Why is my belly button mis-shapen after tummy tuck? 10 years post-op (Photo)

Question

I had a tummy tuck about 10 years ago and I have always hated my belly button afterwards. I used to have an adorable belly button. Even though I had three children many years ago I still had an okay stomach, no stretch marks and a nice belly button. My doctor said I had a hernia and I wanted a tummy tuck anyway as I have big ribs and small hips and wanted a little contouring. When I healed I was missing most of my belly button. It's kind of triangular. It is not attractive at all!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear aeinks,
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

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

The hernia repair may required removing some of part of your actually belly button so you were left with just a scar. It is the fault of the hernia and not the repair.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Unfortunately it's not possible to tell you what led to the appearance of your current belly button.  You can consider a revision called an umbilicoplasty in order to reshape the belly button.  See a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Creating natural looking belly buttons during a tummy tuck is the most technically difficult part of the procedure.
Consistent natural looking belly buttons after a full tummy tuck is a hallmark of a talented plastic surgeon. In fact when I tell people how to find the most talented and experienced surgeon for this procedure I tell them to look critically at the bellybuttons of the entire before and after picture collection for each surgeon.
Surgeons who consistently get good looking bellybuttons are detail oriented technically talented and are generally superior plastic surgeons.
Typically the surgeons who get the best looking belly buttons get the overall best results as well. 
At tummy tuck is a permanent and irreversible procedure.
There is not much that can be done at this point to revise your bellybutton. your surgeon is responsible for the outcome and you are responsible for choosing that surgeon.
Some belly buttons are much more difficult to work with then others in order to get good outcomes.
In particular deep belly buttons are easier to work with and shallow belly buttons are more difficult.
The fact that you had an umbilical hernia may be a partial explanation for why your belly button looks the way it does.
We generally need to see before and after pictures to make an assessment on the outcome of an operation.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Jose A. Munoz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!From your photo, I note a healed umbilical scar with unfavorable broad periumbilical scarring. Was there a healing delay at the time of initial surgery? As "umbilici" come in different shapes and sizes, I do not see that the shape is the major factor here...It is the surgical scar.During abdominoplasty, the surgeon attempts to place the umbilical scar as close to the base of the umbilicus as possible to prevent externalization of the scar. However, this is not always possible. You are 10 years "down the road" since your original procedure. A scar revision is a possibility but may not be able to internalize the scar (and may result in a larger umbilical opening). The risk may outweigh the possible benefit.Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation as an in-person evaluation may prove beneficial as photos may be deceiving.Best wishes...

Why is my belly button mis-shapen after tummy tuck? 10 years post-op (Photo)

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