Options to Correct Stomach After Mini Tummy Tuck?

I had a Mini Tummy Tuck 6 weeks ago. My belly button looks like a long line and surrounded with loose skin. I also have a bulge over the incision. My plastic surgeon said I cannot have a full Tummy Tuck anymore because he cut the belly button from the stalk. The only blood supply to the belly button now is through skin, so he can't cut skin around it. What are my other options do I have to correct my stomach?

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abdomen stomach revision

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by juliana5 in LosAngeles, California

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Mini or full tummy tuck?

Unfortunately there are no good options in regards to the umbilicus given the type of surgery that has been done. Although a full tummy tuck is an option you will need to be prepared to lose the umbilicus or have one re-created (usually with less than ideal results). In general, in my opinion, the mini tummy talk is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the... more

Mini Tummy Tuck VS Full Tummy Tuck

A full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) probably would have been a better option for you. If your original surgeon is a board certified plastic surgeon I would suggest that you schedule a post-operative evaluation to discuss your concerns and learn more about the specific treatment options which would best address your needs. If you have lost confidence or your surgeon is not a board certified plastic surgeon, I would suggest that you obtain a second opinion with an experience, reputable,... more

Abdomen options

You probably would have been a better candidate to have a full tummy tuck initially. You can always opt for a reverse abdominoplasty or perhaps a full abdominoiplasty and a later umbilical reconstruction.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

How to correct a mini tummy tuck

There are multiple ways to correct a Mini tummy tuck. Keep in mind that after a mini tummy tuck you should expect a significant recovery process this may last up to 6 to 8 months. If after that time, you still are unsatisfied with the results there are multiple things that we can do. The bellybutton can be repaired within the local plastic to improve the shape, change the position, or remove a small of the extra skin above the bellybutton. The tummy tuck scar itself may be made thinner... more

Belly button after mini-tuck

Thanks for your question - This is a challenging situation. Once the umbilicus (belly button) has been separated from its native blood suppy it makes repeat abdominoplasty more challenging because you cannot reposition the umbilicus relative to the abdominal skin. A repeat mini in combination with liposuction may be an option but it is likely that you're umbilicus will likely be positioned more inferiorly than you might prefer. A more drastic option would be a full abdominoplasty with... more

You can have a full after a mini tummy tuck but you may need neo-umbilicoplasty

This is a difficult problem and you may want to risk losing your belly button and having a neo-umbilicoplasty performed. Your surgeon is correct and you may want to obtain other opinions to corroborate this. However, it really depends on how unhappy you are with the appearance with your abdomen.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

How attached are you to your belly button?

Juliana, Looks like you are realizing the limitations of the mini-tummy tuck. I don't think that there is much question that your tummy would have the flattest appearance if you went back and did a full Tummy Tuck. Liposuction of the abdomen without removing the excess skin would improve things, but the bulge over the scar wouldn't be eliminated. The worst case scenario for your belly button might be to go ahead with the full tummy tuck anyway, and let whatever happens to your belly button... more