back pain or force your center of gravity to be off.  Along wi...

Despite what TikTok says, getting your old body back after having a baby is not a thing. It’s a miracle that your body grew a child, and there’s nothing wrong with the “mommy bod.” But there’s also nothing wrong with doing something for yourself after all that. In part one of two episodes covering the aesthetic procedures unique to the aftereffects of having a baby (commonly known as the “mommy ma...

About once a week, a bride-to-be comes in asking for our help and often there’s not enough time to do everything.  Dr. Houssock and Lindsey, our in-house skin care expert, take you through the ideal timeline to prepare for a big event, from procedures to start planning at least 6 months ahead through the little tweaks you can safely do a week before the wedding. Hear the go-to wedding prep favorit...

While there are minimally invasive options for skin tightening that can yield fantastic results for the right people and in the right areas, there is nothing nonsurgical that can take the place of the tummy tuck. Who: Dr. Houssock and Danielle lay out who is a candidate for a full, mini, or reverse tummy tuck. When: Find out how to plan your surgery and identify the best timing for your life How:...

Ever wonder how some celebrities just don’t seem to get older? The secret is that they have a smart aesthetic professional who has them on a strategic treatment plan with a little bit of everything in their toolbox, and fillers are one of those tools. The beauty of fillers is the wide range we have to choose for every face and concern, from restoring volume to reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Dr....

With not one but two of the world’s best RF microneedling technologies under our roof, nurse practitioner Lindsey treats all skin types and a wide variety of areas, including the face, jawline, neck, hands, arms, thighs, and décolletté.  While both of our RF microneedling technologies are fabulous treatments for improving texture and tone, acne scars, and crepey skin, there are some important diff...

A plastic surgery consultation at JEV Plastic Surgery is never a “cookie cutter” situation. From your first phone call to scheduling surgery, our goal is to make sure you feel comfortable, educated enough to make informed decisions, and never rushed. Danielle, the director of JEV Plastic Surgery and a patient coordinator for over 17 years, takes us through the consultation experience to share the...

Although hair loss in women doesn’t get the level of attention it does in men, it is surprisingly common. But women are complex beings and our hair loss is no different. The causes are different and the treatment should be too. Helping many hundreds of hair restoration patients throughout her career, both male and female, nurse practitioner Lindsey DiTanna is still shocked to see how many women su...

For many people, going under general anesthesia is the scariest part of having surgery. You trust that you won’t wake up unexpectedly in the middle of surgery, and that when it’s over you will wake up – without being in unbearable pain. Although you do get to choose your plastic surgeon, you don’t get to choose who does your anesthesia and you might not even meet them before the day of surgery. On...

Nurse Val wanted breast augmentation her entire adult life, and five years ago she got it. She remembers how excited she was on the day of surgery, her husband’s bad jokes, and how it felt like something was sitting on her when she woke up. More recently as a new mom, she recalls the shocking changes to her breasts when the time for breastfeeding arrived. There are things she’d do differently if s...

Valerie, the operating room nurse at JEV, quizzes Dr. Houssock on the most common questions women have when considering breast augmentation, including implant size, incisions, recovery, and fixing asymmetry. At every consultation and continuing through the pre-op appointment, careful attention is paid to choosing the right size. Once in the operating room, Dr. Houssock and Valerie work together an...