Closing and inflammation of belly button after tummy tuck. What are my options? (Photo)

Dear Sociable844465,
I understand your concern. 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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question regarding persistent closing and inflammation in your belly button following a tummy tuck. It's an important query; I'm glad to provide some insight.
Essentially, you have three potential options. The first option is to leave the belly button as is and not pursue further treatment.
The second option would be to consider the complete removal of your belly button and the surgical re-creation of a new one. There's a variety of surgical techniques available that could be employed to establish a normal-looking belly button.
The third option entails the total removal of the belly button, followed by a medical tattoo artist creating a new belly button. Today's medical tattoo artists can produce impressive results that might be a viable option for you.
I hope this helps answer your question about persistent closing and chronic inflammation of your belly button after a tummy tuck and your potential options.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Abdominoplasty scars can be quite complex, ranging from the simple hypertrophic scar to a multiplane inflamed keloid. Pigmentation, discoloration, chronic inflammation, scar visibility can all occur in the short term. We begin each treatment with combination therapy using Yellow broadband BBL, Vbeam, fractional erbium, intralesional IIT, and scar modulation. Start with a combination of Plato's Scar Serum massaged twice daily after one week of epithelialization followed by Luminase/Exfolase. Scar consultation and revision may be recommended.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Hello @Sociable844465, thank you for your question. It is important to take into account several aspects among which is the surgical technique applied, and to evaluate if there is something else at a systemic level. It would be wise to take an ultrasound scan of the abdominal wall to know what is happening. The best course of action is to consult one or several board certified plastic surgeon for more information and options tailored specifically to your needs. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

I’m a big fan of keeping the belly button small to get the most natural looking mid abdomen during a tummy tuck. Ideally the remnant of the belly button should pull skin in to create a natural funnel shape of the mid abdomen. to get the shape right requires removing sufficient amounts of subcutaneous fat to allow for a natural contour.
It is not unusual to get hypertrophic scar information on this part of the incision.
This is especially true for patients who are prone to this type of healing.
At this point there is very little to work with and I don’t see how a revision would help you with the exception of attempting to make a new belly button which is very difficult and often does not turn out any better.
Sometimes using silicone sheeting or very careful use of anti-inflammatory steroid injections can be helpful but can also cause problems.
Not an easy situation for either side.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD