Will my belly button look better ever? When will my stomach be flat?

Question

My belly button is off center and my stomach is not flat at all. Will this change? Will my belly button ever look natural? As you can see, my belly button was centered before the surgery.

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

We take special care to make sure that our tummy tuck patients' belly buttons look as natural as possible after their procedure.  However, very soon after the procedure the belly button is usually edematous (swollen) and sometimes is even a bit discolored.  This is normal in the immediate post-operative period.It appears that you had your operation quite recently. Don't worry too much about how flat your abdomen is or how your belly button appears early on!It's amazing how much things change weeks/months after a tummy tuck!AND, I have had patients whose belly buttons appeared off center early in the post op period, but by 3 months, once swelling went down, they were back in the center!So, don't worry early on.  You'll likely be very happy with your results in a few months. And of course, discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. Thanks

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

Thank you for your pictures.  Your belly button should heal naturally.  Regarding the belly button being off-center, that is unlikely to change over time.

Asaf Yalif, MD, FACS · Answer

While it certainly appears in the photo that the belly button is off center it is not uncommon to have asymmetric swelling around the abdomen soon after surgery. This can distort the appearance and make it seem like it is off to one side. Please follow closely with your plastic surgeon as they can guide you through your recovery and if something ends up needing a revision, they would be most capable of doing it for you.

Steven Varkony, MD · Answer

You are still early in the recovery and there is still a lot
of swelling, which could take months to subside. It is best to follow your
surgeon’s post-operative care instructions to ensure proper healing. We
recommend scheduling an appointment with your plastic surgeon to address all
your concerns.

Robert H. Hunsaker, MD · Answer

You are quite early in your recovery so you can expect quite visible improvement in your abdominal contour. If the belly button remains off center, it will stay there. The majority of belly buttons are not EXACTLY centered though most are very close to the midline pre-op. (Yes, there was a study!)

Will my belly button look better ever? When will my stomach be flat?

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Answer: Will my belly button look better ever?

Answer: Will my belly button look better ever?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Will my belly button look better ever? When will my stomach be flat?

Answers (5)

Answer: Will my belly button look better ever?

Answer: Will my belly button look better ever?

Answer: Results

Answer: Results

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.