Belly button revision after tummy tuck - thin woman, is there anything I can do? (photos)

Question

I had a tummy tuck two years ago with great results. However, I’m extremely dissatisfied with my belly button. My surgeon tells me there’s not much he can do as I don’t have any fat to sink the button. Should I start interviewing other surgeons? Or am I stuck? Any doctors in the Denver area who think they could help?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your pictures.  If you are looking for depth to your belly button then your surgeon may correct when saying there is not enough fat.  Depth is created by differential thickness between the belly button (thin) and surrounding skin (thicker).  Consult with several board certified plastic surgeons.

Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS · Answer

From the photos, I actually think your belly button looks pretty good.  But to be sure, I encourage you to get a second opinion from a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to see if there are options for further optimizing the outcome.  One option would be to consider excising some of the redundant skin and then treating the overall tissue with microneedling/PRP to help encourage tightening.  I hope that helps and wish you the very best!-Gregory A Buford MD FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

jasimo. I understand your concern, and second opinion is an option, but understand that minimal improvement is probably all you will accomplish.  Your overall result is excellent, so I would be inclined to stick with your plastic surgeon’s recommendations.  Best of luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jasimo,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, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and yours can certainly be improved by removing the excess belly button you have that contributes to the wrinkled look.  Depth could be more challenging if your abdominal wall is very thin as you say.  In a more extreme option, you could consider removing your belly button and reconstructing a dimple away from that scar but you will have a scar in addition to your reconstructed belly button.

Karen Leong, MD · Answer

Hello, thanks for sharing your question. 
From your photos, your scars look like they've healed very well. While an in person consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon is the best way to get an evaluation and recommendations, you do look as though you may have some extra tissue left over from your original umbilical stalk that could be contributing to the wrinkly appearance of your belly button. While I cannot say how your surgeon designed your new belly button, it is possible to do a minor procedure to tack the umbilicus down to your abdominal wall which would give you more of an "innie" and make the wrinkling less noticeable.
Re-doing the belly button runs the risk of poor scarring so do keep that in mind whenever you are considering revision surgery! 
I hope this helps. - Dr. Leong

Andre Aboolian, MD · Answer

You can make that belly button look much much better....its an easy procedrue.  If you like please contact our office and I will talk to you. Andre Aboolian, Plastic Surgeon, Beverly Hills California, andreaboolian.com

Daniel Driscoll, MD · Answer

a photo consultation does depend on the quality of the photos.  From what I can see there seems to be some skin redundancy.  Being thin will make dunking the umbilicus impossible but the skin redundancy (if it exists) can be tightnened, perhaps making it smaller as well.  good luck.

John J. Bandeian, MD · Answer

It is difficult to tell from the pictures whether revision surgery of the belly button can give an improved appearance. Therefore, you should seek a second opinion from a competent plastic surgeon.

Terrence Murphy, MD · Answer

Although these things are best determined in person, based on your photos it seems that the wrinkled skin of the original umbilicus is causing shadowing which makes it look darker than the surrounding abdominal skin. One wonders if just removing some of the excess umbilical skin might make it less noticeable. Also there is a chance that skin bleaching of the area with something like Hydroquinone may help. Best of luck with your search.

Belly button revision after tummy tuck - thin woman, is there anything I can do? (photos)

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