Belly button placement too low/reverse TT needed? (Photos)

Question

Would you agree or disagree that my BB was placed way too low during my extended tummy tuck? I had an apron belly and assumed my bb would be placed where it “should” be, not where it was when I had a hanging abdomen. I was excited to show it off but it’s hidden under normal jeans. I’d have to wear Britney Spears super low cut jeans for it to barely be visible. If it is too low, is this something I can still get fixed? Surgeon states he doesn’t think it’s too low at all.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

You are right, your BB is bellow the line that conects anterior illiac spines, bone prominences of the pelvis. Additional skin excision (tightening) of abdomen and creation of new BB, should be considered. Good luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear iDreamOfCurves,
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

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

The natural placement of belly buttons does vary among people and some ladies have a low sitting buttons, especially after pregnancy with the upper abdomen being stretched a lot. Your before photo shows a low-lying button. The reverse tummy tuck is not always a great procedure and does not always lift things up well, especially over time. Sometimes, it just pulls your breasts even lower.  I would suggest leaving it alone.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Nice posted before & after photos. Unfortunately a low set bb is very difficult to elevate. The procedure is just in the areas with leaving an inferior small vertical scar. I would add lipo 360 also. Fee $6,000. Best to virtual consult with....

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

From the photos it does not appear to be too low, but a physical exam would confirm this.  The umbilicus is not moved during a standard abdominoplasty (it is in a ‘sliding Umbilicoplasty).

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear iDreamOfCurves,
Unless your surgeon has deliberately moved your umbilicus lower (not likely), he/she has probably placed it where it naturally sits.  There is a chance that it can be moved higher (if the stalk is long enough), but might take a full tummy tuck revision to do it.  It looks like you may have enough left over loose skin to do that though.  Good luck!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

The belly button is never removed or its position changed during a tummy tuck.
What moves and is changed is the skin covering the belly button.
If the incision is not made directly over the anatomic belly button then it will be slanted.
You can tell if the skin incision was made anatomically over the belly button by putting a Q-tip into your belly button and see if it points up, down, to the left or to the right.
Surgeons have a choice of where to make the opening and generally do that right over where the actual belly button is sitting.
The stalk of the belly button is never removed from the abdominal wall.
If you’re unhappy with the outcome of your procedure I suggest you spend more time looking at your before pictures.
From my opinion your result is above average. All the hallmarks of a quality tummy tuck is present.
Your belly button looks more natural than most and your incision is well-designed set correctly in a very low position and follows an atomic concourse correctly.
I think your tummy tuck is stellar and you should be happy with your outcome.
Take a look at some of the other patients posting on this website for a comparison.
Your procedure is done and even if you prefer the belly button be in a different position there’s no way a revision is justified. Any attempt at changing your belly button position will leave you with unnecessary scars on your abdomen.
Look at the forest and not the single tree.Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

It appears that your belly button was naturally very low as is the case in some patients. The surgeon doesn't "place" the bb in a tummy tuck, or move it or remove it - it just stays where it naturally lives and comes back out through a new skin hole.

Given the size of the apron you had, there is a possibility that you have a long umbilical stalk that might be able to be moved up a little but with the cost of a vertical scar coming down off the bottom of the bb. The only other alternative would be to remove the old bb and have a scar and do a "neoumbilicus" farther up. This is basically a folding of skin down to the muscle and doesn't look as real as a natural umbi.

Belly button placement too low/reverse TT needed? (Photos)

Answers (8)