6 month post tummy tuck and unhappy with belly button size - can it be revised? (photos)

Question

I had a tummy tuck 6 months ago with muscle repair. I am not completely happy with my belly button. It is quite large, at least the size of my thumb print . When i stand straight it gets very tight in that area because it is the strongest point of tension from the incision scar below. In fact, when i slouch vs stand straight, it completely changes shape by enlongating and becoming flat insid. Im wondering if there is a revision to reduce the size if it already too large.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

In the process of performing a tummy tuck. a hole is cut in the skin that has been tightened to allow the buried bellybutton to emerge to the surface where it’s sutured to the skin. The issue here is that the aperture was either made too large or it expanded during the healing process. Regardless, to fix this requires conversion of a circular scar around the belly button into a lollipop scar, with the tail of the lollipop scar extending downward. This will not only create a smaller appearing bellybutton, but it will have more normal contours. The tail of the lollipop scar is much less conspicuous than you might think and is relatively short (an inch or less).

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Easygoing506238,
I understand your concern. Based on your photos, it looks like your results can be improved with surgery. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

6 month post tummy tuck and unhappy with belly button size - can it be revised? (photos)

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Everything you need to know about Belly Button Surgery

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6 month post tummy tuck and unhappy with belly button size - can it be revised? (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Belly Button Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.