The swelling after my TT & lipo made it appear like I had a belly button, but I do not. Did he forget? I have a lump beside my “fake belly button”. Could that be my old belly button? When my PS took off my binder on day 1 he asked if I liked my belly button and has asked every time. There is a scab, but there were no stitches. Help, what do I do? The lump is slightly painful, do I need the PS to cut my skin and allow the belly button to come through? He told me I would have my old belly button.
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I'm not exactly sure what happened here, but I would treat you as an umbilical reconstruction. It is possible to deepen the umbilical depression you do have and the results generally turn out well. This shouldn't be done until you are several months out from the initial procedure at least.
Dr. Thomas A. Pane, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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Thank you for your question. It appears from your photo that your plastic surgeon attempted to create a new a belly button for you instead of using your existing umbilical stalk. I am unclear why this was done, and can't definitely say that this is the case without an in-person examination. That being said I think you should discuss your concerns directly and frankly with your plastic surgeon. You may require a formal belly button reconstruction to give you a more pleasing cosmetic result. All the best.
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Hi krnunezI am a bit confused by what is gong on. Do you have a scar around the belly button? Can you send a larger pic?There are a number of thing that could account for what you are describing but your written description is confusing to me and the pic is inadequate for me to say for sure.I would recommend that you talk to the surgeon and ask what the lump is due to and what is going on the the navel. If asked how you like your navel, tell the truth.I would be interested to find out what is going on.sek
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You likely had to have your original umbilical stalk removed due to blood supply issues. You appear to have had a suture placed (on the inside) to try to create some sort of dimple in the area. That technique will not create anything that looks like a belly button. You need to ask your surgeon what happened, to confirm my suspicions. An umbilical reconstruction can be done to make it look like you actually have a real belly button.
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Definitely ask your PS why he/she created a belly button instead of keeping yours and don't be afraid to share your concerns. Sometimes this is done because you have an umbilical hernia that obliterates the belly button and during repair (during the tummy tuck) the blood supply to your umbilical stalk is compromised. It is then not an option to keep your belly button as it will become necrotic. An umbilicoplasty can be done to create a belly button at a future date, so don't stress about that.
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The pictures show loss or partial loss of belly button. You may need to have belly button reconstruction.Please ask your surgeon about it.
