Belly button revision after tummy tuck - What are my options? (photo)

Question

I had a mommy makeover and am extremely unsatisfied with my bellybutton. I feel more insecure now than I did before. Can my belly button and scars be fixed? I was told no.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

There is hope! Your umbilicus is too large and the scar is too close to the surface of your abdomen. Repair would include reducing the size of the umbilicus, tacking it down deeply to the abdominal wall, and re-attaching the abdominal skin to the smaller and deeper umbilicus. With regards to your transverse scar, it is clear that the lateral extent can be lowered substantially, and with it a lot of soft tissue that is bulging out, but the central portion cannot be assessed with this photo, and would need in-person evaluation.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear kleina,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Belly button revision after tummy tuck - What are my options? (photo)

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Belly button revision after tummy tuck - What are my options? (photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Belly Button Surgery

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