Awake Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck surgery (otherwise known as "abdominoplasty") is one of the most popular surgical procedures today.  This procedure aims to reduce skin laxity and excess tissue form the abdomen after significant weight loss or pregnancy.  The traditional procedure requires general anesthesia and involves significant cutting of tissue, including blood vessels, fat, and skin.  There is a fair amount of risk with traditional abdominoplasty.  A more recent technique developed and demostrated in 1999 by Juarez Avelar, MD showed that the risk is significantly reduced by liposuction of the fat prior to excising the skin.  This resulted in a smaller more elegant scar post-surgery.  Further work by Dr. Blugerman involving the use of tumescent solution that allowed the patient to be awake also allowed even finer results.

Today, this technique has been used world wide by many plastic surgeons to eliminate the need for general anesthesia and to offer a safe, affordable tummy tuck procedure.  This procedure eliminates saggy skin, can tighten the abdominal muscles stretched by pregnancy, and offers a quicker recover time.  Morevover, the procedure does not require a hospital stay, and most people return to work in about a week, with resumption of normal physical activites within 4 to 6 weeks.  Eliminating the need for a hospital stay and general anestesia also reduces the cost of the procedure by nearly half when compared to standard tummy tuck procedures.

Who is a candidate for the Awake Abdominoplasty?

Any men or woman in generally good health with significant skin laxity in the abdomen is a good candidate for this procedure.  A person with a history of poor healing or keloid scarring is not a good candidate for this procedure.

How much does the procedure cost?

This price of the procedure depends on the complexity required to remove the excess tissue and the amount of liposuction that has to be performed.  For a mini-procedure, the price may start at $3500, while a more complex case may be priced at $8000 or more.  To determine the price of your procedure and to find out more about the procedure benefits, risks, and alternative procedures available, we offer complimentary consultations.  Please call (215) 953-5140.