Belly button revision or mini? What is my best option? (photos)

Question

What would be m best option. I had small umbilical hernia when these were taken, but has since been repaired, however still a lot of extra skin up there. I am looking for a solution to the sagging skin particularly above my belly button. I’ve been recommended a mini, one dr said I would be left with the “T” scar. Another recommended a mini w/ floating belly button. Is there anyway to just cut the skin off like a surgeon would do an areola lift? Advice appreciated!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello. Great question. Thank you for your images. A mini tummy tuck will not address you extra skin above your belly button. Based on your images, you appear to benefit from a full tummy tuck. Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed surgical plan to achieve your desired results.

Anita Patel, MD, FACS · Answer

A mini tummy tuck is reserved for patients who only have a little loose skin below the belly button. If you have loose skin above the belly button, you are not a candidate for a mini tummy tuck. This doesn't mean you need a scar hip to hip. You may be able to have a full tummy tuck with a shorter scar. It's just that a full tummy tuck is really needed when you are trying to tighten above and below the belly button. Also, it is not clear what is going on with your belly button- Was the hernia repaired through an incision around the belly button? Is the hernia back? How exactly the belly button is treated depends on what is going on there. If you have already lost the normal configuration, which it seems you have, then it may be more of a belly button reconstruction that is needed, and not just the usual treatment with tummy tuck. The question about removing extra skin around the belly button the way you would with an areola- while it could be done, it would not leave an attractive or normal looking belly button. With an areola you still have a 4cm diameter areola to hide the incision around (which equals over 12 cm in circumference), whereas with the belly button you would be attempting to scrunch up all the skin around an area that is more like 1-1.5 cm. If neither the floating belly button or small vertical incision are acceptable to you, you may not wish to have surgery. Nonsurgical skin tightening is an option (such as Venus Freeze radiofrequency treatments), just know they require a series of treatments and will not give you results as good as surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jayjay3030,it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From the submitted photos you will have the best result from a standard tummy tuck.  This will address the loose skin, excess fat, abdominal wall laxity, and the belly button area.  The result will be a flatter, tighter abdomen.  Anything else and you will be chasing your concerns with one procedure after another.  A standard tummy tuck is able to address it all with one procedure.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

The mini tuck does not tighten the skin above the belly button. Limited skin can be removed with a scar around the belly button.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

Cutting the skin off like a donut breast lift is not a good option as the bellybutton would probably loo too wide. A floating belly button is not going to be of much help because all the bad skin is still there. The best bet is a full. You should be able to have a low scar with minimal chance of a T incision if you choose your surgeon wisely for his/her experience. Too many surgeons leave either a scar too high or a T incision when they are almost never necessary.

Christine Sullivan, MD (retired) · Answer

There are multiple options available for sagging abdominal skin. I have had great success with BODYtite to help contract abdominal skin.   It is important to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your geographical area. Upon examination your surgeon will be able to discuss risks and benefits of each procedure and make a recommendation to best address your individual concerns. Best wishes!

Belly button revision or mini? What is my best option? (photos)

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