Fat clustering around belly button, can't get rid of fat. (Photo)

Question

I'm 17 years old and ive been fighting this since I was about 12. There seems to be a clustering of fat right above my belly button, the top actually extend past the bottom part of my belly slightly. My belly jiggles a lot for how skinny I am. When I lay down on my side or sit my stomache shifts and even looks slightly wrinkly and loose. I'm not sure if it's loose skin or body fat but I can't loose it. If you could help me figure out what it is and maybe how to solve it it'd be great,thank you!

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Liposuction of your full abdomen -upper and lower-  would really flatten your tummy nicely and is easy to undergo under tumescent local.

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

Really, it is going to be hard to offer advice for this, because the anatomy is normal. You are concerned about the appearance and the looseness of the skin, but there is no surgical treatment for this. In general if looseness of skin is a concern, there are some non-invasive skin tightening procedures available, and since this is such an area of concern for a very wide population of many ages, it is an area that equipment manufacturers are pursuing all the time. If you wanted to try and tighten the skin then you will probably find that local plastic surgeons or dermatologists have some of these devices. In my practice we use the Cynosure Lux IR. Liposuction would probably just make your skin around your belly button looser. You already have a downturned shape to your belly button, and liposuction of that area will probably make that worse.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

There are few ways to do this, ultrashape is a great non invasive approach but requires a few treatments for some improvement.  You could do a more aggressive approach and get a hi definition procedures where the fat can be removed and you can be given shape and athleticism to the area.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Roger Tsai, MD · Answer

Good question.  It is not unusual that some people have a ring of extra fat around the belly button.  It use to provide a very important function for us as an embryo so its not surprising to see that nature has created an extra cushion here.  You are thin and in good shape so, although your particular situation may seem minor, it is understandable how this one stubborn area can be annoying.There are a couple ways to tackle this situation.  You would probably get the best results from liposuction.  This procedure will also provide you with an improved contour.  The advantage of this procedure is that the surgeon can feel what is being removed and can concentrate on certain areas.  However it is a surgery and you may need anesthesia to put you asleep.  If you are perfectly healthy then there is very low risk for anesthesia.  The other way is to do CoolSculpting which is a non-invasive way to remove fat.  You sit in a chair, awake, and a machine freezes the fat.  Over the next several weeks, the fat will atrophy and die off.  However the results are not as predictable as liposuction as you can't feel what is being removed and don't know how the fat will die off.With that being said, the best recommendation is to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon to have a physical examination and go over your goals.  Then together come up with a plan that best suits you.  Click on the link below for more information about liposuction on my website.  Good luck and hope this helps!- Dr. Roger Tsai

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Most people looking at your picture would wonder why you are considering liposuction. The small amount of periumbilical surplus fat can be suctioned, usually with sedation and local anesthesia. The fact that you are young and have a low BMI make sure you a good candidate.

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for your pictures and for your inquiry. You are a good candidate for liposuction and will give you wonderful results. Please make sure that you and your Plastic Surgeon are on the same page, discuss thoroughly all your concerns, options and expectations. Good luck in your PS journey!Respectfully,Dr. Jaime Campos-Leon

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Most people have a thicker layer of fat around their belly button. Some people have more while some people have less. Each person's fat distribution is made up by their genetics. In conjunction with hormone levels, this determines where a person's body shows more or less fat. It's quite common for people to develop thicker layers of fat in certain areas during or after puberty as well as later in life. There is no way you can change your fat distribution on your own. You either accept it or have some type of fat removal procedure. The gold standard for what you describe is liposuction. There are non-surgical techniques, like freezing fat with CoolSculpting. Some plastic surgeons will offer cosmetic surgery to minors with parental consent when it appears appropriate. Most plastic surgeons will have a more conservative stance when doing elective cosmetic surgery on minors. From your pictures, you appear to have a very attractive body, and your fat distribution is not atypical. For now, I suggest you continue taking good care of yourself with diet and exercise, and when the time comes, you could consider a cosmetic surgery consultation.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

Fat clustering around belly button, can't get rid of fat. (Photo)

Answers (7)

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