Most doctors remove an ellipse of skin from the lower abdomen and tighten the muscles beneath that area. Many do liposuction of the abdomen at the same time. Most patients are happier asleep. You can choose. Most of the time this is an outpatient operation and a stay in the hospital is not needed.
All operations have some risk.
The risks of surgery are divided into two groups. First those that are seen in all operations and second those that are unique or special for this operation. In the first group, the main risks are swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, a scar and numbness or change in feeling. The main problems which are special for this operation are the scar of the lower abdomen and irregularity from the liposuction. Most people are back to work within a week or two.