Belly button closed up after tummy tuck. I am still swollen or the doctor didn't take out enough during liposuction (Photo)

Question

I had a full tummy tuck, lipo to the flanks, abs, tail bone in dec 2016. I look bloated and my belly button is closing up. The dr said he would fix the belly button. There seems to be extra fat that should have been removed and I just look bigger than I should after going thru this kind of procedure. Does this look normal to you? Is this normal for the belly button to close like this? The dr is very nice but I'm disappointed in the outcome of an expensive surgery. What do I do?

Malcolm A. Lesavoy, MD, FACS · Answer

It is not uncommon for some revisions to be made after this or any operation, but you should wait t least 4-6 months for all your tissues to calm down and the swelling is at its least.  Your belly button also can be revised.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and yes, your belly button can be opened up and if there is fat that can be suctioned, your surgeon will let you know where it can be done.  Your pinching on your upper abdomen shows no more fat so let your surgeon guide you through the revision process and help you see what result you will have if you pursued specific revisions.

Donald W. Hause, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions. Healing after surgery in a complicated series of events that can take some time and may not go exactly the way we plan. Consequently some patients need revisions after surgery and in some studies that number can be as high as 20+%. Your belly button has developed and overly-contacted scar which can happen with any scar. In the case of a round scar, the circle becomes smaller until it is a problem. Your surgeon should be able to revise that with some sort of Plastic Surgical Z-plasty at some point. Because we like the healing processes  to be relatively stable and finished, we ask patients to wait 6-12 months because many problems will resolve after the scars and tissue mature their healing processes. It's hard to be patient, but usually if you are, you are well rewarded. It appears the belly button will benefit from revision. The other concerns may fix themselves in the next 6 months or so. Be sure to keep in touch with your surgeon during this process. Best of luck.

Belly button closed up after tummy tuck. I am still swollen or the doctor didn't take out enough during liposuction (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Belly button closed up after tummy tuck. I am still swollen or the doctor didn't take out enough during liposuction (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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