To float the belly button or not? (Photos)

Question

I’m scheduled for a mini tummy tuck with MR. My surgeon would really like to float my belly button but I’m not feeling great about detaching my stock and worried it will look too low and sad (If I go through with it can it ever be reattached to its stock)? I have seen some horrible stories about the belly button scars when they cut a new hole for your belly button so that options makes me nervous too.

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for the question. You do seem to have a high-riding belly button and likely a good candidate for float. Having said that, the definitive answer can only be given after an in-person examination. I would seek consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon for a complete evaluation. Best,

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Mom.Bod.Bye,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.,

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

With an umbilical float, the surgeon can do a complete muscle separation repair, and the belly button can be re-attached in its original location or moved lower. In your case, the natural position is a little bit higher than average to begin with so it can be lowered and look good. If you do a full tummy tuck in a situation where the belly button is on the high side, it may not be possible to remove all of the skin in the lower abdomen up to the BB, which means that if the scar is to be low you may require a T-closure or some sort of vertical scar in addition to the scar around the umbi. Although it is not possible to make a definitive recommendation without an in-person exam, I think the mini with umbi float could be a very good option for you.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

A physical exam will be necessary to determine if a float or full TT will be required.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. You are not a candidate for a mini tummy tuck and I would not float your belly button. My reasons: 1. you have lots of loose skin above the belly button, 2. a lower belly button gives an aged look to the abdomen (I disagree that "it yields a longer looking torso that is desired". Look at magazines with women in bikinis and see young female torsos and the BB position! The higher it is the younger looking abdomen), 3. muscle repair needs to be done from the breast bone to the pubic bone, otherwise you will end up with un upper abdominal protrusion or fullness in the long run, 4. I would remove your BB and create one later to avoid BB scars. If you end up with a small vertical scar at the level of the pubic horizontal scar is a better option than a low BB. The scar usually can be removed within a year from the abdominoplasty.If you are committed to go ahead with your surgeon, I would discuss your concerns. Otherwise, seek a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

A mini-abdominoplasty is a short scar abdominoplasty. Optimal candidates have minimal skin excess localized below the level of the umbilicus (belly button). The major benefit of the procedure is the shorter scar burden. Alternatively, the drawback to the procedure is it's minimal access nature. The shorter scar and the upper limit of dissection (belly button) limits the opportunity to tighten the muscle as you only have access to the lower 1/3 of the muscle in the midline for plication (unless you float/detach the umbilicus which can only be performed in cases of minimal infraumbilical skin excess). The value of a "float" in your particular case is ultimately a question of your specific issues and goals. Is this an issue of muscle plication or excess skin above the level of the umbilicus? You do appear to have some mild supra-umbilical excess. This will lower your umbilicus somewhat. However, this is rarely undertaken in situations where one expects significant laxity and by association significant displacement downward.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Aditya Sood, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Great question! I understand your concerns for a new belly button and scar formation. By detaching or "floating" your belly button, it can allow for your surgeon to perform more skin and fat resection as well as perform your muscle plication much further up. Also, keep in mind that a lower belly button will yield a longer looking torso, which is desired by many. You do not appear to have enough skin and fat for a fully tummy tuck and I would avoid that along with any vertical scars or new belly button creation. Best of luck to you!

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Ask to see photos of this done by your doctor and then decide to do this or not. Your surgeon will be able to remove more skin if it is done.

Manuel Belen, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello,
  
Thank you for sharing the information, it is a pleasure for me to answer your question.
Definitely the most appropriate is to start (tummy tuck, liposuction and BBL can also be included), you are a candidate perfect, for the procedure, with this you can eliminate all localized fat and flaccidity, you will get the best results and have a defined appearance according to your body.
It is advisable to consult with a certified plastic surgeon, for a good evaluation, to provide you with all the information you need to know about the appropriate recommendations, so that you can achieve the desired goals in your body.
  
I hope this answer will help you
  
My best wishes for you...

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

A miniTT only removes a modest amount of skin and fat from the lower abdomen. It is a very bad idea to repair only the lower muscle as it will leave unbalanced bulging  in the upper abdomen. The only way to do a miniTT and repair both upper and lower muscles would be to detach the bellybutton. It can only be moved down a centimeter or two at the maximum so provides little to no improvement of the loose skin above the belly button. If you truly need muscle repair (not all patients need that) you would be far better off getting the full TT and muscle repair with maximum tightening of the entire abdomen.

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