Is an Awake Tummy Tuck painful?

During your awake tummy tuck, you will be pain-free due to the local anesthesia. However, post-surgery, you might have mild to moderate pain but Dr. Lissa will discharge you with pain medication as well as compression garments that will minimize the pain and swelling.

How many appointments will I need?

Dr. Lissa will want to see you a few days after surgery to remove any drains and to monitor your recovery. Most patients will have between three and six follow-up appointments after their abdominoplasty procedure.

How long until I see results?

Most patients see their ultimate tummy tuck results in around two to three months but it depends on every patient’s health, skin laxity, and how seriously they follow post-operative instructions.

Can I combine an Awake Tummy Tuck with other procedures?

Yes, indeed! Many of our patients who receive an awake tummy tuck in Atlanta have combined it with other body contouring procedures such as Liposuction or Arm Lift . However, since this is local and not general anesthesia, and it is recommended that patients aren’t awake for surgery for two long, Awake procedures are more limited to be combined than general anesthesia procedures. We highly recommend you share any such plans with Dr. Lissa at your initial consultation so that she can offer her suggestions on the best combined procedures for your individual medical profile.

What are the risks associated with an Awake Tummy Tuck?

An awake tummy tuck is lower risk than a regular tummy tuck but it still comes with certain risks. Some of them are the following: Anesthesia risks Asymmetry Bleeding Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications Fat necrosis Fluid accumulation Infection Numbness or other changes in skin sensation Persistent pain Poor wound healing Possibility of revisional surgery Recurrent looseness of skin Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling Skin loss Suboptimal aesthetic result Unfavorable scarring If you begin to experience concerning reactions or have long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately.

Awake Tummy Tuck in Atlanta, GA

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Introduction

Awake Tummy Tuck

The stomach is one of the most stubborn areas to keep toned and tight through life’s challenges. Most people have a loose and hanging stomach despite genuine attempts at diet and exercise. Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Lissa Bootstaylor can help you address these concerns with an awake tummy tuck in Atlanta, GA. An awake tummy tuck is a tummy tuck with local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, so the patient is “awake”. Awake plastic surgery procedures are gaining more popularity as they have faster recovery time, are less risky than general anesthesia, and are also typically more affordable. To learn more about an awake tummy tuck in Atlanta from Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery, please continue reading the information below.

What is an Awake Tummy Tuck?

An awake tummy tuck or an awake abdominoplasty aims at extracting excess fat and skin from the abdominal area. It can also be used to repair diastasis recti or the separation of the upper abdominal muscles. It can also be used for limited repair of diastasis recti which is a side effect of pregnancy. Under local anesthesia, this procedure accesses the target fat and excess skin through an incision around the navel and the hip area. An awake tummy tuck is a fast, more affordable, and safe way to get that flat stomach you’ve always wanted.

What are the benefits of an Awake Tummy Tuck?

Our patients who have received an awake tummy tuck in Atlanta have shared some of the following benefits:

Boost in self-esteem
Ease into an active lifestyle
Lower recovery time than a regular tummy tuck
Minimize the risks for certain medical conditions
More affordable than a regular tummy tuck
Prevents risk of hernias
Relieves stress urinary incontinence
Repairs issues such as diastasis recti
Safer than a regular tummy tuck as under local and not general anesthesia
Stronger and improved core

Who Are The Best Candidates For An Awake Tummy Tuck?

At Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery, we believe you could be a good candidate for an awake tummy tuck in Atlanta, GA if you have some of the following characteristics:

Committed to diet and exercise even after surgery
Have no abdominal wall laxity
Have realistic expectations
Have sagging abdominal skin or excess fat
Have underlying medical conditions like diabetes, renal, cardiopulmonary issues, sleep apnea and are advised against general anesthesia
Maintain a stable, healthy weight
Non-smoker and can commit to staying so

Whats the First Step?

The first step in getting an awake tummy tuck in Atlanta, GA is to schedule your consultation with Dr. Lissa Bootstaylor. She will discuss your medical history including your pre-existing medical conditions that make you more viable for an awake tummy tuck as opposed to a regular tummy tuck such as hypertension, cardio-pulmonary, renal, and sleep apnea challenges. She will discuss the pros and cons of an awake tummy tuck and then examine your stomach, identifying incision areas to minimize scarring and target areas of reduction.

If you are deemed to be an ideal candidate for the procedure, Dr. Lissa will create your surgical plan which you can then share with our patient coordinator who will schedule your surgery, help you with pricing options as well as share any pre-operative instructions.

What to expect on the day of an Awake Tummy Tuck surgery

When you come in for your awake tummy tuck at Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery, you will be welcomed by Dr. Lissa and her friendly staff who will get you settled in your surgery room. They will then discuss the pre-approved surgical plan with you and mark the target areas in case of any last-minute questions and/or concerns. Then, an anesthetist will administer local anesthesia to make sure you are comfortable and pain-free but awake during the procedure.

Just as in a regular tummy tuck, an awake tummy tuck also entails an incision between the pubic hairline and the belly button. As the skin is lifted, the fat is debulked and a secondary incision around your naval is made and the upper abdominal skin. If repair is needed in the upper abdomen as well, a secondary incision around your navel will be made and the upper abdominal skin will be stretched down to create a flatter disposition of the stomach. Finally, the incisions are sealed with sutures and a new belly button is crafted.

This procedure will take approximately two to three hours if there are no complications.

Awake Tummy Tuck recovery

Post-surgery, Dr. Lisa will monitor you in the recovery room until your sedation wears off. We recommend you have a family member or friend drive you home to be safe.

You will be bandaged and most likely wearing a compression garment as you are discharged. If needed, you might also have one or two drains positioned for any fluid release. The drains will removed at your first appointment, usually a few days after the surgery.

We recommend full rest for two to three weeks since the core is involved in most movement.

How Much Does an Awake Tummy Tuck Cost In Atlanta, GA

The cost of an awake tummy tuck in Atlanta, GA varies on multiple factors such as the complexity of your case, the surgeon’s fees, and the anesthetist’s fees. We recommend you schedule your consultation with Dr. Lissa at your earliest so she can provide you with a surgical plan which our Patient Coordinator can then price out for you.

Why Choose Dr. Lissa?

At Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery, patients of all ages will find personalized procedures and individualized attention from one of the most talented and experienced plastic surgeons in Georgia and the United States. This should be your practice of choice for an awake tummy tuck.

Dr. Lissa Bootstaylor was named a Top Plastic Surgeon by US News and World Report. She received her medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, did her plastic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh, and her surgical residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. She is a certified member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the Atlanta Medical Association (AMA), and the Atlanta Women’s Medical Alliance (AWMA). She is the Medical Director of Atlanta’s premiere plastic surgery center, Atlanta APC Plastic Surgery, and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

Schedule a Consultation

If you want to achieve a flatter stomach and have pre-existing conditions that prevent you from undergoing general anesthesia during surgeries, an awake tummy tuck in Atlanta from Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery can help improve your abdominal contour. Call our office today or use our website to fill out a consultation request form and we will be in touch with you!

Awake Tummy Tuck FAQs

Yes, indeed! Many of our patients who receive an awake tummy tuck in Atlanta have combined it with other body contouring procedures such as Liposuction or Arm Lift. However, since this is local and not general anesthesia, and it is recommended that patients aren’t awake for surgery for two long, Awake procedures are more limited to be combined than general anesthesia procedures. We highly recommend you share any such plans with Dr. Lissa at your initial consultation so that she can offer her suggestions on the best combined procedures for your individual medical profile.
An awake tummy tuck is lower risk than a regular tummy tuck but it still comes with certain risks. Some of them are the following:
- Anesthesia risks
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Fat necrosis
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
- Persistent pain
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Recurrent looseness of skin
- Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
- Skin loss
- Suboptimal aesthetic result
- Unfavorable scarring
If you begin to experience concerning reactions or have long-lasting side effects, please contact our office immediately.

“Dr. Bootstaylor performed my plastic surgery several years ago in multiple areas. My results were amazing! She is a perfectionist.”
I don’t think there are words to describe the experience with Dr. Lissa and staff. The love and kindness is profound. They make you feel heard, but most of all, they make everyone feel beautiful. They treat you like family, not just another patient off of the street. Love, love love, Dr. Lissa Bootstaylor and the ladies of the office!
The entire staff was friendly and professional. They took the time to go over the entire procedure with me. As for Dr Lissa, she was very personable and she listened to me. And answered all my questions and concerns.

Schedule Your Consultation

Patient Resources

We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out and set up your consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.