I Have a Scarred, Ugly Belly Button. Will Getting A Tummy Tuck Give Me A New One Or Will I Have To Keep the Original One?

asked 1 year ago by bettyboob69 in San Antonio, TX
Latest answer by Rodger Wade Pielet, MD
Question viewed 580 times
Tags: belly button, female, hernia repair

The reason why I want to know is because back in 2009 I had umbilical hernia surgery and the doctor left my belly button all deformed like a triangle even though before the surgery I had an ovally, circle, cute shape. Then later I found out I never had the hernia to begin with, he just confused my diastasis recti for a hernia so now i'm stuck with an ugly belly button for life. So my main concern is will getting a tummy tuck fix my bellybutton as well and remove the scar right under it?

8 answers to I Have a Scarred, Ugly Belly Button. Will Getting A Tummy Tuck Give Me A New One Or Will I Have To Keep the Original One?

Umbilical scar

The skin is divided and free from the underlying abdominal wall, in order to advance down as a unit. An incision is made around the umbilicus skin, however the stalk is still attached to the abdominal wall, then brought through a new skin button. This will give the surgeon an opportunity to create a more appealing scar. Do discuss this with your surgeon. Good luck.

Rodger Wade Pielet, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck and Belly Buttons

Since we try to create a natural belly button during a tummy tuck, it is quite possible that yours will look significantly better after abdominoplasty than before. The deformity you describe is probably due to scar. This can be removed during the tummy tuck unless you basically lost your belly button from the hernia surgery. If that is the case, your belly button can be rebuilt.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Belly Buttons and Tummy Tucks

It is very likely that your belly button will look better after a tummy tuck. It would be very helpful for your plastic surgeon to have the operative record from the hernia surgery to help ascertain whether the belly button was completely detached or not. That will influence what can be done and how it would be done. It is also possible that a revision of your belly button without a full tummy tuck might improve your appearance.

Jeffrey E. Kyllo, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck after umbilical hernia repair

Tummy tucks after umbilical hernia repairs can be tricky depending on how "aggressive" the general surgeon was during fixing you hernia. Often general surgeons will detach the umbilicus then fix the hernia and then sew the belly button back down to the abdominal wall. This serves to greatly limit the PS options during a tummy tuck as we often rely on the blood supply from the base of the belly button (cut during the hernia repair). You... more

Delio Ortegon, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

www.sacs-sa.com

Belly button appearance after tummy tuck

When a full tummy tuck is performed, an incision is made around the belly button, it is left in place, and later brought out through a new opening, creating a new shape for the umbilicus and a new scar around the belly button. Whether or not this would improve your appearance depends upon your current belly button skin and how the current scars are positioned. Your questions should be easily answered during a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck... more

Craig S. Rock, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck may improve a belly button

It is possible that the tummy tuck may improve a scarred belly button from a prior hernia repair, though tummy tuck will preserve your own belly button. The belly button is not 'new'. Without an examination it is hard for us to say just what might happen. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Belly buttons and tummy tucks

It's hard to say for sure without a photo but usually the belly buttons look much better after a tummy tuck because lax skin and scars and ring holes can be removed. Hopefully that can work for you but see some excellent plastic surgeons for definitive opinions.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Addressing a scarred belly button during a tummy tuck

It is possible that your belly button can be improved in appearance when you undergo a tummy tuck. Then again, it may not be. The reason for these opposite assessments is that what could be done would depend on exactly what you have anatomically right now and without a photo, this would be difficult to provide you with an accurate prognosis. If you true umbilicus was completely or partially destroyed from the surgery, then the prognosis is more guarded whereas if there are just thick or... more