Awake Mini Tummy Tuck + Liposuction in One Procedure
Loose skin on the lower belly and stubborn fat above it are two different problems, and they’re often treated in two separate surgeries. At Innovations Medical, Dr. Bill Johnson treats both in one awake procedure: a mini tummy tuck that removes loose lower-belly skin, plus liposuction to contour the upper abdomen and waist. You stay comfortable under local anesthesia, with no general anesthesia, and you recover once.
We’ve performed awake procedures in Dallas since 2007, with 6,000+ awake liposuction cases.
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What the awake mini tummy tuck + lipo includes
- Lower-belly skin removal: loose, crepey or overhanging skin below the belly button (the “pooch” or C-section shelf) is removed through a low incision that can usually be hidden under underwear or a swimsuit.
- Liposuction in the same surgery (included): fat on the upper, lower and lateral abdomen (flanks/sides) is reduced with liposuction rather than skin excision, so the whole midsection is contoured together.
- No muscle plication and no skin removal above the navel. This is a focused, lower-belly procedure, and that focus is what makes it possible to do awake.
Two procedures in one, with one recovery
With a traditional approach, the skin portion and the liposuction are often staged: the tuck first, then liposuction about six weeks later as a second surgery, with a second anesthesia, a second recovery and more time away from work and family.
The awake approach combines them:
- One procedure: skin removal and liposuction on the same day
- No general anesthesia: no breathing tube, and none of the post-anesthesia nausea and fog many patients dread
- One recovery period instead of two
- In-office and same-day: walk in, have your procedure, and go home with a companion
Awake Tummy Tuck is a common part of our Awake Mommy Makeover package.
How the procedure works
- Marking: while standing, so skin and fat are mapped as they look in daily life.
- Numbing: tumescent local anesthesia across the abdomen and flanks. You’re awake, and oral comfort medication is available.
- Liposuction: the upper abdomen, waist and flanks are contoured.
- Lower-belly skin removal: loose skin below the navel is removed and the incision is closed.
- Home the same day in your compression garment (purchased separately; see our recommended garments), with a companion.
Is it right for you? An honest candidacy check
This procedure is often a good fit if you have:
- Loose or excess skin mainly below the belly button, for example after pregnancy, a C-section or weight loss
- Stubborn fat on the upper abdomen, waist or flanks that liposuction can address
- Reasonably firm abdominal muscles, with no significant separation
- A stable weight, good general health, and no smoking (or willingness to stop)
- A preference to avoid general anesthesia
A traditional full tummy tuck with muscle repair may be the better choice if you have:
- Significant diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation), for example a bulge down the middle of the belly that remains when you’re lean
- Loose skin above the navel, or skin that hangs over the entire abdomen
- A large amount of excess skin after major weight loss, including bariatric surgery or substantial GLP-1 medication weight loss
Those situations call for muscle plication and wider skin removal, which this awake procedure doesn’t include. If that’s what you need, Dr. Johnson will tell you directly at your consultation, and if liposuction alone would serve you better, he’ll tell you that too. Results vary from person to person.
Related: Tummy tuck vs. liposuction · Types of tummy tucks
Awake Tummy Tuck Recovery in Dallas
- Day of: walk out with a companion
- Week 1: about one week at home; most patients then return to desk work. Light walking is encouraged, and swelling, tightness and drainage are normal.
- Weeks 1–6: expect soreness and swelling for about six weeks while you ease back into normal routines; return to exercise gradually as cleared
- Months 3–6: swelling settles and the contour refines; the scar continues to fade over the following year
Read more: Awake tummy tuck recovery · What to eat after a tummy tuck · How to prepare
Tummy Tuck Scarring
Watch: Dr. Johnson Explains Tummy Tuck Scar Placement
Patient Results
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Pricing
From $12,500, including the mini tummy tuck and awake liposuction of the upper, lower and lateral abdomen (flanks/sides). Liposuction of other areas, such as the back, arms or thighs, is quoted separately. Your quote covers Dr. Johnson’s surgical fee, local anesthesia and the in-office procedure suite, with no separate anesthesiologist or hospital fee. Compression garments are not included in the procedure price. They’re purchased separately, and you can find our recommended compression garments on our site. Your final price depends on how much skin and fat are treated and whether additional liposuction areas are added. You’ll get a written quote at your consultation. 0% financing is available for up to 24 months for qualified patients.
Schedule Your Awake Tummy Tuck Consultation Today!
If you have loose skin below the belly button and stubborn fat on the upper abdomen, an awake mini tummy tuck with liposuction may be right for you.
Learn more about our 0% financing for qualified patients.
Call us today to schedule your consultation or book online now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the awake mini tummy tuck cost?
From $12,500, including the mini tuck and awake liposuction of the upper, lower and lateral abdomen (flanks/sides) in the same procedure. Other lipo areas are extra. The price also covers local anesthesia and the in-office suite, with no anesthesiologist or hospital fee. 0% financing is available for up to 24 months.
Is this a full tummy tuck?
No. It’s a mini tummy tuck: it removes loose skin below the navel and uses liposuction for the upper abdomen. It doesn’t include muscle repair or skin removal above the navel.
Why combine the tuck and liposuction?
Doing both in one procedure means one recovery instead of two, and the whole midsection is contoured at the same time.
What if I have muscle separation (diastasis)?
Significant diastasis usually calls for a traditional full tummy tuck with muscle repair. Dr. Johnson will assess it at your consultation.
How long is recovery?
Most patients return to desk work after about one week, then expect about six weeks of gradually fading soreness and swelling.
Will I feel pain?
The area is numbed with local anesthesia. Most patients describe pressure and pulling rather than pain during the procedure.
Where is the scar?
Low on the abdomen and shorter than a full tummy tuck scar. It’s usually placed so underwear or a swimsuit can cover it.
Can it fix a C-section shelf?
Often, yes. Loose skin and fat over a C-section scar are a common reason patients choose this procedure.
Meet Dr. Bill Johnson - Dallas's Awake Tummy Tuck Expert
Dr. Bill Johnson has practiced awake cosmetic surgery in Dallas since 2007 and has been a physician since 1983.
Education & Credentials:
- Board-certified physician
- Internal Medicine specialization
- Awake cosmetic surgery since 2007
- Ongoing advanced training in awake surgical techniques
Experience:
- 6,000+ awake liposuction cases
- Innovations Medical established 2005
Media: Featured on Good Morning Texas.
Honest Communication: Dr. Johnson tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. If this procedure isn’t right for you, he’ll say so.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bill Johnson, physician since 1983.
Convenient Awake Tummy Tuck Location in Dallas
Innovations Medical – Dallas
12660 Coit Rd, #100S
Dallas, TX 75251
Serving these Dallas-area communities:
- Dallas (all neighborhoods)
- Highland Park
- University Park
- Preston Hollow
- Uptown Dallas
- Lakewood
- Lake Highlands
- North Dallas
- Plano
- Frisco
- McKinney
- Allen
- Richardson
- Carrollton
- Addison
- Irving
- Garland
- Mesquite
Easy Access: Our Dallas office is conveniently located just off I-635 near Coit Road, with easy access to:
- Dallas Love Field Airport (15 minutes)
- DFW International Airport (25 minutes)
- Downtown Dallas (20 minutes)
- Highland Park/University Park (15 minutes)
Out-of-State Patients: We regularly welcome patients traveling to Dallas from across the U.S. for Dr. Johnson’s awake tummy tuck expertise. We can help coordinate:
- Hotel included
- Virtual follow-ups after return home
