The internet has radically improved a patient’s ability to self-educate. With a single click, you can research all of the body contouring procedures available today. And there are many. This is fantastic as knowledge is power.
However, the world wide web doesn’t have the ability to individualize. It cannot know the ins and outs of your unique anatomy. In order for a procedure to do its job, it has to be the right one for your individual body, lifestyle and desired outcome. So, the fabulous flat abdomen that your favorite influencer achieved with Coolsculpting®, for example, may not deliver the end result that you desire.
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is one of the most powerful procedures in my arsenal for rejuvenating your entire torso. It also requires more time for recovery. For this reason, many new body contouring patients are initially resistant, asking: “Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?”. Here are some guidelines.
Tummy Tuck Lifts Loose Skin & Muscle
Many patients are confused about the difference between a fat removal procedure such as:
- Liposuction
- SculpSure®
- Coolsculpting®
And a tummy tuck. While liposuction is a surgical procedure and the other two are non-surgical, they all only have the ability to remove excess fat. However, an abdominoplasty allows me to address ALL of the underlying issues that may be causing you to feel dissatisfied with the appearance of your mid-section. These include:
- Sagging skin
- Excess pockets of fat
- Weak muscles
- Diastasis Recti
Figuring out which procedure is going to be right for you is the job of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon such as myself.
Tummy Tuck Consultation in Boston
I sometimes feel like a broken record talking about the importance of scheduling an in-person consultation, but one of the interesting things with body contouring is that what bothers you about your appearance may not be due to the reasons that you think.
During our meeting, I will listen closely to what, exactly, is making you unhappy in terms of your body. I will ask about your medical history, family history, any prior procedures that you may have had as well as how your body reacted. This will help me to establish your body’s baseline for healing. With any surgical procedure like a tummy tuck, we are cutting the skin.
I practice precise surgical techniques that put as little tension as possible on the surface of your skin as this can contribute to a visible scar. However, some people are genetically inclined to develop thicker scars. We want to know this upfront so that you have as much information as possible in order to make the right decision for you. Next, I will perform a thorough physical exam to assess:
- Skin tone & texture
- Location and volume of excess fat
- Degree of loose skin
- Presence of weak muscles, if any
Recovery from Abdominoplasty is Critical
I pride myself on always being upfront about exactly what you can expect in terms of the procedure itself as well as the recovery. For this reason, I take time during our consultation to discuss your lifestyle. As mentioned, a tummy tuck is a robust procedure that can produce a truly dramatic result, but it does require a significant investment in terms of recovery.
If you have young children at home, an active job or other obligations that may be impacted by this necessary downtime, I want to make sure that we have plans in place to get you the help that you may need. I can perform the best tummy tuck in the world, but if you do too much too soon, it will pull on your incision lines, resulting in a scar or worse. And neither of us want that.
To find out more about a tummy tuck, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.