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Umbilicoplasty Revision for Slim Patient?

asked 2 years ago by valentine69 in san francisco
Latest answer by Charles Virden, MD
Question viewed 1,594 times
Tags: belly button, 110-129 lbs, 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in

I recently had a full abdominoplasty with Muscle Repair. I'm 5'2 and 115 lbs. My plastic surgeon is board certified and is highly regarded, and his photos looked good. He told me on my first post-op visit that my belly button did not turn out well. It is a completely flat scar, with no depth or hooding. He is willing to do a revision but said he's not sure what he can do, since he says I have little subcutaneous fat. I'm reluctant to do a revision if he can't fix it, and am wondering if another doctor could fix it. Any advice?

13 answers to Umbilicoplasty Revision for Slim Patient?

Hiding the Belly button scar in thin patients

Tough problem! A lack of subcutaneous fat is a contributing cause, or leaving the umbilical stalk to long may been a factor. To assist you further a photo would have been very helpful. Tacking the skin very close to the fascia and doing a little fat transfer might just do the trick enough to get you happy.

Charles Virden, MD
Reno Plastic Surgeon

Need to see the problem...

Hello, In order to figure what might be possible I need to see what the problem looks like. An examination is better. There might be something to do but without looking at you it is hard to predict. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

No definition of umbilicus

Without seeing photos of your before and after, it is difficult to tell you if it would be worthwhile for you to under go an umbilicoplasty revision. There are several things that can create a not-so-perfect belly button after abdominoplasty, and some can easily be corrected, and some are more difficult. If you have lost confidence in your surgeon, I would recommend getting a second and possibly even third opinion. You may end up having more confidence in your original surgeon if you hear... more

Amy T. Bandy, DO
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Umbilicoplasty following abdominoplasty

I have observed this in extremely thin patients. It is difficult to create a hooded or deep umbilicus there is no thickness to the walls of the umbilicus.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Umbilicoplasty after tummy tuck

At your height and weight, the thin layer of abdominal subcutaneous fat might have made it impossible to achieve any depth for the belly button. If, however, there is a little fat around the umbi it can be re-opened and stitched down to the muscles and the skin brought down to give more depth and character. Remember that sometimes your body won't allow even the best plastic surgeon to give you exactly what you had hoped for.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Umbilicoplasty After Tummy Tuck

I think your doctor shouldn't jump to conclusions. When I redo the belly button during a tummy tuck I suture or stitch the top of the belly button to the fascia or the thick layer of tissue over the muscle. This pulls the belly button down to create the depression that women have. However, unless it's 6 months out your surgeon is jumping to conclusions (unless he knows what happened during surgery). So give it time and if it's not good after 6 months see someone who can create a good... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Umbilicoplasty (Belly Button) revision

The outcome of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery is commonly not only dependent on how we, the plastic surgeons, perform an operation ("play the cards") but also on your presenting anatomy ("the cards you deal us"). Post-operatively, a round belly button (not a vertical slit), " innie" with depth and hooding is the goal of a well done umbilicoplasty (which is part of the Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) procedure. But it is not always completely achievable. The deep /... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Your surgeon may be correct

The depth of your belly button depends on a couple of factors: How short your umbilical stalk was in the first place, and if it was shortened intra-operatively. How thick your abdominal flap was at the time the belly button was inset into it. You describe yourself as thin, and certainly if you had a full tummy tuck, your abdominal tissues are stretched even thinner. If your belly button was not shortened intra-op (it probably was not, since you are not obese), then my advice would be to... more

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

A photo will be helpful

If your doctor does not feel comfortable to do the revision, I would suggest that you follow his advise. He has opearted on you and he knows the anatomy of your abdomin and also the reason that it did not turn as you both expected. Please submit a picture.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

How to make a nice umbilicoplasty on a slim patient

Your surgeon is right that making a nice belly button on a slim patient is very difficult, because there is no way to create the natural depth. The best thing in my experience is to try to create more of a hood across the top, which can be done under local anesthesia. it's worth giving it a shot because a nice umbiilicoplasty is one of the hallmarks of a good abdominoplasty and I am sure your plastic surgeon want to make it better.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Umbilicus revision after abdominoplasty - What makes a natural belly button

The umbilical appearance is somewhat crucial after abdominoplasty as it is harder to hide than the lower transverse scar with usual summer clothing/bathing suits. The hardest thing to fix afterwards would be an umbilicus that is not on the midline. In fact that may not be completely fixable. What makes the belly button look natural after surgery is as you stated depth and upper hooding when standing upright but also a more or less vertical ellipse outline with a scar that lies in the depths... more

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Umbilicus revision after abdominoplasty

Hi, I would recommend returning to your initial surgeon and allowing him to attempt a revision. He is being very fair in giving you all of the information about the potential results, in order to keep your expectations realistic. If you are happy with the rest of your results, give your surgeon a chance. Good luck.

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Not much can be done for umbilicoplasty revision for slim patient

I have been there. For very thin patients getting any "depth" to the belly button can be difficult. You may not be able to do much, even with a different surgeon.