The results of a tummy tuck are generally permanent and will last as long as you maintain a healthy weight.

This is completely dependent on the patient’s anatomy, how much loose skin there is, how separated the abdominal muscles are, and how much fat there is. Dr. Goggin would need to perform a physical examination to determine what the best option is to reach your aesthetic goals.

Yes, Dr. Goggin repairs the muscles during a Tummy Tuck. This is called rectus diastasis and it is repaired with multiple layers of stitches.

Yes, you can get pregnant after a tummy tuck and the baby will be safe. It is often recommended to wait until you are done having children because there can be loose skin that may need to be addressed after.

After surgery you will be sore and swollen. Pain will be managed with medications you are provided. Drainage tubes are placed at the incision site to remove excess fluid and stay in for approximately 1 week. Swelling can last for several weeks. We recommend you wear a compression garment for 6 weeks post-op. You are encouraged to walk a lot after surgery to help reduce the risk of a blood clot. At 3 weeks you may resume light exercise such as treadmill/elliptical. At 6 weeks after surgery you may resume strenuous exercise.

The cost of a tummy tuck procedure will depend on the amount of skin to be removed, volume of liposuction required, need for any mesh to repair your abdominal muscles, operating room fees, and time spent under anesthesia. During your consultation, Dr. Goggin will evaluate you and the quote for the cost of your procedure provided.

An abdominoplasty does leave a permanent scar just above the pubic area, but it is low enough to be concealed by a bikini or by low-cut underwear.

If you have been unsuccessful at reducing your muffin top with a healthy lifestyle, the most likely explanation is that you have excess (loose) skin that has stretched around your midsection. Unfortunately, diet and exercise cannot get rid of this skin. Cosmetic procedures are the only realistic way to improve skin that no longer drapes tightly around your contours.

Unless only a small amount of skin is removed (this procedure is called “mini tummy tuck”), your navel will need to be adjusted. As Dr. Goggin pulls your skin taut, your belly button hole is smoothed out while the belly button stalk remains in place. So that your midsection continues to look normal, Dr. Goggin will create a new hole that is central and proportional to the new size of your abdomen. If you have preferences about how you would like your new belly button to look, you may share that with Dr. Goggin during your consultation.

Ideally, you should be at or close to your goal weight before having tummy tuck. When your abdominal skin is tightened, it will fit over your existing contours, so if you expect to gain or lose significant weight in the future, this will undo some of the positive effects of the surgery. Dr. Goggin encourages his patients to be at a steady weight for several months prior to having abdominoplasty to ensure that it is a realistic weight they can maintain.

Tummy tuck requires a horizontal incision above the pubic region. This creates a scar that will fade significantly over time, but never disappears entirely. The good news is that Dr. Goggin can place his incision low enough that most types of underwear and bathing suits cover the scar completely. If you are wearing even a minimal amount of clothing, no one should be able to see your abdominoplasty scar.