Belly button not normal 8 months after tummy tuck? Will I need to have it redone? (Photo)

Hello, and thank you for your question about whether your belly button needs revision after your tummy tuck and umbilical hernia repair. The changes in your belly button’s appearance are likely due to the combination of these two procedures. When an umbilical hernia is repaired during a tummy tuck, it can alter the natural shape and depth of the belly button. The repair may flatten the umbilicus, making it appear different than before surgery.

A belly button revision, also called an umbilicoplasty, is a purely cosmetic procedure, as the umbilicus itself has no functional purpose. Some general surgeons even remove the belly button entirely when repairing large hernias or performing complex abdominal surgeries. However, if the appearance of your belly button bothers you, it is entirely possible to have it revised.

A belly button revision typically involves a circumferential incision around the umbilicus, removing a small amount of surrounding skin in a donut-shaped pattern to reshape the area. This can help restore a more natural-looking navel. Most board-certified plastic surgeons experienced in tummy tuck revisions can perform this procedure with excellent results.

I recommend waiting at least one year post-surgery before considering a belly button revision to allow for full healing and for any remaining swelling to subside. If you still find the appearance unsatisfactory after that time, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

Good luck, and I hope I have answered your question regarding belly button revision after tummy tuck and umbilical hernia repair.

Sincerely,
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, MBA, FASMBS, FICS

It looks like you may benefit from an umbilicoplasty, which is surgery to improve the appearance of the belly button. The scarring around it can be reduced and the shape of the belly button improved.

Hello, thank you for your photo and question. I would recommend getting that belly revised. I am not sure that it will change for the better to be honest. I wish you the best!

I suspect that after 8 months, the overall shape of your bellybutton will not change much. I think many doctors and patients would find this unacceptable, and consider some kind of revision. Perhaps waiting a few more months would be wise. I hope you find a board certified plastic surgeon that would help you with what I suspect would be a difficult revision.

While it is generally recommended to wait a year before considering a scar revision, you will likely need one based on your submitted photo. I'm not sure you can get the look you had prior but an improvement is possible.

When vetting plastic surgeons are usually recommend patients view tummy tuck results based on two variables that determine quality work.
The first is getting consistent, natural looking belly buttons, and the second is the design of the scar.
You pretty much get one shot of doing this procedure right.
If it isn’t right, the first time it becomes very difficult to make significant improvements.
If the belly button wasn’t made small to start with, then, reducing its size is going to be very difficult because the skin has already been removed.
You can talk to your provider or have in person consultations with other plastic surgeons, but in the end, I don’t think significant improvement is going to be easy.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD