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Awake Tummy Tuck

asked 1 year ago by KS1414 in Florida
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 447 times
Tags: anesthesia, awake

I've heard of some plastic surgeons around the country performing awake tummy tucks; Is this a legitimate procedure that can give you good results if you need a full tummy tuck, or is this considered dangerous with minimal results?

15 answers to Awake Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck should be done under general anesthesia.

Due to many factors and the length of the procedure, you should not do it under anything other than general anesthesia. It is better for both you and your surgeon. You don't want to be awake for a tummy tuck, it may sound like a good idea but it is not. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck and Anesthesia

A Tummy Tuck typically involves a muscle repair and this is not something I would advise or consider doing awake. For best results, patient comfort during the procedure is imperative. Please discuss your concerns regarding general anesthesia with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Board Certified Anesthesiologist. Proper education will ease your fears. Best wishes!

Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Anesthesia for a Tummy Tuck

The thought of an awake tummy tuck makes me very nervous. One main difference between an average and outstanding tummy tuck is the amount of muscle plication. It is impossible to get an equivocal muscle repair with a patient awake. I use general anesthesia for all my tummy tucks and always ask my board certified anesthesiologist to give a medication to relax the muscles prior to repair. This allows me to tighten the muscles very effectively while knowing the... more

Paul S. Gill, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

An Awake Tummy Tuck Means A Very Limited Result

Certain very limited forms of tummy tucks may be able to be done under local anesthesia with IV sedation. The removal of a little pooch of skin can be done this way but this would really be a 'micro-tummy tuck'. More significant forms of tummy tucks, whether they be a mini- or full tummy tucks, can only really be done under general anesthesia. When it comes to tummy tucks, do not be deceived into thinking that awake or seemingly simple approaches will make for significant changes... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Awake tummy tuck

To me an awake tummy tuck would be something from the times of the Inquisition. I do not think you would want to be fully awake during a tummy tuck. I think you may be better off having general or deep sedation.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck surgery: general vs sedation

Although tummy tucks can be performed awake (that is sedation) with or without an epidural, you would be far more comfortable to have general anesthesia - and it would make your plastic surgeon's job less trying. Most board certified plastic surgeons do perform tummy tucks under a general anesthetic. Make sure that you do have your surgery performed in an accredited center such as an outpatient center associated with a hospital. For the administration of the anesthesia, I would... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Full tummy tuck usually best under general anesthesia

Paramount in planning surgery is the patient's safety and comfort. With modern methods for general anesthesia, it is extremely safe and I frankly see no benefit to trying to do it under local. What ever the choice you make, be certain that the surgery will be done in a fully accredited facility.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Awake Tummy Tuck

Although I perform a lot of surgeries under local anesthesia and sedation, I would not be willing to perform a full tummy tuck in this manner. I feel that the volume of local anesthetic required to obtain adequate anesthesis would be in the toxic range, especially if a muscle plication is done. I think this is a procedure which can be done in a much safer manner under general rather than local anesthesia.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Is your surgeon a board certified plastic surgeon?

Some surgeries can be performed under sedation and local anesthesia without a breathing tube. I prefer not to with a tummy tuck becasue 99% involve some form of muscle repair. I think it is hard to achieve comfort with this procedure and the muscles often need to be relaxed with medicine to help facilitate the best repair. The more important point is that many surgeons who have not completed formal training in plastic surgery and are not board certified plastic surgeons are... more

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Is Awake Tummy Tuck An Option?

"Awake" anesthesia can mean different things to different people. Since a tummy tuck involves both removing excess skin and fat and tightening of your abdominal wall muscles, I generally recommend either IV sedation/MAC anesthesia or general anesthesia. However, I recommend you have this procedure done in an accredited surgery center/facility/or hospital. Please visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to learn more about your options. Based on your... more

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

Awake tummy tuck

It depends on what "awake" means. A tummy tuck done with sedation and tumescent anesthesia (injection of large amounts of fluid containing an anesthetic under the skin such as used in liposuction) is reasonable for some patients. Pure tumescent anesthesia without sedation may be hard for most patients to tolerate.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Awake tummy tuck in rare circumstances

By awake tummy tuck I assume you mean a procedure done under local anesthetic with some kind of IV sedation. In certain situations this can be done effectively and safely. It all depends on the proper setting, the proper patient selection, and the proper surgeon. More importantly make sure your surgeon has privileges at a hospital and that they are not recommending a tummy tuck under local because they can not operate in a hospital. That would be a big warning sign. more

Farzad R Nahai, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Awake tummy tuck?? Nope

The only way I would consider offerring an awake tummy tuck is with an epidural anesthetic. The problem is that it is not terribly safe toy be numb all the way up to your diaphragm which is necessary to do the muscle tightening. Go to the best plastic surgeon, have it done in an accedited facility with a physician anesthesia provider under general anesthesia and let them do what they do. That's how to get a great and safe result.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Awake Tummy Tuck = Great Option if you Love Pain and Disappointing Results

Very few REAL Plastic surgeons perform awake Tummy Tucks. While the very idea is attractive on the surface, take a deep breath and do some research into the 3 W's of journalism - Who, Why, Where WHO - Doctors who are NOT certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (and by definition not members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons wwwplasticsurgeryorg) are NOT Plastic surgeons. By law however, any holder of a MD degree and a medical license CAN perform ANY... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Awake tummy tuck is possible.

Surgery procedures can be done with patients awake but the proper choices of patients and procedures must be considered. A patient must feel comfortable during surgery with being awake or perhaps with a slight amount of sedation. The area to be operated on must be able to be numbed completely by a safe level of local anesthesia. If the patient has no pain, a safe level of local anesthesia can be used and the patient can feel relaxed during the procedure then it could... more