General surgeon is doing a hernia repair and tummy tuck, but wants to take the belly button? Help! Why? (Photo)

From your photos it looks like you may need an abdominal wall reconstruction which can be quite complex. While it is possible to combine it with a tummy tuck, you really should have a local plastic surgeon experienced in such cases examine you and give an opinion before you proceed withy your plan.

You should consult with a plastic surgeon.  I have seen many cases like yours and I have never had to sacrifice the belly button.  The best would be for the plastic surgeon and general surgeon to work together.

I became board certified in general surgery before becoming board certified in plastic surgery.  I would never dream of doing a tummy tuck as a general surgeon.  However we do tummy tucks on a nearly daily basis as plastic surgeons.Your tummy tuck is very complex but would NOT require removal of the belly button.Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon before proceeding on your current plan.

Hello, and thank you for your questions in your photos. Unfortunately, it sounds like you have a very large hernia which may cause some difficulty while trying to perform the abdominoplasty. Although the general surgeon may be able to perform an abdominoplasty, you may also consider having this procedure done by a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who may work consultation with the general surgeon. We frequently will assist of the general surgeons in our areas on these procedures. There certainly will be some cosmetic deformity without an umbilicus. You can discuss all of this with her plastic surgeon and there may be some thoughts regarding consideration for a delayed reconstruction for a bellybutton at a later date if you lose a bellybutton due to blood vessel concerns. Best of luck with your decision.

To answer your question very bluntly as to why the general surgeon wishes to remove the belly button is that he/she has never been trained to do tummy tucks or cosmetic procedures. If you wish to do a tummy tuck at the time you do the hernia repair (and you would appear to be a good candidate) you should see a board certified plastic surgeon who does abdominoplasties all the time who can work with the general surgeon. He/she will expose the area, help with how to salvage the umbilicus and then correct the skin excess. One reason for removing the umbilicus is that it is easier because you do not have to worry about its blood supply. To preserve the blood supply requires significant expertise.

Why? Probably because he is a general surgeon with little or no experience in cosmetic abdominoplasty. That is a very bad idea - both the general surgeon and the taking of the belly button. Get a consult with a plastic surgeon that is willing to work with the general surgeon. If the general surgeon is not willing to do that, find another surgeon.