How to fix belly button not centered after tummy tuck?

Question

After the tummy tuck, my belly button is not centered! Does it require another complete open of my tummy to reposition the belly button? Or is there a simpler surgery to reposition it to the center?

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

Believe it or not, I have had several belly buttons that seem to "move" around on a patients belly during their healing process.  My theory (and I have no true evidence for this) is that the muscle tightening sometimes is either uneven, or the abdominal muscles spasm and force the umbilical stalk to move with them as they shift from side to side.  I have photographic evidence on patients when they were healing and I've seen belly buttons that seemed to be off to one side or the other settle down by 3-4 months right where I left them in the OR.If you don't settle in the center, then there is a fairly simple procedure that can be done to adjust things under local anesthesia in your surgeons office.  I wouldn't worry too much about it.I'm going to add a link below to a blog post of mine from 2012.  It has a video that helps demonstrate the changes that your body goes through as time passes after a tummy tuck.Good Luck!

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The belly button is not a midline structure in more than 50% of patients.  It can be made more central, but will still have the appearance of a non midline structure.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Depending on the cause of the asymmetry in minor adjustment can be done with local anesthesia. This is fairly uncommon after this procedure.

David S. Motoki, MD · Answer

Many patients do not have a mid-line umbilicus after pregnancies due to stretching of the abdominal muscles and skin. Centering the umbilicus may involve a simple in-office procedure or a major revision depending on how far the umbilicus is off the mid-line and whether the abdominal muscle repair commonly done with a tummy tuck is satisfactory. Go see your surgeon who is in the best position to advise you.

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your concerns.  It would be helpful  to see photos.  Also, look carefully at your before photos.  We have found in some cases the belly button can be off center to begin with and we like to point that out before any surgery is done.  Any revision should wait for about 6 months, so discuss it with your surgeon so you can know your best options. The link below is a fully healed tummy tuck patient.

How to fix belly button not centered after tummy tuck?

Answers (5)