Do you think my belly button changed position after my fleur de lis tummy tuck?

Question

Doctors say that the belly button doesn’t change position after the surgery, but I wonder if that’s really the truth!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Sauvage123,

Thank you for your question regarding the position of your belly button after a fleur de lis tummy tuck.

Belly Button Position Explanation:

Anatomical Fact:

The actual position of the belly button (umbilical stalk) does not change during a tummy tuck. The belly button is attached to the abdominal wall, and its stalk remains in the same place.
Skin Repositioning:

What changes is the skin around the belly button. During a tummy tuck, excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is tightened and repositioned. This can create the illusion that the belly button has moved when, in fact, it has not.
Incision Effects:

With a fleur de lis tummy tuck, which involves both a vertical and horizontal incision, the repositioning of the skin can be more pronounced. This might make it seem like the belly button has shifted position. However, the umbilical stalk itself remains stationary.
Creating the Illusion:

Higher Tummy Tuck Incision:
A higher placement of the horizontal incision can give the illusion that the belly button is higher or in a different position because the surrounding skin is pulled and adjusted.
Conclusion:

To summarize, while the position of the belly button itself does not change during a tummy tuck, the repositioning of the skin around it can create the appearance of a different belly button location. This is a normal aspect of the procedure and part of the overall reshaping and tightening of the abdominal area.

Good luck, and I hope this helps to clarify your question regarding the position of your belly button after a fleur de lis tummy tuck.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Felix Omar Márquez, MD · Answer

Hello. In regular Tummy Tuck, the position of the belly button never changes because the incision is performed around the umbilicus, and only the skin is moved. When the patient loses the saggy skin, probably he/she will feel something different in the area. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon for an in-person exam and discuss all your concerns. Good Luck!

Chad Robbins, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question and photo's.   The belly button stalk is not moved , it's still in the same location.  When the belly button is closed, it may pull ever so slightly , in a different direction, or it may be smaller then your original belly button.

Larry Lickstein, MD · Answer

When a tummy tuck is performed, an incision is made around the umbilicus.  Consequently, it is necessary to maintain the umbilical stalk, or its attachment to the muscle, in order to preserve its blood supply.  If a patient has a limited amount of soft tissue, the stalk will be short and the belly button will not move.  With lax skin or more adipose tissue, the stalk may be longer permitting some movement of the belly button, but only 1-2 cm at the most.  Hope this is helpful.  Be certain to discuss any concerns that you may have with your surgeon.  Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Matt Erdmann, MBChB, FRCS(Eng), FRCS (Plast) · Answer

The belly button is isolated on its blood supply but is kept attached deeply to the position it was before. There is the possibility of moving it up or down from this fixed position by a few cm but not more than that. The surgeon does need to move a lot of tissue around and he will place the BB in the position he judges best for the BB with no tension.If you have any concerns it is always best to return to your PS for advice and reassurance.

Do you think my belly button changed position after my fleur de lis tummy tuck?

Answers (5)

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