Liposuction and Belly Button Repair Instead of Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by ashhull in Nampa, ID
Latest answer by Richard H. Fryer, MD
Question viewed 1,120 times
Tags: belly button, female, comparison, pooch

I initially contacted a doctor in UT about a tummy tuck and through an online consultation he said I wouldn't need one, just a bit of lipo and my belly button fixed. I have a very small baby pooch and also want my belly button back to an "innie". What procedure is he speaking of to repair my belly button? I can't find much information. I sent him several photos. What is your opinion just based off my photo? I don't really have any "extra" skin when I bend over, just a little pooch of fat.

11 answers to Liposuction and Belly Button Repair Instead of Tummy Tuck?

Please don't have a tummy tuck!

Dear Ashhull You have a beautiful tummy, professionally speaking. Unfortunately in this line of work, if you knock on enough doors, someone will do what you ask. It is true that your tummy skin has been stretched presumably by a pregnancy. However, the overall shape of your tummy and even your belly button is way better than most. Of course you are probably looking for the tummy you had in high school so it is a tough comparison. Here is the thing, the... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Liposuction and belly button repair.

I know you asked this question a while ago, but I thought it was still very worth a response. You probably don't need a tummy tuck -- at least not a full tummy tuck. You could probably get by with a little liposuction and repair of the belly button, but it completely depends on your goals and your expectations. I agree that an exam is more helpful in helping you to determine what you really want or need to have done. I have multiple different treatment... more

Richard H. Fryer, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction and Belly Button Repair Instead of Tummy Tuck

It has been said that a photo is worth a thousand words and in this case an examination of your abdomen would be worth a thousand photos. Why? It is important to evaluate your skin tone(you appear to have many stretch marks) , condition of the abdominal muscles, presence of an umbilical hernia (belly button), and an evaluation of abdominal fat. Having said that , It does appear that you have many stretch marks, a small umbilical hernia and a small amount of abdominal fat and... more

Donald M. Brown, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.drdonaldbrown.com

Stretch marks. Outie belly button, and belly bulge

From your photo I can see a small umibilcal hernia, modest localized fat and stretch marks. I cannot comment on your rectus muscle diastasis (separation) and that is a critical poriton of the decision making process. Nothing will likely get rid of the stretch marks completely. Your belly button could be improved with a herniorraphy. Liposuction would diminish the fat.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

Based on your photos, you do not look like a candidate for a tummy tuck. It appears as though you have a widening of the rectus muscles. This won't be corrected with liposuction alone. It is possible to have a tightening of the muscles through an incision around the belly button. The belly button can also be corrected at the same time.

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Umbilicoplasty will improve the appearance of your belly button

An umbilicoplasty will improve your belly button by removing the excess skin of the belly button and is also combined with an umbilical hernia repair. It is impossible tot tell from the photos alone if you actually have an umbilical hernia (hernia = opening). It is possible that there is no opening anymore and what you are seeing is just a small lump of fat that was trapped. Regardless, this can be improved. I agree with my colleague who said that a well done umbilicoplasty is... more

Matthew Schulman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction and belly button repair should work.

Hi. You are definitely not a candidate for a tummy tuck. Your abdomen looks quite good. I would recommend minimal liposuction and a well done (this can be technically difficult) umbilicoplasty.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction and Belly Button Repair Instead of Tummy Tuck

Thanks for the photos. Yes I would ONLY do Smart Lipo on you with the repair of the umbilicus as ther correct choice. DO not do a tummy tuck you are not a good candidate!

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Umbilicoplasty

Liposuction and umbilcoplasty will probably not give you the best result. Of course an exam is critical. However, I have not been impressed with umbilicoplasties in patients that have lax skin or poor quality tissues. A full abdominopalsty usually is the best route to take.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Umbilical Hernia Repair and Liposuction

Umbilical hernia repair is a common procedure which can be performed at the time of liposuction or abdominoplasty. If you want your stretch marks removed, then you will need to have a tummy tuck / abdominoplasty. If you are just looking for volume reduction, then liposuction is an alternative. Good luck with your procedure. I would suggest going to a board-certified plastic surgeon to address your concerns.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Liposuction and Belly Button Repair Instead of Tummy Tuck

Contrary to an eye doctors opinion about your tummy, the doc at UT was correct. You have an umbilical hernia which when repaired by a SURGEON will give you the "inny" you want. Liposuction of your abdomen is also very appropriate in your case and likely to give you the result you desire if performed by a properly trained surgoen. You are not appropriate for an abdominoplasty.