What tummy tuck type would you recommend for sagging under belly button? (Photos)

Question

Hi! Mom of three little ones, in perfect weight and mostly happy with my abdomen appearance. The only thing I dislike is the sagging under my belly button when I bend. It’s like thin wrinkly skin. I don’t have diastasis recti ( at least no more than 1-2 cm) so I don’t necessarily feel like I need to correct that. My belly button is nice but sits a little low as you see here. What would be the best option to get rid of some extra skin below my abdomen? Mini TT, mini TT, floating? Something else. Thank you

Ira H. Rex III, MD · Answer

Everybody has some loosening of the skin when they bent forward.  It seems when you stand up straight, it corrects itself, and you do not truly have much extra skin.  I do not think there is much to do here surgically.  You are certainly lucky to have made it through pregnancies and have an aesthetically pleasing abdomen!

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You are a good candidate for a mini-TT and liposuction. This will remove the extra skin below the belly button and improve the contour.

Jacob Carlson, MD · Answer

In your situation, a mini tummy tuck would be a very reasonable option. By extending the incision slightly longer than a standard C-section–type incision, a surgeon can remove the loose skin just below the belly button.A mini tummy tuck will not significantly tighten the small amount of laxity directly above the belly button, but based on your description, that area appears minimal and may not justify a more extensive procedure. Overall, a mini tummy tuck should address the specific concern you are looking to improve while keeping the procedure more limited.

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

Your point is valid, the skin below the umbilicus is where a majority of the laxity is located. A mini-TT will take care of the laxity below the belly button. There is some loose skin around the umbilicus, but if it is not overly bothersome, then a mini-tt will suffice; otherwise we would consider an umbilical transposition. See attached reference. Thank you for sharing.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing the details and photos!

In your case a mini tummy tuck (or variations like a floating mini tummy tuck) is often the procedure that addresses lower abdominal skin laxity while preserving your natural belly button position.

The exact technique that would give you the best result depends on your skin quality, amount of laxity, and your goals. The best next step is to schedule a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon who can assess your case in greater detail and provide individualized recommendations -- Click on this question's supporting link !

Yucel Sarialtin, MD · Answer

As someone who’s worked with many postpartum patients over the years, I understand how even subtle changes&mdash;like wrinkling below the belly button&mdash;can affect how you feel about your body, especially when you're otherwise fit and happy with your appearance.From what you’ve described&mdash;no significant diastasis recti, good abdominal tone, and localized skin laxity when bending&mdash;a mini tummy tuck could be a very effective solution. It targets the excess skin below the navel without requiring full muscle repair or repositioning of the belly button.In some cases, a floating belly button technique may be considered if the umbilicus sits slightly low and we want to refine its position without a full abdominoplasty. However, this depends on your anatomy and how much correction is needed.Ultimately, the best approach comes down to a detailed in-person evaluation. Skin thickness, elasticity, and scar placement all play a role in choosing the right technique. My goal is always to offer a solution that’s both natural-looking and long-lasting.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  If you don't have a rectus diastasis and you are happy with your upper abdomen, a mini tummy tuck may be a reasonable option to tighten the lower abdomen.  You noted that your belly button sits a little low on your abdomen, and if anything a floating belly button tummy tuck would move it even lower, so that might not be an ideal option in your case.   Hopefully you will get more information on the pros/cons of each procedure by seeking an in-person consult, where the surgeon can take a more detailed history, assess the degree of skin laxity, etc.  All the best.

Guray Yesiladali, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

When the only concern is a small amount of thin, wrinkled skin under the belly button, a full tummy tuck is usually not necessary. A mini tummy tuck is often the best solution in this situation, since it directly removes the excess skin below the navel and smooths the lower abdomen.
Because you do not have significant diastasis, muscle repair would not be required. A floating navel technique is usually reserved for patients who want to change the position of the belly button, so it may not add benefit in your case.
If you prefer to avoid surgery, energy based skin tightening treatments can provide some modest improvement, but the most predictable and lasting result comes from a mini tummy tuck.
I have also shared a detailed video where I explain the differences between full, mini, and floating tummy tuck techniques, with examples of which patients are best suited for each.
&mdash; Güray Yesiladali, MD

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

There will always be some skin laxity there since it allows you to bend and twist your mid-section. However, when you stand straight it doesn’t seem like the issue is as apparent. For that reason, it may be that only a bit of skin tightening is necessary. You may want to consider whether the surgical experience would be worth this minor improvement.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos. If your skin excess is truly only underneath your belly button, a mini tummy tuck can help to remove the excess skin and smooth your lower abdomen.  A tummy tuck with an umbilical float can allow smoothing and tightening of your entire abdomen but can leave the belly button slightly low.  An in person examination with your plastic surgeon would be required to assess your abdominal skin laxity. Best wishes.

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

An in-person consultation is needed, but you could benefit from a Mini Tummy Tuck. When a patient's skin laxity is limited to below umbilicus, you are pleased with aesthetics to upper abdomen and don't need a muscle repair, you can get away with a mini. The incision will be about 2/3 the length of a traditional abdominoplasty scar but much less overall healing.

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