Would Lowering the Belly Button by 1 to 2 Inches Look Unnatural or Funny?

Thanks for the great question -
You belly button is attached to deeper structures and in itself typically cannot be moved more than about an inch in any direction. Your surgeon is likely referring to moving tissue around your belly button -
The key point here is the difference between a mini-tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck.
A mini tummy tuck addresses the skin below the belly button. This can be a good option for patients that do not have a great deal of extra tissue above the umbilicus and who do not have rectus diastasis (which is a separation of the rectus abdominus muscles (the muscles that make up your six pack) - this is a common issue after childbirth).
A full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) can be a better choice for patients with addition skin above the umbilicus or who have significant lateral positioning of the rectus muscles. The scar can be longer but it is a much more powerful techniqe in terms of improving your abdominal contour.
I hope this helps!

Hello Juliana5,

Thank you for your inquiry about the potential side effects of lowering the belly button during a mini tummy tuck procedure. It's important to address your concerns and provide you with accurate information.

Lowering the position of the belly button by 1 to 2 inches is indeed a significant adjustment and should be approached with caution. The belly button is anatomically connected to the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds your abdominal muscles. Moving it more than an inch in any direction, whether higher or lower, can disrupt its natural position and potentially lead to complications.

In general, lowering the belly button more than its anatomical position can result in an unnatural appearance and may appear disproportionate to the rest of the abdomen. Additionally, excessive manipulation of the belly button during surgery can increase the risk of complications such as poor wound healing, infection, or changes in sensation around the area.

It's possible that your plastic surgeon may be referring to adjusting the position of the skin around the belly button rather than physically moving the belly button itself. This approach can help improve the overall contour of the abdomen without compromising the natural appearance of the belly button.

Before proceeding with any surgical plan, I recommend discussing your concerns and goals in detail with your plastic surgeon. They can provide you with a thorough explanation of the proposed procedure, address any questions or uncertainties you may have, and ensure that your expectations align with realistic outcomes.

Ultimately, the decision to undergo surgery and make adjustments to the belly button position should be made with careful consideration and in collaboration with your plastic surgeon.

I hope this information helps guide your decision-making process. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

The side effects of lowering or "floating" your belly button with a midi or marriage abdominoplasty (half mini and half full)  are that if you decide that you want a full tummy tuck at a later date, it will likely compromise the circulation of the belly button making it more likely it will necrose. You are a candidate for a float procedure if you have a high belly button (one that lies above a line drawn across the top of your hip bones) and you can leave at least about 10 cm of skin between the belly button and incision. While 1 inch is normal 2 inches may be lowering it more than I would recommend.