How long after a tummy tuck is performed can you use a marble or earplug to keep the belly button from closing?

Hi:
Unless there was a wound healing problem you should not need a marble or any other device to keep the shape and size of the umbilicus to what the surgeon designed and made during the surgery. I would only use it if there is a problem and the size seems to be getting smaller and or shrinking. I would certainly check with your surgeon before you do anything to your scars specially if you are still in the first two or three weeks after surgery. If I were to recommend this to a patient of mine I would do it as soon as I see a problem that would end up reducing the opening of the belly button.

You should check with your surgeon as we all have slightly different pre and post op instructions.  if everything is healing well I would say 2-3 weeks after surgery.

Hi kkla,We usually have our patients start after about 2 weeks post surgery, there are no problems with wound healing.Best,Dr. Christine Rodgers

Thank you for the questions. In an uncomplicated belly button healing, you can probably start the process in about 2-3 weeks. Check with your surgeon also make sure you remove them regularly so that the scar dos not grow over them.