A tummy tuck isn't a weight-loss procedure, and it's not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise. The patients who do best are at or near a stable, healthy weight but are left with excess skin that simply won't tighten back up. If weight loss is your main goal, I'll be honest with you about that in our consultation and help you think through the right timing.

Most of my patients plan for about 10 to 14 days before heading back to work, and several weeks before getting back to full activity and exercise. You'll wear a supportive abdominal binder for about six weeks, and I'll be following your progress closely for at least a year afterward.

You will, and I always want to be upfront about that. The incision scar is permanent, but I place it low along your bikini line where it's easily hidden, even in most swimwear. How the scar settles varies from person to person. And if you've had a C-section before, I can often work that existing scar into your tummy tuck incision so we're not adding a new one.

Your tummy tuck is done in a hospital or outpatient surgical facility, and you'll be under general anesthesia, so you'll be completely asleep and won't feel a thing. The exact technique depends on how much change you're hoping to see.

In a typical tummy tuck, I remove most of the excess skin and fat between your belly button and pubic area, then tighten the connective tissue over your abdominal muscles with permanent sutures. I reposition your belly button through a small incision so it looks natural, and the hip-to-hip incision is closed along the crease of your bikini line.

Most procedures take about two to three hours.

A few things matter most: if you smoke, I'll ask you to stop before surgery and through your recovery, because smoking slows healing and raises the risk of complications. You'll also need to avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, and certain herbal supplements that can increase bleeding — my office will give you the full list and timing.

You will need to be at a stable weight for several months beforehand, since big weight changes after surgery can affect your results. You should arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you that first night.

Like any major surgery, a tummy tuck carries some risk — bleeding, infection, and a reaction to anesthesia are the general ones. More specific to this procedure, we watch for fluid collecting under the skin (a seroma), slower wound healing, scarring, and temporary changes in skin sensation.

In our consultation I'll go through every one of these with you personally and explain exactly how I work to keep you safe.

Yes, I'd encourage you to wait. A future pregnancy will stretch everything back out and undo the results we worked so hard to achieve. If you're thinking you might want more children down the road, I'd rather we plan your surgery for after you're finished growing your family so you get the lasting result you deserve.

The honest answer is that it depends — a mini tummy tuck, a full tummy tuck, and a tummy tuck combined with liposuction or another procedure all carry different costs. Rather than quote you a number that may not fit your situation, I'd rather examine you, understand your goals, and give you a clear, personalized estimate at your consultation. My team will walk you through the full cost and any financing options so there are no surprises.