23 Dec 2025
If you are thinking about an aesthetic procedure, it’s important to find a BoardCertified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself, who will take the time to guide you through every step because getting from consultation to confidence is a process. It does not happen overnight. And a fundamental key to a great outcome is that you have realistic expectations. Your end result could look fantastic, but if you thought you’d be beach ready in 2 weeks, and it’s taken 6, that’s going to taint how you feel about your procedure. A fundamental component of my practice philosophy is to prioritize transparency. I pride myself on always being honest and upfront about what you can truly expect in terms of recovery, downtime, discomfort and results. The latter is critical as sometimes what a patient wants is not actually attainable given his or her anatomy. This is one of the many reasons why I always encourage patients to schedule an in-person consultation whenever possible.
Body Contouring Consultation to Establish Trust & Set Parameters
An in-person body contouring consultation is important for multiple reasons. It’s a chance for you to get to know me and for us to begin to establish a bond of trust. I always say that you don’t need to be best friends with your plastic surgeon, but you do need to trust him or her implicitly. I have had many of my patients for decades. I want our relationship to be long-lasting and fruitful. For me, this begins with really listening to what bothers you about your appearance. I will ask very detailed questions about your:
- Family history
- Medical history
- Pain tolerance
- Anxiety issues, if any
- Prior procedures as well as how your body reacted
My goal is to establish your unique baseline of healing as this will help us to determine a realistic recovery timeline for you. I will then perform a thorough physical exam to assess, depending on your goals:
- Skin tone & texture
- Areas of excess fat
- Degree of skin sagging or laxity
- Loose muscle
- Results from previous surgical or aesthetic procedures
Together, we will discuss the best treatment plan for your anatomy, desired outcome and lifestyle.
Realistic Body Contouring Recovery in Boston
One of the areas that is often confusing and frustrating for patients is the recovery. Almost any aesthetic procedure is going to require some amount of time for your body to heal. A surgical procedure simply requires a bit more. However, surgery can also deliver a more dramatic result. In my experience, as long as a patient understands exactly what to expect before ever setting foot in the operating room then he or she is going to be happier and more relaxed with the journey. I make it a point to set my Boston area patients up for success by walking you through what to expect day-by-day. This starts with your pre-op instructions which will include any medications that need to be filled, and, if you are having an abdominoplasty or liposuction of any kind, your compression garment. I am very clear with patients about why the garment is necessary as well as how long you will need to wear it.
Physical and Emotional Fluctuations are Normal
After your surgery, it is completely normal to experience physical fluctuations that can be disturbing if you are not prepared. During your body contouring procedure, I am going to be manipulating your skin and tissues. In a tummy tuck, for example, I will remove areas of excess fat, tighten lax muscles if necessary and excise loose skin to deliver a lifted, smooth abdomen. Your body’s natural healing reaction to this kind of tissue trauma is bruising and swelling. Bottom line, you are going to look swollen and potentially bruised before you look better. One of the reasons for the compression garment is to minimize the swelling which will both speed up your healing process and help to reduce any post-op discomfort. Furthermore, swelling, in particular, doesn’t necessarily behave in a linear fashion. So, patience is a must. You also may find that your emotions are all over the place. Again, this is very normal. Changing your body is emotional. Both my team and myself are on hand 24/7 to listen and answer any questions. We like to keep our patients close during the recovery time! My goal from consultation to recovery is always the same: to build trust, set clear expectations and empower you to feel confident, radiant and safe in your results.
To find out more about a body contouring procedure, or any other surgical or nonsurgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Chestnut Hill office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
