Frequently Asked Questions | Dr. Andrew Gear
Welcome to Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Choosing plastic surgery or a non-surgical treatment is a significant decision, and Dr. Andrew Gear and our team want you to feel confident and informed before you take the next step. Whether you’re exploring breast augmentation, breast lift surgery, tummy tuck, liposuction, a mommy makeover, Botox, IPL/BBL, or laser hair removal, these FAQs bring common questions into one easy-to-navigate resource for patients throughout the Greater Charlotte area.
If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, call (704) 771-1747 or send us a message.
Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center FAQs
Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center is located at 11030 Golf Links Dr, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28277.
Dr. Andrew Gear is the founder and medical director of Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center and a board-certified plastic surgeon known for precision-focused planning and natural-looking results.
Dr. Gear specializes in breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, mommy makeover, Botox, IPL/BBL treatments, and laser hair removal.
Most procedures and treatments listed here are elective and are typically paid for out of pocket. If you have questions about payment expectations for your situation, our team can walk you through the details when you schedule.
Call (704) 771-1747 or send us a message to schedule a consultation.
Virtual consultation options may be available for select patients and early planning. Our team will let you know what photos or information are needed so that the visit is productive.
We offer financing through CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and PatientFi, and we also accept major credit cards.
We welcome patients from Charlotte and nearby communities, including Matthews, Waxhaw, Weddington, Ballantyne, Fort Mill, and surrounding areas.
Your consultation is designed to be thorough and personal. We’ll discuss your goals, review your medical history, evaluate your anatomy, and recommend a plan that fits your priorities and timeline.
Many patients value a concierge-level experience with clear recommendations, thoughtful technique, and treatment plans designed to look refined and natural rather than overdone.
Breast Augmentation FAQs
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that enhances breast volume using saline or silicone implants. It can restore fullness after weight loss or breastfeeding, improve asymmetry, or give your natural shape a boost.
Many patients want fuller volume, improved symmetry, better balance in clothing, or a more proportional silhouette. Your plan is designed around what your tissues can support and what looks natural on your frame.
Silicone implants tend to feel more like natural breast tissue and are preferred by many patients. Saline implants are filled after placement and can be a great option for certain anatomies or personal preferences.
Yes. Implant decisions can include size and profile (low, moderate, or high projection) and shape (round or anatomical), depending on your goals and anatomy.
Common incision locations include under the breast fold, around the areola, or in the armpit. Dr. Gear will recommend the approach that best fits your surgical plan and scar preferences.
Implants can be placed above or below the chest muscle. The best choice depends on your tissue thickness, your desired contour, and long-term support considerations.
Yes, but they are typically small, discreet, and carefully placed. With time, scars fade significantly for most patients.
Most patients describe recovery as manageable, with pressure and tightness rather than sharp pain. Your plan includes guidance and medication options to help you stay comfortable.
In most cases, yes. Depending on your surgical plan, Dr. Gear will place implants in a way that helps preserve the ability to breastfeed whenever possible.
You’ll notice a change right away, but your shape refines as swelling resolves and implants settle. The “final” look is a process, not a single day.
Planning ahead makes the first week smoother:
- Arrange help for lifting limits, childcare, and errands
- Prepare front-opening tops so you don’t strain overhead
- Set up a comfortable rest area with pillows for support
- Keep essentials within easy reach for the first few days
These steps help you rest consistently and protect your results while swelling begins to settle.
Andrew Gear, MD
Dr. Gear is a leading plastic surgeon on the East Coast, known for his expertise in breast and body contouring. With nearly two decades of experience, he combines advanced techniques with a natural touch to deliver exceptional results. At Providence Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, he leads an award-winning team of skilled injectors, estheticians, and a CoolSculpting master—offering both surgical and non-invasive treatments tailored to each patient’s goals.
Breast Lift FAQs
A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes and repositions the breasts to a more youthful, elevated position. It typically involves removing excess skin, tightening internal tissue, and often repositioning the nipple-areolar complex.
Patients often consider a lift for sagging, stretched skin, downward nipple position, or a deflated look that can happen after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or aging.
A breast lift with implants combines a lift with breast augmentation in one procedure. Implants restore upper-pole fullness and volume, while the lift reshapes and repositions the breast for a rounder, more youthful contour.
If position is the main issue, a lift may be the solution. If volume is the main issue, implants may be enough. If you want both elevation and fullness, a lift with implants may be the best match.
A lift primarily changes position and shape rather than adding volume. Some patients feel “smaller” because the breast is more compact and supported, while others feel more projected because the breast sits higher.
Yes. A lift requires incisions, and the scar pattern depends on how much reshaping is needed. Scar care and sun protection play a big role in how scars mature.
Yes. A lift plan can be designed to improve differences in nipple height, breast position, and shape, while keeping expectations realistic about natural asymmetry.
Recovery varies, but most patients plan time for early swelling and activity restrictions. Your timeline depends on whether your lift is combined with implants and the specifics of your procedure.
Many patients return to desk work within 1 to 2 weeks. Strenuous workouts and heavy lifting usually need more time, and you’ll resume activity gradually based on clearance.
Results can last many years, but pregnancy, weight changes, and aging can affect breast shape over time. A stable weight and good support habits help preserve results.
These habits help your results hold up more consistently:
- Maintain stable weight to reduce stretching
- Wear supportive bras for exercise and daily comfort
- Avoid nicotine to support better healing and scar quality
- Follow scar-care guidance once you’re cleared to begin
When you keep support consistent, shape tends to stay more stable, and scars often mature more favorably.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes excess abdominal skin and may include muscle repair to improve contour and core support when separation is present.
Common options include full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, and extended tummy tuck. The best approach depends on where excess skin and laxity are located and whether muscle repair is needed.
A mini tummy tuck typically focuses on the lower abdomen with a smaller amount of excess skin or minimal muscle laxity. A full tummy tuck addresses the entire abdomen and often includes more comprehensive repair and contouring.
Yes. If muscle separation or weakened abdominal tone is part of your concern, Dr. Gear will evaluate your anatomy to determine if muscle repair should be included in your plan.
Yes. In some cases, extended tummy tuck planning is often combined with 360 liposuction to address laxity that extends around the hips or flanks.
Dr. Gear uses both drain and drainless techniques depending on the patient’s needs. If drains are placed, they are commonly removed within about 5 to 10 days.
Many patients plan 10 to 14 days off work or normal activities, with bruising, swelling, and tightness improving over the first 1 to 2 weeks.
Light activity returns first, then more structured exercise later. Many patients return to light exercise around 4 to 6 weeks, with a gradual rebuild afterward.
You’ll see change early, but final results typically become clearer over 3 to 6 months as swelling resolves and tissues settle.
Yes. Many male patients pursue tummy tuck surgery after weight loss or to address abdominal laxity, with planning tailored to a naturally masculine result.
A practical setup supports smoother recovery:
- Arrange help for lifting, errands, meals, and childcare
- Set up a rest space with pillows for elevation and easy movement
- Place essentials at counter height to reduce bending and reaching
- Plan time off work and keep your calendar light
When these basics are ready, it’s easier to follow restrictions and let swelling improve steadily.
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Our extensive range of services guide our patients to an improved quality of life with an enhanced self-image. When we’re comfortable in our own skin, we feel confident and empowered to pursue our goals.
Liposuction FAQs
Liposuction is a surgical fat removal procedure designed to reshape and contour areas of the body with excess fat. It is not a weight loss solution, but it can be very effective for stubborn pockets that resist diet and exercise.
Common areas include the abdomen and flanks, thighs and hips, chin and neck, and the chest (including male chest reduction/gynecomastia correction).
Liposuction is usually best when you’re near a stable weight but have localized fullness that won’t budge. Skin elasticity matters because skin has to bounce back to fit the new contour.
No. Liposuction is body contouring. It can change shape and proportion, but it doesn’t replace healthy weight management or improve visceral fat.
Lipo 360 typically refers to contouring around the midsection for a more balanced waistline result, rather than treating only the front abdomen. Your consultation with Dr. Gear will confirm whether a circumferential approach fits your goals.
Compression is commonly recommended to help manage swelling and support the new contour as tissues heal and settle. Your timeline depends on treatment areas.
Downtime depends on how many areas are treated. Many patients return to light activity relatively quickly, while swelling can take weeks to improve and contour continues refining beyond that.
Some change is visible early, but swelling can hide definition at first. Many patients see clearer contour over 1 to 3 months as swelling resolves.
Removed fat cells do not return, but remaining fat cells can enlarge with weight gain. Stable weight helps preserve results.
Yes. Liposuction is commonly combined with tummy tuck or mommy makeover planning when safety and recovery demands are realistic for your life.
Consistency makes a difference:
- Wear compression garments as directed and keep it consistent
- Walk daily, but avoid strenuous exercise until clear
- Stay hydrated and keep sodium reasonable to reduce swelling
- Maintain stable weight so results aren’t masked by new fat gain
These steps help swelling resolve more evenly and support a smoother, more natural-looking final contour.
Mommy Makeover FAQs
A mommy makeover is a customized combination of procedures designed to address common changes after pregnancy, often focusing on the breasts and abdomen with optional contouring where needed.
Plans may include abdominal repair and skin removal, breast lift, breast augmentation, liposuction in multiple areas, and fat grafting as needed, depending on your anatomy and goals.
Mommy makeover surgery typically takes place under general anesthesia at the practice’s accredited surgical center, with a recovery roadmap tailored to your plan.
Candidates are typically in good general health, near their goal weight, finished having children, and bothered by loose skin, breast changes, or separated abdominal muscles.
Most patients do their best when they are finished having children, since future pregnancy can stretch repaired tissues and change breast shape again, requiring revision procedures to maintain results.
Recovery varies by procedure combination, but most patients plan meaningful downtime. Your plan is built around realistic milestones for work, lifting, exercise, and childcare needs.
Most patients need help during the first week, especially with lifting children, meals, laundry, and errands. A strong support plan is one of the biggest predictors of a smoother experience.
Yes. If muscle separation is present, abdominal repair is often part of the surgical plan to restore a flatter contour and improved support.
Both options exist. Combining procedures can mean one recovery period, while staging can reduce surgical time and simplify each recovery. The safest plan depends on your health and what you can realistically manage at home.
Results can last many years with stable weight and healthy habits. Large weight fluctuations or future pregnancies can compromise the result and may lead to additional revision procedures later.
Planning ahead reduces stress during the early healing window:
- Arrange childcare and household help for at least the first week
- Prepare a recovery space that supports elevation and short walks
- Stock easy meals, hydration, and essentials within reach
- Block time off work and keep your calendar light during early healing
When support is in place, it’s easier to follow restrictions and protect both your breast and abdominal results.
Botox FAQs
Botox relaxes targeted facial muscles that create dynamic lines, helping soften expression-related wrinkles. Many patients describe it as looking like a refreshed version of themselves rather than “frozen.”
Common targets include frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and crow’s feet. Botox can also provide a subtle lift to brows or the corners of the mouth in the right candidate.
Yes. The practice also offers Dysport and Daxxify, with Dysport often favored for larger areas like the forehead and Daxxify considered longer lasting for some patients.
Dysport may spread a bit more and can act faster for some patients. Daxxify is designed to last longer for certain people, sometimes around 6 to 9 months. Your injector will recommend the best match for your goals.
Your visit includes a one-on-one consultation with a licensed injector, an assessment of your facial anatomy, and a personalized plan based on your goals and movement patterns.
Most results last about 3 to 4 months, with individual variation by metabolism, lifestyle, and treatment area. Dysport has similar longevity, while Daxxify may last longer for some patients.
Many patients notice changes within several days, with full results typically developing over about two weeks.
The goal is natural expression with softened lines. Dosing and placement are planned to keep you looking like yourself, just smoother in the areas that bother you most.
Yes. By reducing repetitive muscle movement, Botox can help keep dynamic lines from becoming more etched over time, especially with consistent treatment.
Yes. Many patients combine neuromodulators with skin-quality treatments (like IPL/BBL) when tone, redness, or sun damage are also concerns, so the overall result looks more cohesive.
Depending on your goals, your plan may include:
- Dysport or Daxxify as alternatives based on your movement pattern
- IPL/BBL to address sun damage, discoloration, or facial redness
- A consistent schedule so results look steady rather than “on and off”
- Skin-care guidance to support long-term tone and texture
When these pieces are coordinated, results tend to look more balanced and maintenance feels easier.
IPL/BBL FAQs
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and BBL (BroadBand Light) are light-based treatments used to target sun damage, discoloration, facial redness, visible vessels, and uneven skin tone.
Both use pulses of light to target pigment and vascular issues, but they are different technologies. IPL is broad-spectrum and time-tested, and it’s often used on the face, neck, chest, and hands.
Patients often choose IPL/BBL for sun damage, brown spots, redness, uneven tone, and visible vessels, especially when they want improvement without surgery or injections.
There is typically no significant downtime. Some patients experience mild redness or darkening of brown spots for a few days, and many return to work or social events within about 24 hours.
Many patients need a series to address multiple layers of pigment and redness. Your recommended number depends on your baseline skin and goals.
Most patients describe quick snaps of heat and light. Comfort measures can be used, and treatment speed is typically manageable for most people.
IPL and BBL can reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne and improve post-inflammatory pigmentation. BBL may also stimulate collagen to help refine texture over time.
Safety depends on your skin tone and the settings used. During your consultation, our aesthetic experts will determine whether IPL, BBL, or another approach is best for your skin type and concerns.
Some improvement is visible after the first treatment, with continued changes as tone evens and the skin’s overall clarity improves across a series.
Yes. Botox addresses expression lines, while IPL/BBL targets tone and redness. Pairing them can create a more “overall refreshed” look when multiple concerns are present.
A good plan usually includes:
- Sun protection and avoidance of tanning before and after treatments
- A realistic series schedule rather than expecting a one-and-done change
- Coordination with injectables timing if you also use Botox or Dysport
- A maintenance plan for long-term tone and redness control
When timing and sun protection are consistent, results tend to look more even and last longer.
Laser Hair Removal FAQs
Laser hair removal uses targeted light energy to disable hair follicles and significantly reduce future hair growth, helping decrease the need for shaving, waxing, or plucking.
Common areas treated include underarms, bikini line and Brazilian, legs, arms, upper lip and chin, sideburns, back and shoulders, chest, and abdomen.
Pricing starts at $75 per session, with total cost depending on the size of the treatment area and the number of sessions required to achieve your goals.
Many adults are good candidates, especially with darker hair and lighter skin. Advances in technology have expanded candidacy, and your consultation helps confirm what’s safest and most effective for your skin type.
You’ll typically be advised to shave the area 24 to 48 hours prior, avoid waxing or plucking for several weeks, and limit sun exposure and tanning. Your provider will review your medications and products that may increase photosensitivity.
Many appointments take about 15 to 30 minutes for small to moderate areas, with longer visits for larger areas or multiple areas.
Laser hair removal is usually repeated about every 8 weeks for multiple sessions. Your exact number of treatments depends on hair density, growth cycle, and the area treated.
There is typically no downtime. Temporary redness and a mild sunburn-like sensation can happen, and a cold pack can help soothe the area if needed.
Many patients find it a strong value over time when they consider the ongoing cost of razors, shaving products, and waxing services, plus the time spent on constant grooming.
Risks are generally low when performed by trained professionals, but possible side effects can include irritation, temporary pigment changes, or rarely blistering. Your provider will review your risk factors during consultation.
A consistent plan improves outcomes:
- Follow pre-treatment instructions, including avoiding waxing and plucking
- Keep appointments on schedule so growth cycles are treated effectively
- Limit sun exposure and follow aftercare guidance for sensitive skin
- Share any medication or skincare changes that may affect photosensitivity
When sessions are consistent and prep is followed, hair reduction tends to be more noticeable and longer lasting.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Andrew Gear Today
If you’re ready to explore your options with a plan built around your anatomy, goals, and lifestyle, Dr. Andrew Gear and our team are here to help.
Call (704) 771-1747 or send us a message.