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Removing Belly Button for Diastasis Repair Necessary?

I have a severe diastasis after my twin pregnancy, I was told that I also have an umbiblical hernia. I want to have a tummy tuck and abdominal reconstruction. The last surgeon I consulted with said that he may have to remove my belly button to close the diastasis completely. I am very concerned about this. Is it necessary? Is there a way to "move" the belly button? Also he wants to use mesh on the repair and I have heard some negative things about using mesh. Can you please give me some advice?

Asked 29 months ago by 3boysmom in California

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Repair of Abdominal Diastasis & Hernia

I can think of no reason to remove the umbilicus or for use of mesh to repair an abdominal diastasis. This would not even be necessary with a large umbilical hernia. It is the risk of reducing the blood supply to the umbilicus with the folding of the tissue during the repair of the diastasis that is of major concern. Umbilical herniorrhaphy increases this risk. This should not be a problem, however, if one is careful in defining the edges of the hernia and with suture placement during the... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

You don't need mesh for diastasis repair and you can keep your navel

Unless you have some extraordinary anatomical distortion, you can expect a good result with diastasis repair and maintenance of your belly button. I have done many hundreds of these operations and unless there has been some tissue loss from trauma or something else, mesh is never necessary. Furthermore, I have never had to remove a belly button ever.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Diastasis Repair

Thank you for the question. Diastasis repair can be performed without “removing” the umbilicus and/or the use of mesh. Best wishes.

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Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Diastasis repair

There is no reason to remove the umbilicus to perform a diastasis repair. the umbilicus must either be 'floated' and left connected to the outside skin, or left attached to the abdominal wall and moved in relation to the abdominal skin if an extensive abdominoplasty is planned. I would stay far away from mesh especially if it is your first repair. It is rarely necessary and opens you to a host of possible complications. I hope this helps! All the... more

Rian Maercks, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

Abdominal hernia, abdominoplasty with diastasis

Severe diastasis of the abdominal muscles with an accompanying umbilical hernia may be more difficult to repair, but this condition is not unique for women after having multiple pregnancies. The belly button should be able to remain in its current location,even in very weak muscle repairs. I would always recommend multiple opinions before you would proceed with surgery. I certainly feel that any opinion that I would put forth has to be accepted as only a general... more

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Uusally not necessary to remove belly button

It is usually not necessary to completely remove the belly button during tummy tuck surgery, even to repair a diastasis. However, only a plastic surgeon can adequately advise you following a thorough physical examination. see video

James Tang, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Belly Button Removal

The belly button should be able to be preserved during a rectus diastasis repair unless the umbilical hernia you describe is extremely large and/or other surgical scars are present at the belly button. Have you had other umbilical hernia repairs or laparoscopic procedures in the past? Mesh seems unnecessary unless this hernia is more complicated than you describe.

Brian M. Braithwaite, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Removing the Belly Button in Severe Diastasis Recti.

It is in general NOT neccessary to remove the belly button during diastasis repair, I have repaired many very wide diastases and never had to remove the belly button, even when combined with hernia repair, Whether to use mesh is a personal preference, but it can increase incidence of infection since it is a foreign body. It sounds like you should get some more opinions before proceeding with surgery. Good Luck

Johan E. Brahme, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Clarify abdominal hernia verus diastasis with tummy tuck

There are many options for this and this is not the only solution. I would obtain other recommendations or consultations. There seems to be some confusion between an umbilical hernia and a diastasis. Although these two are different, they do commonly occur together.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Diastasis correction

You may be able to "float" the belly button in order to save it. This is done for mini-tummy tucks that are combined with liposuction in cases of minimal excess skin. Mesh can be used for a hernia repair, but there are also some dermal allografts available that offer some benefits over mesh. Strattice and SurgiMend are two examples. Ask your surgeon about these options. Good luck!

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Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Repair of severe pregnancy related abdominal stretching

Dear 3boysmom, Regarding : "The last surgeon I consulted with said that he may have to remove my belly button to close the diastasis completely. I am very concerned about this. Is it necessary? Is there a way to "move" the belly button? " Since I was not in the room hearing what the surgeon in question actually told you and have not had the opportunity of examining you, my comments must be general in nature. Like many of my colleagues below, I have had a large experience... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Belly Button & Diastasis Repair

Only in a very unusual circumstance would the umbilicus need to be removed when doing a diastasis repair. Often the umbilical stalk is relocated to a different position on the abdominal wall. There are also newer materials than mesh available which generally have fewer complications. If you are unsure, you can always request a second opinion.

John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Diastasis repair usually doesn't require removing the bellybutton

As Dr. Yuan describes, the most likely scenario is to "float " the bellybutton which is done with a mini-abdominoplasty. Your situation must be very severe if your surgeon has recommended mesh, so without knowing more none of us can give you really accurate advice however. I might suggest that you ask about using Alloderm or Strattice rather than synthetic mesh though, they are very strong but will likely feel more natural.

Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Rectus diastasis and belly button removal

It's unusual to remove the belly button to repair rectus diastasis. Usually, when a plastic surgeon repairs diastasis, the belly button is incised from the abdominal skin and re-located to a new position with the surgery. Is it possible that you misunderstood your surgeon? If he insists upon removing the belly button, it may be worthwhile to consult with another board certified plastic surgeon to ascertain whether there is a consensus of opinion. Mesh is usually used with umbiical or... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Removing belly button during diasthasis repair

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.... more

Matthew Schulman, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Abdominal diastasis and hernia

I think he means that he might "float" the belly button. This would dictate a modified, not full, abdominoplasty. In general, we do not take off: the belly button but can lift it off from its stalk in continuity with the overlying and surrounding skin flap. Mesh has its use, but unless it is a very extreme hernia or diastasis that prevents a tight closure with normal muscle and fascia, it isprobably not necessary. But that would require an exam to determine. Some surgeon will... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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... more

Darrick E. Antell, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Stretched abdomen tissues

Hello, Severe diastasis repairs can be difficult as the tissues are very thin and are prone to stretching again. Mesh can provide support, but it can also become infected and that is a bigger problem especially under thin tissues. I tend to avoid mesh repairs for this reason. I am not sure your doc plans on removing your belly button as opposed to just moving it. If your tissues near your belly button are really stretched, the surgeon kinda has to design a new one with the tissues that are... more