Belly button and abdominoplasty

There is substantially more information I would need in order to give an opinion on your specific case.

In general, we save the belly button and repair the diastasis around it. Unless there is something unique about your situation, most doctors would make every effort to save the belly button.

Having said that, if you think about it, all the belly button is a scar after the umbilical cord is cut. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon, and also your concerns about mesh. Remember, the most important part of getting a good result from plastic surgery is the surgeon you choose.

A diasthasis is a weakening in the midline of your abdomen and is common after pregnancy and weight changes. This can be repaired by tightening this area. Usually, removal of the belly button is not necessary. It seems that you also have an umbilical hernia, and this is probably why your PS mentioned that belly button removal is a possibility. An umbilical hernia may disrupt the blood supply to the belly button, placing it at risk during the repair. So, loss is possible in some cases. Many surgeons are able to immediately reconstruct a new belly button in this situation, so this is worth asking your surgeon about.

Regarding your other concern, mesh is commonly used and carries low risk for infection. There are some other materials such as dermal matrix which may also be appropriate and may carry a lower risk of infection. Using mesh or dermal matrix may be necessary to strengthen the repair and the small risks associated is probably worth taking in order to avoid a recurrence of your problem.

Obviously this should not replace an in depth discussion with your own PS, so speak to your PS about this....