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What is a Realistic Expectation for Belly Button Scar After Full TT with Abdominal Hernia Repair?
asked 6 months ago by MaumeeMG
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 356 times
Tags: belly button, expectation, hernia repair, scar
I am getting a full TT with an umbilical hernia repair. The PS mentioned the (slim) chance of the umbilicus dying due to the blood supply needing cut for both procedures. I mentioned wanting to wear a bathing suit after surgery and he said "you will have a belly button scar." I know a new hole is cut in the TT procedure and I've seen other patients whose belly buttons look fine. Will my scar be significantly worse due to the umbilical hernia repair?? I had really hoped to show my new belly off.
14 answers to What is a Realistic Expectation for Belly Button Scar After Full TT with Abdominal Hernia Repair?
+2
Expectation for belly button scar after tummy tuck
That is a loaded question. Everyone scars differently and I haven't seen any pictures of your umbilical hernia.
The main risk is associated with the blood supply to the belly button. It gets cut all the way around and then maybe nearly amputated in order to get the hernia repaired.
If your belly button lives, then it will likely look like most others.
If your belly button dies, then the resultant scar may be difficult.
No one except your surgeon who has seen you and knows...
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+2
Belly Button Scar after Tummy Tuck
Hi there-
The appearance of the belly button after a Tummy Tuck is often one of the things that separates talented and experienced surgeons from others...
On the other hand, there are enough other variables involved in the final appearance of the belly button (including how well the patient follows instructions and the patient's biology), that even the best surgeons can't "hit a home run" every time...
I also completely agree with your surgeon that the umbilical...
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+2
Great Question
Your question is a sign of an artful plastic surgeon. The belly button takes great skill and patience. I always look at a surgeon's belly button it tells me a great deal. You should look at your plastic surgeons before and after photos to see if you like what you see. All plastic surgeons show their best photos so keep this in mind.
However, you have a umbilical hernia which changes things. The skin is thin and the blood supply is sometimes...
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+2
Belly button scar after Abdominoplasty
Performing a full TT with an umbilical hernia repair should not affect the scar around your BB. The skin incisions for the TT remain the same despite the prescence of a hernia. The only time the BB's circulation may be compromised is when there has been an extreme loss of weight, the thicknes of abdominal wall tissue is excessive or when liposuction is combined with this procedure. I hope this helps to clarify your concerns. Best wishes, Dr. H
+2
Belly Button Complications with Tummy Tuck Surgery
The belly button is the scar remnant where the placental blood supply entered into our body. After birth it withers and falls off leaving a scar tunnel. The attractive belly button is an innie with a slight hood over its top portion located in the center of a small depression of the tummy.
The blood supply to the belly button is made up of very small blood vessels that run along its skin and in the adjacent fat. Repeated surgery in that fact or through the belly button such as hernia...
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+2
Belly Button Scar After Full TT with Abdominal Hernia Repair?
There will be a scar around the belly button after a full tummy tuck, whether you have an umbilical hernia or not. Many of us pay a great deal of attention to belly buttons at the time of the tummy tuck, trying to make a natural looking "inny" to hid much of the surrounding scar in the shadow lines of the belly button, taking great care to NOT make the BB too large which looks very unnatural, etc. Repairing an umbilical hernia through the stalk of the belly button after it is...
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+2
Umbilical Scar after Tummy Tuck
As your surgeon stated, there is no way to guarantee a scar will be thin and flat. The hernia can impact the blood supply to the umbilicus, but this is only a problem if you have a very large hernia and a long umbilical stalk. I would recommend another consultation with your plastic surgeon to go over this issue again before surgery.
Donald Griffin, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon
Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+2
What is a Realistic Expectation for Belly Button Scar After Full TT with Abdominal Hernia Repair?
As hard as we the surgeon try we can not guarantee the outcome of any surgery especially the bb with a hernia involved. Best to have a realistic expectation.
+2
Hernia Repair and tummy tuck
During a full tummy tuck, a small circle is cut around the belly button to allow removal of all the skin between your belly button and your pubis. The goal of the surgery is to have the scar end up inside your belly button. Many factors contribute to healing including surgical technique, your nutritional status, smoking status, prevention of infection and genetics.
Good Luck.
+2
Umbilical hernia and navel scarring
The presence of an umbilical hernia should have no effect on the cosmetic appearance of the umbilicus after tummy tuck surgery. The resulting belly button will be determined by how your body heals.
+2
Realistic expectation for umbilical scar after tummy tuck (and umbilical hernia repair)!
You ask a very reasonable question, and your surgeon is giving you good information (but perhaps not enough detail if you still have concerns).
Depending on the size and degree of protrusion and skin stretch your umbilical hernai has caused, your umbilical scar should still be minimally visible after a skillfully-performed tummy tuck, umbilicoplasty, and hernia repair. This is a very common situation for patients who undergo tummy tuck, and most plastic surgeons are not only...
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+2
There should NOT be a scar around your belly button after a tummy tuck
The technique I use for umbilicoplasty is designed to create a slightly 'hooded' appearance to the upper half of the belly button, an appearance that is generally considered fit and athletic. Not all patients have the goal of wearing a two-piece swimsuit, but many do, and I want these patients to be able to do so without feeling self-conscious about the appearance of their new belly button.
+2
Belly button after TT and hernia repair
All of the things that your surgeon said are true. It is impossible to give a promise or guarantee to the quality of scars. These are the basic risks of surgery. Check out your surgeon's results and credentials. If you are happy with them, trust him/her.
+1
Appearance of Belly Button after Tummy Tuck?
You are correct in that the appearance of the bellybutton is of paramount importance to many patients undergoing tummy tuck surgery. A “nice looking” bellybutton, for example will make patients more comfortable wearing two-piece swimming suits.
When the patient has an umbilical hernia the skin overlying the hernia ( the belly button skin) may be stretched out making the potential risks/complications associated with the tummy tuck surgery greater. Furthermore, it may be...
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