BB Hernia Repair: opinions on new tattooed belly button vs. prosthetic belly button? (photo)

Question

Hello! My BL, TT and hernia repair is Monday. My surgeon says he has only lost two belly buttons in his career but he believes mine will be lucky #3. He feels a tattooed belly button looks much better than a prosthetic one. Has anyone heard of this? I keep googling and can't find any examples. Adding a pic of my BB. Thank you!! P.S. I met with two other surgeons before selecting Dr. Bayne and the first said he wouldn't even attempt to save mine. He would just plan on a prosthetic.

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

With a hernia at the belly button, it can challenging to save the belly button, but a belly button can easily be reconstructed at the time, with in my experience very acceptable results.  I am not familiar with tattoo for belly button, but significant part of an aesthetic pleasing belly button is the contour with a natural indentation.   A tattoo would not accomplish that. I would ask to see pictures.

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

I am unaware of a prosthetic belly button and have never seen a tattooed belly button.  If your belly button does die, however, a new one can be reconstructed.

Benjamin Van Raalte, MD · Answer

With both an umbilical hernia and a tummy tuck the belly button cannot always be saved. But if it can't, I make a belly button that looks very good under local anesthesia 2 months later. I have never heard of a prosthetic and a tattoo would be a poor substitute.

Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD · Answer

Dear QC_Mama,  Anytime there is a hernia at the belly button (umbilical hernia), there is increased risk for some or none of the belly button to survive the hernia repair and the tummy tuck.  However, if this should occur, there are ways of recreating a belly button.  Since part of the belly button aesthetic look is not just color but also giving contour and shape to the lower abdomen, a tattoo alone is not going to give the best aesthetic result.  As far as a prosthesis for creating a belly button, I have never heard of any such device.My recommendation is to again discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon before you have your surgery and make sure your understand the options before proceeding.  Best of luck.

Gilbert Lee, MD · Answer

I have never heard of a prosthetic belly button.  Perhaps your surgeon meant that he could create a new belly button if yours develops necrosis.  I would opt for this option over a tattoo. Tattoos lack the contour and shadowing and thus will not look very realistic.  If he has a collection of BB tattoos, have him show you these photos.  So I would opt for 1)fixing your hernia and trying to save your own BB.2)if your BB is not viable, then create a new BB (which your PS will know how to do).Good luck.

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

I am really not sure what a prosthetic belly button is and have never seen or performed a tattoo of the belly button. I have, however treated patients with your condition with success. Even if you do have belly button necrosis a minor procedure can be done to recreate the belly button with fairly good success.(by an experienced plastic surgeon)

BB Hernia Repair: opinions on new tattooed belly button vs. prosthetic belly button? (photo)

Answers (6)

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