Belly button revision? I'm worried it's too small & scarring around it is large (Photos)

Question

I had a tummy tuck with abdominal tightening about 5 months ago. I am extremely happy with my results, but now that my belly button is well healed, I am worried it is too small, and that the scarring around it is large. My surgeon said he does revisions at no cost, but I wanted other opinions before I speak with him. Thank you!

Tommaso Addona, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. 
A scar can take up to a full year to mature where it will become thinner and lighter. I recommend using a silicone based scar treatment such as Biocorneum. If the appearance of the scar does not improve, I recommend speaking with your plastic surgeon to discuss other forms of scar treatment. This can include steroid injections, laser, or even a revision. In terms of the umbilicus, you can look into an umbilical stent to help in shaping the umbilicus.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Lpolensky,
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

John Reilly, MD, FACS · Answer

There are a number of factors that can make a scar more visible. Excessive height, depression, color or width. Your scar seems to be a little bit thicker consistent with what is known as a hypertrophied scar. That can be softened to some degree with an injection of cortisone. You might want to see if that provides satisfactory results without having to perform a more invasive revision.

Wess Cohen, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Obviously, you have a lot of scar around the outside of your belly button. If it bothers you, I would recommend a revision. Now that everything is healed there is less tension pulling on your belly button which is what caused the unsightly scars. Depending on how your surgeon originally trimmed your belly button, it may be difficult or impossible for him/her to make it any larger however. Good luck.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I think your belly button looks pretty good although making it bigger is easy enough to do. Afterwards I recommend you buy an umbilical shaper which is a plastic plug you place inside the umbilicus and it prevents  it from contracting too much. You can buy them online.

Shana Kalaria, MD · Answer

Your scar is hypertrophic. It does not look that bad, and revision would likely make it look worse. I would recommend kenalog injections to the scar to help the thick scar to flatten and soften. Good luck!

Andrew T. Cohen, MD, FACS · Answer

Just have him cut our the keloid scar. A scar revision will help.   Trust your surgeon ..

You should do very well.  I have had to do a few revisions in my hands as well …for my patients. It is common and can be done under local .

Good luck

Andrew Cohen, MD

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The belly button does have a bit of a thicker scar around it.  You could potentially use steroid injections to smooth it.  If after a year it is still concerning you could consider a revision which would also address the scar.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

As a general statement having a small belly button is far more preferable than having a large belly button when it comes to tummy tuck surgery. This is especially true for those who form hypertrophic scars.
There are a couple of things that seem to consistently give quality natural looking belly buttons when doing this procedure. The first is keeping the belly button small and making a small skin incision when repositioning it. ideally the belly button stalk should be pulling down the skin to create the natural funnel seen on a normal mid abdomen. Individuals with deep belly buttons make this much easier while those who have shallow belly buttons make it difficult to have the bellybutton pull down the skin to create a realistic mid abdomen contour. Some surgeons place sutures either at the skin edge of the abdominal skin or at the skin edge of the belly button to pull down the skin and belly button towards the muscle fascia. this creates a pulled in appearance which is often more natural looking the way a belly button should look.
Your bellybutton is actually well above average and you may want to consider using silicone tape or talk to your plastic surgeon about possibly using dilute very small doses of anti-inflammatory steroid injections. skin incisions take about 12 to 18 months before they’re completely mature.
Without seeing before pictures I would say your tummy tuck looks well above average.
Revisions often don’t make the belly button look better. It just puts you through a procedure and now it looks different.
You will lose five months of the healing process and have to start the year and a half skin maturation process from the beginning if you have a revision.
It’s better to try to manage the scar now and keep it from getting worse or possibly reducing it without having side effects which can happen with steroid injections if not done conservatively.
Still, there is always a risk with stair injections and they can wide in scars but they are also very good at flattening thick scars
Follow up with your provider he seems to have done a nice job for you.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Belly button revision? I'm worried it's too small & scarring around it is large (Photos)

Answers (9)

More Tummy Tuck Revision Questions

Can this tummy tuck and belly button be corrected with a revision surgery? (Photos)

Could tightness & pulling be a symptom of tummy tuck failure 16 months post-op? (Photos)

Tummy tuck in January 2021, infected belly button after several weeks. Problem has continued. Options? (photos)

9 months post op, have another hernia after tummy tuck. Options? (photos)

Are there different techniques to a reverse tummy tuck?

Could pop & bulge be a muscle repair fail 10 years post-op tummy tuck?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS