Meredith Kugar, MD

Meredith Kugar, MD Dr. Meredith Kugar is a fellowship-trained aesthetic plastic surgeon at Meridian Plastic Surgery in Carmel, Indiana.

She offers a wide range of aesthetic surgery and is committed to a safe and personalized experience for each of her patients.

Life lately – fueled by puppy cuddles, snacks, rad plastic surgeon friends, nerding out over new implant technology, and...
09/26/2025

Life lately – fueled by puppy cuddles, snacks, rad plastic surgeon friends, nerding out over new implant technology, and trips to the Penrod art fair with .jenniferkugardds 💞 And yes, that is me working out in flats… we’re just out here doing our best OK?!

This is one of the most common skincare questions I get! You don’t have to put your entire skincare routine on hold just...
09/23/2025

This is one of the most common skincare questions I get! You don’t have to put your entire skincare routine on hold just because retinol is off the table. While nothing works exactly like the real deal, there are some solid alternatives that will keep your skin in good shape while you’re busy growing a human.

My go-to recommendations:

1) Three Ships SkinHero Bakuchiol + Calendula - Bakuchiol activates the same receptors as retinol to boost collagen and promote cellular turnover. It’s a pick and actually works.

2) Kyomi Skin Organic Bakuchiol Face Oil - Another bakuchiol option that works as a retinol alternative. The oil format makes it great for dry or sensitive skin during pregnancy.

3) ZO Exfoliator Accelerator - The glycolic and lactic acid complex gently exfoliates dead skin cells without being harsh.

4) SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst - Contains alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and taurine that work together to enhance cellular turnover and improve skin texture.

I always recommend checking with your OB before starting new skincare products during pregnancy, but these are the ones I consistently recommend to patients looking for retinol alternatives!





What area of the face shows signs of aging first? The peri-orbital area, or area around the eyes. This beautiful 44-year...
09/12/2025

What area of the face shows signs of aging first? The peri-orbital area, or area around the eyes.

This beautiful 44-year-old patient had tried all of the lotions and potions without seeing the improvement she was hoping for. She underwent upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and facial fat grafting.

Here she is 3 months post-surgery—her gorgeous eyes are shining, and she truly FEELS her age ✨

09/02/2025

Making the decision to undergo surgery is a big one. Pre-op preparation (and post-op follow through) are SO important to get the best possible result.

Curious about what pre-op or recovery really looks like for the procedures you’re considering? I’m all ears – drop your questions below!👇🏼

Brow lifts are having a moment – and for good reason! Your eyebrow position affects everything about how your eyes look....
08/27/2025

Brow lifts are having a moment – and for good reason! Your eyebrow position affects everything about how your eyes look. As we age, brows descend and that “tired” look creeps in. A subtle lift (we’re talking millimeters!) can make you look refreshed and more like yourself.

Check out the full breakdown of brow lifts via my most recent blog (or check your inbox if you’re on my mailing list 👀📬)

This patient in her mid 40s had had two C-sections and was unhappy with the shelf at her C-section scar. It limiting wha...
08/25/2025

This patient in her mid 40s had had two C-sections and was unhappy with the shelf at her C-section scar. It limiting what clothes she felt comfortable wearing and make her feel self-conscious. She had had liposuction of the C-section scar done by another surgeon, and was happy for awhile, but ultimately that did not fix her “shelf” (tethering of the scar and misalignment of tissue layers that causes an indentation).

To help achieve her aesthetic goals, I performed revision liposuction of her abdominal wall and revision of her C-section scar. This removes tethered scar tissue, and allows me to re-close the layers of the abdominal wall properly, which effectively eliminates the shelf.

Important note: not every patient is a candidate for a C-section scar revision. For many patients, a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is needed, which allows for more excess skin to be removed and the underlying muscles to be repaired. This particular patient is fit with minimal excess skin, which made her a great candidate for this approach.

Feel free to DM me with any questions about which surgical option might be right for your unique situation!

08/06/2025

The term “mommy makeover” is thrown around a lot – but what are the components of this surgery? Let’s break it down.

1. Breast surgery! This is different for every patient, and may involve a lift, implants, a lift + implants, or a breast reduction.

2. Abdominoplasty AKA tummy tuck – this includes repair of diastasis, or the 6-pack muscles, which can spread apart during pregnancy or with weight gain.

3. Liposuction - this helps with stubborn fat in areas like the flanks, and enhances the overall result.

Bottom line – it’s personalized for every patient! Some patients are candidates to have breast and abdominal surgery at the same time, some are not. Come in and see me to chat about your goals and what is best for you.

PS: Check out a full guide to mommy makeovers on my website. Click on “Read Dr. Kugar’s Blog” via the link in my bio.

One of the best parts of my job is my patients. It was my PLEASURE to care for this patient. I want all of my patients t...
07/31/2025

One of the best parts of my job is my patients. It was my PLEASURE to care for this patient. I want all of my patients to have exceptional results, and to have a personalized, comfortable experience with me and my staff 🫶

This 45-year-old patient was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma of the upper lip, which was treated with Mohs surgery. ...
07/25/2025

This 45-year-old patient was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma of the upper lip, which was treated with Mohs surgery. She was left with a 1.3x3cm defect of the upper lip.

The lip, including the Vermillion border (where the red lip meets the surrounding skin) and the Cupid’s bow, are challenging areas to reconstruct. I utilized tissue from above the defect and adjacent tissue rearrangement to close the defect and reconstruct her central upper lip.

Patient is shown here at 9 months post-surgery. We performed multiple rounds of microneedling in the office to help her scars, and she has done a great job with scar massage. Bottom line – recovery from reconstructive surgery after Mohs takes a long time and dedication from both patient and surgeon. It has been my pleasure and honor to accompany this patient through this difficult journey.

This imagery is shared with patient consent ✨

This is hands down one of the most common questions I get, and honestly? It depends!Your anatomy and goals are totally u...
07/15/2025

This is hands down one of the most common questions I get, and honestly? It depends!

Your anatomy and goals are totally unique to you, which means the approach should be too. Sometimes we can create that beautiful shape and lift using just your natural tissue, and that’s amazing when it works. But other times, adding an implant helps restore volume, especially in the upper pole (aka the upper part of your breast).

I know it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out what’s right for you, so I love walking through the decision-making process with my patients. Swipe through to see how we think it through together. Feel free to drop any additional questions below or send me a DM 💌 or come in for a consult (link in bio).

Happy Fourth of July from Oak Island, NC!! 🇺🇸Hope everyone has an amazing holiday weekend! 🤍❣️💙
07/05/2025

Happy Fourth of July from Oak Island, NC!! 🇺🇸

Hope everyone has an amazing holiday weekend! 🤍❣️💙

Let’s talk revision breast surgery 🍒 What is it? When a patient has had prior breast surgery, and needs a revision or se...
07/02/2025

Let’s talk revision breast surgery 🍒 What is it? When a patient has had prior breast surgery, and needs a revision or secondary surgery for a variety of reasons.

Revision breast surgery is challenging, and demands a high level of experience and expertise to be successful. Why is it so tricky? When implants have “bottomed out” like this patient’s had, it’s really hard to get good support again! You have to use a lot of tools (sutures, scaffolding or “internal bra”) to create a strong foundation for a good long-term result. Plus there are so many moving pieces: the “pocket” where the implant sits, the loose skin, and the breast tissue on top of everything. Revision surgery is generally always more technically challenging than primary surgery.

Patient details: This 63-year-old patient underwent breast augmentation 8 years ago. She gained weight during Covid, lost about 60 pounds with the help of a GLP-1 medication, and then was left with loose skin and sagging breast implants. Patient is 5’5 and weighs 123 pounds.

Surgery details: Breast lift (mastopexy), implant exchange, pocket revision including placement of Galaflex scaffold to maintain implant position.

Implant details: Motiva Ergonommix Demi (moderate) profile, 320cc

This post is shared with patient consent.

Address

170 W 106th Street
Carmel, IN
46290

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Meredith Kugar, MD posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Meredith Kugar, MD:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram