How can I improve the appearance of my belly button? (Photos)

Dear D1213,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you 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

Hi D1213,
Hi, thank you for your question regarding can you improve the appearance of my belly button. Thank you for your history and your pictures. We should analyze your pictures to determine the best treatment plan for your belly button. First, you have a scar from the belly button or umbilical hernia repair. Second, you have a soft-tissue deformity due to your hernia, possibly hernia repair, and hernia repair scar tissue. It would be useful to know if surgical mesh and or permanent sutures were used for your umbilical hernia repair. The presence of mesh and/or permanent sutures, as well as the subsequent creation of surrounding and underlying scar tissue, can cause belly button deformities. If you are looking only to treat the belly button scar, most plastic surgeons would suggest a FRAXEL laser, not RF microneedling. However, the FRAXEL laser only treats the skin layer of your belly button hernia scar; it will not correct the underlying soft-tissue deformity. Most plastic surgeons would suggest an umbilicoplasty (belly button) surgery. An umbilicaloplasty can be performed under local anesthesia in the office. There are various patterns and shapes of belly button reconstruction flaps. The correct belly button flap will depend on the position of your prior belly button hernia incision, which determines blood supply. An umbilicoplasty takes about one hour to complete. After your umbilicoplasty, you will need to take it easy for about one week. No drains are involved.
I hope that I have answered your questions regarding whether you can improve the appearance of my belly button. Most plastic surgeons offer free virtual or in-office physical consultations. Therefore, explore what other plastic surgeons have to say. If you have any further questions about how to improve the appearance of your belly button, consult an experienced plastic surgeon. Please consult an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with a proven track record in belly button surgery. Ensure they have performed numerous umbilicoplasty procedures and have the corresponding before-and-after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. ( Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)