Tummy Tuck: Q&A
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Slit for Belly Button?
I had tummy tuck and lipo...it's been 8 weeks now and my belly button is a mere small slit . What I am wondering is.. do we need a belly button to be open or can it just be left this way or is it ugly? I really don't want to go thru another surgery for something that really healthwise doesn't matter.
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13 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Bullet
in Peoria, AZ
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Belly Button following tummy tuck
A full abdominoplasty requires the surgical creation of a new belly button. Creating the new belly button, which is called an umbilicoplasty, is a part of tummy tuck surgery that requires a great deal of attention and finesse on the part of the surgeon. My goal is to create a new belly button that, as much as possible, resembles a 'natural' belly button. Natural belly buttons do NOT look like a perfect circle, and circular umbilicoplasty scars are a tummy tuck dead giveaway.
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Small Slit for Belly Button after Tummy Tuck
If the slit is large enough a marble or something similar can be helpful for preventing further contraction. If you are a hypertrophic scar or keloid scar former, belly button constriction is far more common. This can be fixed in a 10 minute office procedure under local anesthesia.
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Belly button "touch-ups" can work well.
You are still early in your recovery from tummy tuck surgery. If you are bother by it at all, then consider a revision which is typically performed in office setting under local anesthesia. I typically wait at least 6 months to perform a revision. Not to worry too much!
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Unattractive Belly Button
The umbilicus (belly button) is not a necessary structure. If you are not satisfied with the aesthetics of your belly button then you are not obligated to correct it . The are not health consequences.
Dr. ES
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Concern for a slit like belly button
Having a small, slit like belly button is not usually a medically concerning issue except for the problem at times of keeping it clean as it may accumulate material. It can be an aesthetic detraction, particularly if you do not like its appearance. You are still early in the healing process so for a variety of reasons, I would wait another few months before undergoing a revision if it is still indicated.
Presently, I would mention your concerns of its shape and size with your plastic...
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Small belly button after tummy tuck
At this point you are still early in your recovery from tummy tuck surgery. If you are ok with the belly button appearance then you don't need additional surgery to correct it. The only thing with a very small belly button is that it's difficult to clean. If you are bother by it at all, then consider a revision which is typically performed in office setting under local anesthesia. I usually will perform it after 6 to 9 months from the initial surgery.
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Small umbilical opening following an abdominoplasty
It is certainly possible that your umbilical opening will change over time. Eight weeks is very early in the healing process. At times the umbilical opening will contract down and get very small. In these cases a minor revision may be necessary. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.
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The belly button may appear too small due to swelling
At first, the belly button may appear to be small and when the swelling around the belly button goes away it will appear to be the proper size it was designed to be. This is the most common reason that the belly button appears too small immediately after surgery. It may take 6 months to see the final result. You should speak to your plastic surgeon about this.
see video
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Belly button after tummy tuck
Belly button after tummy tuck
too small is easier to fix than too big
small procedure under local
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Not necessary to "fix" belly button
The shape of the belly button after a tummy tuck is dependent on the surgeon and the technique used for your surgery. In general, there is no health risk to leaving your belly button as it is. If you are unhappy with the shape, or if you are having problems, a small surgery can be done to change the size and shape. This is often done with local anesthesia. There is no harm in waiting, either, to decide if you are satisfied with how it looks.
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