Should the Belly Button Be Added Before or After my Abdominoplasty?

After having full-term twins, I developed a small umbilical hernia, separated muscles and now have extra skin and stretch marks. I've seen two plastic surgeons. The first said he would perform the full abdominoplasty and hernia repair, but leave me without a belly button. After a few months of healing, he would add the belly button, which he said could be done in his office. The second surgeon said he would create my new belly button during the initial surgery. Which is the better approach?

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by vivienne21 in Akron, OH

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A Belly Button Saved is a Belly Button Earned

Although the adult belly button does not particularly contribute significantly to any physiologic purpose, it does serve as an anatomic landmark that is met with some degree of visual expectation from a social perspective. With that in mind, and from a purely theoretical standpoint, I believe that most of us would instinctively prefer to preserve the belly button of our patients whenever possible when we are performing a tummy tuck with and without a hernia repair, and, from a... more

Beware of the Belly Button Bandit!

Even with a "small" -- or large -- umbilical hernia, the belly button (umbilicus) is not typically removed during a tummy tuck. It is quite common to repair even a large umbilical hernia during tummy tuck surgery. Without seeing you, I cannot know the specifics of your case, but the umbilical hernia should be repaired and the belly button should be restored during your tummy tuck surgery. Re-shaping a stretched or distorted umbilicus is often part of... more

"Adding" belly button during or after tummy tuck and umbilical hernia repair?

Unless your umbilical hernia is very large (completely pushing out your umbilicus) or has been operated on several times with scarring and decreased circulation, removing your belly button at the time of tummy tuck and "adding" a new one later is an unusual, rare, (but not entirely unreasonable or unheard-of) approach. The vast majority of experienced plastic surgeons will repair your umbilical hernia at the time of tummy tuck and muscle sheath plication, and restore your own... more

No Belly Button? How strange

Aesthetically, the belly button is pretty important. Granted, there is no great physiologic reason for the adult belly button, but just think how strange we would all look without one! Now, even though it may be a short time period spent without one (your first surgeon's suggestion), it probably is an unnecessary approach, although without examing you, it's difficult to be completely sure. It is not uncommon to fix an umbilical hernia during an abdominoplasty, and be able to... more

Tommy Talk and Umbilical Hernia Repair?

Thank you for the question. Repair of an umbilical hernia is not infrequently necessary when performing a tummy tuck operation. The bellybutton should be preserved and “reconstructed” to look as normal as possible. There is generally no need for a two-stage procedure. Generally, the appearance of the umbilicus after tummy tuck surgery is of critical importance to many patients. Essentially, it is the only scar visible when patients are wearing undergarments or... more

Should my belly button be removed during tummy tuck and a new one made later?

I have not heard of removing a belly button at the time of a tummy tuck, even in the presence of an umbilical hernia, and then making a new one at the same time or at a later procedure. What I, and I suspect most plastic surgeons, do is to repair the umbilical hernia at the time of the tummy tuck, preserving the belly button and trying to make an "inny" and a smaller, less stretched out belly button. It is true that taking the umbilical stalk apart to repair a large... more

Waste (belly button) not, want (want belly) not

Hello, There is no need to discard a perfectly good belly button. Regardless of umbilical hernia, the belly button can be repaired and used. Although creating a new belly button can aesthetically successful, it is an unecessary step. I recommend repairing the hernia at the same time as the tummy tuck and rejuvenating the belly button shape to match your new tummy. All the best, Dr. Remus Repta Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ

Should the Belly Button Be Added Before or After my Abdominoplasty?

As always please post your photos with your questions/concerns/issues. In general I know of no boarded PS would would sacrifice an umbilicus unless you have a very very large hernia. So the first doc you saw sounds very different. Plus I could not "make" a new BB in my office under local. Be careful out there.

Belly button usually not removed during tummy tuck

Without photographs or without physical examination, it would be impossible to comment specifically on your case. However, generally speaking, your own belly button is left intact during an abdominoplasty even with repair of umbilical hernia. However, it is possible that the umbilical hernia is so large that it has completely eradicated your own belly button and another one has to be created surgically. When it is done would be the preference of the surgeon. more

Umbilical hernia

I have never seen you so I cannot comment on the specifics of your case,however I would not typically remove a belly button for a repair of an umbilical hernia. I would usually repair the hernia and perform the abdominoplasty at the same time.

Belly button in abdominoplasty

The answer to this question depends a great deal on the surgeon's training and experience. In my practice, I prefer to do everything in one operation. There is usually more than one way to accomplish a goal and so it is paramount that you choose a board certified plastic surgeon with a lot of experience in performing abdominoplasty. Go with a surgeon you feel most comfortable with.