What technique can be used to for my belly button? (Photo)

Question

My belly button was one of my main concern as to how it will look after my tummy tuck, I have been looking online for a similar technique as mine while in the healing process but couldn’t find one, is anyone familiar with a belly button that looks like this? My doctor just told me that it will heal and to to worry about it, but I don’t think it will look normal.

Samuel Golpanian, MD · Answer

This appears to be an inverted-V Chevron technique for the belly button after a tummy tuck. While some are proponents of this technique and find it aesthetically pleasing, others don't.

Andre P. Marshall, MD · Answer

Hi Powerful 0114,
Patients often choose surgeons for tummy tucks based upon other results of patients and their scars, contouring, and belly buttons. Hopefully you were able to see pictures of your surgeons work prior to your procedure. Most surgeons use the same technique consistently on their belly buttons. Therefore you often have to trust the process as it heals. Your body will continue to change for the next year or so after surgery. Best wishes as you continue to recover. 
Dr. Andre P. MarshallDouble Board Certified Plastic SurgeonBeverly Hills, CA 90210

Rishi Jindal, MD · Answer

Hi,
Belly buttons can get quite swollen immediately after a tummy tuck, since the “stalk“ may need to be thinned adequately so you don’t feel or see a big lump under the skin in that area after your stomach has been flattened by the procedure. The hole that is made in the skin to bring the belly button through does look like it may have been made a little too large, but it is probably too early to truly worry about it. As the swelling of the actually belly button goes down, it should certainly look better, but if not then just continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon and there are always ways to improve things. Good luck with your continued healing!

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Every surgeon has his/her preference about how to fix a belly button. Yours looks fine and should heal well.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The belly button area takes time to heal after the tummy tuck.  It can be up to a year before you see your final results.  I encourage you to be patient during the healing process.  If you are still unhappy after that you can elect to have the area revised.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Getting a natural looking bellybutton from a full tummy tuck is the Hallmark of quality surgery and probably the most difficult part of the procedure. I specifically tell patients to judge plastic surgeons based on who gets the most natural looking belly buttons when reviewing before and after pictures. equality belly button should generally be made small and when assessing the outcome it’s not just the belly button itself but the entire three-dimensional contour of the mid abdomen that we’re looking for. It’s not uncommon for people to have a gradually changing skin color from the center inner part of their belly button as a transitions onto the abdomen. transition in skin complexion can be seen on many parts of the body including the upper inner thigh, eyelids and lots of other places. when the skin color of the belly button is slightly different than the skin color of the upper abdomen then the transition and gradual changing skin color is lost after a tummy tuck and the skin color becomes abrupt. that seems to be the case for you.Otherwise the bellybutton itself looks better than average and appropriate considering the procedure.
Typically the bellybutton stalk should be left short and ideally be used to pull down the abdominal skin to create a bit of a funnel appearance.
Your picture is a close-up and does not allow us to see the contour of the mid abdomen which typically requires showing more of the abdomen and from different angles.
Regardless, once done it’s difficult to change what the belly button looks like.
The key is to choose a provider who gets quality belly button outcomes consistently when reviewing before and after pictures. belly buttons after a full tummy tuck never look exactly like a virgin belly button. It’s simply not possible to make it perfect. Some plastic surgeons do a better job than others and I would say yours is definitely in the above average category.
Time does make things better and some things like skin pigment transition changes are simply unavoidable no matter who does the procedure.
To me it looks like a well-done tummy tuck with someone who is conscientious and took the time and effort to try to give you the nicest belly button they could.
I’ve seen plenty of plastic surgeons who do this in a quick and dirty manner spending very little time on the belly button because they are watching the clock and not the patient.
Skin incisions can take 18 months before they are fully mature. Be patient and continue following up with your provider. Personally I think you got a Nice outcome.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Jose A. Munoz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!In the traditional abdominoplasty, the belly button (umbilicus) is freed up from surrounding tissues, maintained upon its "stalk" with its blood supply to the underlying fascia. After the skin and soft tissue is advanced downward to the pubis, a new incision is created and the umbilicus is passed through this skin defect and is sutured to the abdominal flap. In our practice, we suture the umbilical base to the underlying fascia and try to "internalize" the umbilical suture line into the depths of the umbilicus as much as possible. In most cases, whether the incision is transverse, vertical, elliptical, a smile, or a frown, the healing process will tend to normalize its appearance. Your photo appears to show a very early postoperative result. Its appearance will improve significantly.Best wishes...

What technique can be used to for my belly button? (Photo)

Answers (7)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Why am I fatter/have flabby, hanging bulge after liposuction? Do I need a tummy tuck because of this?

Tummy Tuck for VP Shunt patients?

Is paying an additional $2k for a pubic lift worth it since I’m already getting a full tummy tuck? (Photo)

Crooked abs - could this be fixed with a tummy tuck? (Photo)

Looking for non-invasive options beside a tummy tuck. Am I candidate for a reverse tummy tuck, BodyTite, or Renuvion? (photos)

Tummy Tuck with VP Shunt?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS