Will a tummy tuck address the fat above my belly button?

Question

I'm looking at getting a full tummy tuck done. Some answers here suggest that fat will be removed above the belly button, and then that some surgeons also do liposuction. Can you please clarify, how would fat be removed above the belly button without lipo? I have more dense fat above the belly button, it is still subcutaneous fat and not visceral. I have some fat under the belly button but it's easier to grab and hangs like it's lighter. Will a tummy tuck address both?

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. A tummy tuck can definitely remove fat above the belly button.  If you are an appropriate candidate, your entire tummy tuck can be done through a low and short
incision, all completely below the bikini line. 
The belly button can be designed to look natural and have no scars on
the exterior.   Your muscles can also be
plicated resulting in a flat abdomen. 
Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of
real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate
their results.  The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Charles Nduka, MD · Answer

A full tummy tuck would definitely address the issue of subcutaneous fat and would give you better results as it will also tighten your skin along the abdomen. This would give you a better body contour. It would be best to schedule an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon for an in-person examination.

John M. Sarbak, MD · Answer

It is absolutely possible to improve the upper abdomen in a tummy tuck. This is an area that was somewhat neglected with older techniques. There is a tissue layer called Scarpa’s fascia between the skin and your muscle layer. The fat beneath this layer can be safely removed and the fat above it can be thinned with liposuction. There are some limitations in how aggressive your board certified plastic surgeon can be because you don’t want to thin the tissue to a point where you affect the blood supply and risk healing issues. In those situations it may be better to consider two separate surgeries: one to thin (liposuction) and then a tummy tuck. I hope that this helps. Best of luck!

Joseph Raniere Jr., MD · Answer

Great question!.  A standard tummy tuck should address subcutaneous fat both above and below your belly button.  Some plastic surgeons use liposuction to reduce the fat above the belly bottom and others use a direct excision approach such as a scissor technique to remove some of the fat deep to the superficial fascia.  I would discuss the nuances of your surgeon's preferences directly and always choose a board certified plastic surgeon to perform your surgery.

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