Can you be awake during a tummy tuck?

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.

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.

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 usually unable to get priveleges to perform a tummy tuck in a certified surgery center or hospital.  Thus, they perform "awake" tummy tucks in their office as an alternative.  See my website for videos discussing the operation and best of luck.