Bulging around belly button - how can this be improved without a tummy tuck? (Photo)

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Dear casshein,

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

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It is impossible to give you good evaluation without in person consultation or series of photos. Area around BB is notorious for residual bulging after liposuction; it is difficult in some patients to "clean" that area due to fixation of BB to the deep muscle fascia. Once result is mature and swelling/scarring after liposuction has soften, liposuction with a small cannula can significantly reduce bulging. In some cases laxity and bulge may be result of hernia. Good luck.

Actually, there is a way to know whether (insert any 'skin tightening' device name you like) will take care of your problem: pinch your skin into a roll until the rest of your belly skin is nice and tight. Then, relax your pinch so you can see how far apart your fingertips are from one another. Anything more than a quarter to half inch, and that's being generous, will be too much for the machine to 'tighten'. In other words, it would be a waste of time and money to consider doing any of that. Plain and simple, you need a tummy tuck. Your picture tells me everything I need to know about your skin laxity and functional excess. And no, there is no such thing as 'not having enough skin' for a tummy tuck.

Your photograph is limited. One possibility is the retained fat was not taken out at the time of liposuction. The other possibility is you may have an umbilical hernia. You need to be clinically examined for a hernia and possibly a ultrasound can be done to tell whether that is fat or a hernia. If it is fat then it can be liposucted and if it is a hernia then it will need to be surgically corrected. You can also undergo an umbilicoplasty, which is circular incision around the umbilicus to tighten the skin envelope.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Further photos or an exam would be needed for the best recommendation. Some possible options could be BodyTite, umbilicolplasty, or Morpheus8. BodyTite uses RF technology both above and just below the surface to tighten the skin. An umbilicoplasty would involve excision of the excess skin with an incision around the belly button. Morpheus8 combines RF technology with microneedling to improve overall skin tone and texture. Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to see if you're a candidate.

Unfortunately for you, the answer is a tummy tuck! You may not want one but that’s the best way, and really the only way to remove the fat and looseness causing the problem.

Based on the one side view posted photo only no front view, best of virtual console with, only possible treatment that’s non-surgical would be aggressive RF in multiple sessions, and a lift laser at least six sessions, or body tight multiple sessions. Doing multiple sessions of any of these non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments would run approximately $10-$20,000. Best of virtual consult with again. Otherwise I am in agreement a potential full tummy tuck is the best way to correct this. The reason this happened was there was skin laxity, and doing liposuction did not cause the skin to tighten enough or tighten minimally. Therefore, you have this residual bulge as you. “.