When Appleton, Milwaukee, or Gurnee patients are looking for effective abdominal contouring with excess skin removal, they have options. Many surgeons perform awake skin excision and traditional tummy tuck procedures. Each procedure offers its own benefits and drawbacks in terms of aesthetic changes, anesthesia, surgical technique, cost, and recovery.
Awake skin excision specifically focuses on addressing a small or moderate amount of excess abdominal skin. It generally offers subtler results, which look very natural. Note that it also typically paired with liposuction to remove excess fat.
A tummy tuck treats a variety of excess tissue types in a single surgical session, so its body-contouring results can be more dramatic. Along with severely sagging skin, this procedure is designed to address sagging and separated abdominal-wall muscles (a condition called diastasis recti), along with excess stubborn fat.
During a traditional tummy tuck, patients are placed under general anesthesia. This makes them completely unconscious and free from any pain for the duration of the surgery. Afterward, they will need to recover from the effects of general anesthesia, which can take several hours.
General anesthesia is typically very safe. Side effects may include minor issues like dry mouth, sore throat, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, urination issues, muscle aches, and chills. There is also a very low likelihood of more extreme side effects like pneumonia, blood clots, malignant hyperthermia, and death.
During awake skin excision, patients are not placed under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Instead, they’re under local anesthesia, which completely numbs the treatment area, preventing any pain. The patient will be awake for the duration of the procedure but will have taken oral medication to help them relax and stay comfortable.
Awake skin excision allows patients to completely avoid the minor and major side effects associated with general anesthesia. Recovery time from anesthesia is also much shorter. Rare minor side effects of local anesthesia include headaches, dizziness, numbness, muscle twitching, or blurry vision.
Awake skin excision can be performed at one of our facilities in Appleton, WI; Brookfield/Milwaukee, WI; and Gurnee, IL, while a traditional tummy tuck must be performed in a surgical center or hospital.
During awake skin excision, after the surgeon marks the treatment areas, they administer local anesthesia and oral medication. Once it takes effect, the surgeon makes an incision and trims away excess skin using a scalpel (a technique known as scalpel excision). Finally, the incision is closed with sutures.
During a traditional tummy tuck, after the treatment areas are marked, general anesthesia is administered. Once it has taken effect, the surgeon creates a curving horizontal incision from hipbone to hipbone. They may also create a smaller incision at the belly button to allow better access to the abdomen.
Next, the surgeon trims away loose skin, tightens and rejoins abdominal muscles using internal sutures, and suctions excess fat out of the body using a cannula and medical suction. Finally, they close all incisions.
Generally, the cost of awake skin excision is lower than the price of a traditional tummy tuck. This is primarily due to three factors:
At Blue Wolf Transformations in Appleton, WI; Brookfield/Milwaukee, WI; and Gurnee, IL, we offer awake skin excision for only $5,000 and no extra fees. This makes the cost of the procedure much more affordable than a traditional tummy tuck.
Awake skin excision generally provides a shorter, more comfortable healing process because it involves less tissue removal than a traditional full tummy tuck. There is much less swelling, bruising, soreness, and tightness, so these post-surgical issues typically resolve more quickly.
It also allows a typical quicker return to various activities because it doesn’t involve changes to the abdominal muscles. Typically, patients can resume light walking the same day as surgery and return to other light activities soon after.
Awake skin excision patients can return to desk jobs anywhere from days to a couple of weeks after the procedure. For traditional tummy tuck patients, it can take at least two-six weeks to return to desk work.
To find out whether awake skin excision or a traditional tummy tuck is best for you, arrange a consultation at Blue Wolf Transformations in Appleton, WI, Brookfield/Milwaukee, WI, and Gurnee, IL. You and your surgeon will discuss your needs and goals, and then they will determine which surgical option will most effectively achieve them.
Disclaimer: Information presented on this page is intended for general education and may not reflect your personal medical circumstances. Awake skin excisions and tummy tucks involve different risk profiles, techniques, and recovery timelines. Only a licensed provider can determine whether you are medically eligible for any procedure. Results vary and are not guaranteed.
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