Loose skin above belly button removal?

Question

I lost 135 pounds over six years ago. I am in shape but my only issue is my bellybutton. It has enough loose skin above it that it makes it sag..and because of the skin laying on it I keep getting infections inside of it. I of course clean it every time I shower and make sure it gets dry but it just cant be helped. I do stomach exercises but hear that wont help. I cant afford surgery now but besides a full tummy tuck is there surgery just for belly buttons?

Gregory T. Lynam, MD · Answer

Depending on what you look like a number of options are possible. All will leave a scar where the extra skin is removed. Good luck and see a plastic surgeon.

Adam Tattelbaum, MD · Answer

You are correct that your weight loss has caused the loose skin that  is causing the problem. The most common treatment is full tummy tuck which will pull down and flatten this skin above the umbilicus.Interestingly , the belly button could be removed likely under a local anesthesia, but the problem is most likely the skin fold itself and not just the belly button. I find though that most patients to not want to part with their belly buttons (even tough we don't really need them.)While abdominoplasy is expensive many plastic surgeons work with financing companies to help make surgery more affordable.Given the work you have done to accomplish your weight loss picking the right operations will likely be your best bet.Best wishes.

Kimberly A. Henry, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question! I would love to see some pictures! If you do not mind having a scar, then yes a direct excision can be done. A tummy tuck would be your best option, though, as your weight loss is significant and probably caused you to have a lot of loose skin. Best of luck!

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

Practically speaking the treatment for this is a tummy tuck. If you want to be creative a "reverse tummy tuck" where the incision is made under the breasts, may be useful. This would not be the first choice. Finally, because the belly button is holding  the skin at one point, not allowing it to sag elsewhere, a procedure can be performed where the incision is made around the belly button, the skin is undermined in most of the belly and then is re draped, allowing it to be distributed over a larger area, then make a new hole for the belly button  and bring it out through that hole and close the old hole. The main problem with this is that the excess skin may end up accumulating in the lower belly and you may not like that situation either.

John Cassel, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

The loose skin above the belly button is improved only with tummy tuck. It is emblematic of the fact that liposuction will not help, and the amount of skin that can be pulled down in tummy tuck is probably larger than you think. Wait until you can afford the tummy tuck. Any other procedure will leave you dissatisfied.

Loose skin above belly button removal?

Answers (5)

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