I had a tummy tuck seven weeks ago. I am very dissatisfied with my small, narrow belly button. The belly button itself simply isn't big enough. It's too narrow and small, and the scar around it is obvious. Is there hope for a rounder, larger better-looking belly button for me? When is the soonest time I should seek out a revision? Can the belly button hole be made bigger, and the scar less noticeable? (My surgeon tells me a revision will make my bb look like a large bulls-eye.)
Answer: Belly button shape after tummy tuck There may be reasons the belly button looks as it does, i.e. hernia repair, native size of the belly button, post surgical swelling etc.You may want to wait until all the swelling has resolved before considering a revision. Ultimately it is your belly button, so it should look the way you want it- provided it can be done safely and within the constraints of the underlying anatomy.
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Answer: Belly button shape after tummy tuck There may be reasons the belly button looks as it does, i.e. hernia repair, native size of the belly button, post surgical swelling etc.You may want to wait until all the swelling has resolved before considering a revision. Ultimately it is your belly button, so it should look the way you want it- provided it can be done safely and within the constraints of the underlying anatomy.
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February 8, 2018
Answer: Belly button Dear ahjb,belly button reconstruction is the most delicate part of tummy tuck surgery. I spend almost an hour on belly button reconstruction so that my patients get the best possible outcome. If you have any doubts you can always ask for a second opinion. You will get the best recommendations after a thorough examination.Daniel Barrett, MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 8, 2018
Answer: Belly button Dear ahjb,belly button reconstruction is the most delicate part of tummy tuck surgery. I spend almost an hour on belly button reconstruction so that my patients get the best possible outcome. If you have any doubts you can always ask for a second opinion. You will get the best recommendations after a thorough examination.Daniel Barrett, MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Can the bellybutton by made larger with revision after #tummytuck? It is easier to make a small belly button larger, by dissecting around the belly button stalk and then sewing it to a larger hole in the abdominal skin, than it is to make a large one smaller. You also have an indented vertical scar in the lower abdomen; I'm wondering if that is the hole from your original bellybutton cutout that was closed into a vertical scar, or if that was preexisting. This kind of revision can be done under local anesthesia in many cases, unless there is a desire to try to revise the main incision or take more tissue out in the lower abdomen.
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Answer: Can the bellybutton by made larger with revision after #tummytuck? It is easier to make a small belly button larger, by dissecting around the belly button stalk and then sewing it to a larger hole in the abdominal skin, than it is to make a large one smaller. You also have an indented vertical scar in the lower abdomen; I'm wondering if that is the hole from your original bellybutton cutout that was closed into a vertical scar, or if that was preexisting. This kind of revision can be done under local anesthesia in many cases, unless there is a desire to try to revise the main incision or take more tissue out in the lower abdomen.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 8, 2018
Answer: Belly Button Oh man this is a tough one. There are thinks that can be done. Its very tough though. Sometimes its a staged procedure where you have to release it and try to tack it down deep to the abdominal wall then come back and skin graft the top to resurface the depth of the belly button with skin. But I am confused because the 2-4th photos look fine. Are they yours or someone else?
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 8, 2018
Answer: Belly Button Oh man this is a tough one. There are thinks that can be done. Its very tough though. Sometimes its a staged procedure where you have to release it and try to tack it down deep to the abdominal wall then come back and skin graft the top to resurface the depth of the belly button with skin. But I am confused because the 2-4th photos look fine. Are they yours or someone else?
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 9, 2018
Answer: Belly button scar revision Thanks for your question ahjb. Making your belly button bigger can be accomplished more easily than making it smaller, so that's a good thing. Because the healing/scarring/scar remodeling process can take up to 6 months or even a year, many plastic surgeons including myself ask that our patients wait that long so that we can deliver the best possible result to meet their expectations. This extra time, while extremely frustrating, will help new blood vessels to form and help the scar tissues soften so that your body can heal better the second time around. Absolutely discuss these concerns with your surgeon, but don't for a second feel bad about a second opinion if you are feeling uncomfortable or being made just to accept your result. I wish you the best!
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February 9, 2018
Answer: Belly button scar revision Thanks for your question ahjb. Making your belly button bigger can be accomplished more easily than making it smaller, so that's a good thing. Because the healing/scarring/scar remodeling process can take up to 6 months or even a year, many plastic surgeons including myself ask that our patients wait that long so that we can deliver the best possible result to meet their expectations. This extra time, while extremely frustrating, will help new blood vessels to form and help the scar tissues soften so that your body can heal better the second time around. Absolutely discuss these concerns with your surgeon, but don't for a second feel bad about a second opinion if you are feeling uncomfortable or being made just to accept your result. I wish you the best!
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
