Why do some belly buttons look fake after TT and others look natural as if there was no surgery done?

How your belly button looks post op is very much dependent upon your surgeon and the technique that they use.  Make sure you see before and afters of belly buttons that your surgeon has done....and you are right, a poorly done belly button can completely ruin the overall aesthetics.Best wishes and good luck.

The appearance of the umbilicus is a something that should be as perfect as possible and you should not be able to pick it out as unnatural.I would suggest a surgeon with at least 15years of experience who can show you many photos of such patients and can even have you speak with them. Hope this helpsLeland Deane MD FACSManhattan,garden city and Babylon NY

Hello and thank you for your question. It is highly dependent on the technique used.  I agree with you that the belly button is one of the most important aspects of the surgery.  The belly button should be designed in a way to become an innie with no visible external scar, producing a natural looking result.  Make sure you
specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have
had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  The
most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I
recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic
surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

This mainly depends on the skill of your surgeon. Be sure you are seeing a Board Certified Plastic surgeon and have a frank discussion about your concerns. Ask to see before and after pictures of patients so that you can get a good idea of what to expect. Good luck!

Generally there are two sets of factors that affect how a scar/belly button looks.  The first is the surgical technique and the second how each patient heals. There are a number of different techniques to create a more natural appearance of a belly button, but one aspect that is not in the surgeons control is how the belly button looks before surgery.  We try to put the scars along the inside seam fo the belly button so that they will heal and not be visible.  Some patients develop thick scars and discoloration.  We try our best, but the healing process is not completely in our control.

Each doctor may use a different technique - look at their photos and see what kind of belly buttons they make. Sometimes, your anatomy determined what kind of belly button you get. 

thank you for the question. The belly bottom appearance has a lot to do with several factors. The quality of scar has an important impact on the result. Obviously the surgical technique has a lot to do with the outcome as well. I use a number of technique to improve the results including shaving the fat behind the umbilicus, designing the suture line so that it is hard to see from the front, anchoring sutures so that a pleasing indentation is seen. Good luck on your surgery. 

surgical skill and experience performing the abdominoplasty is key. Additionally, keep in mind that many photos aren't indicative of full healing. Best wishes.

Thank you for the question.  You are not alone; many patients are very concerned about the postoperative appearance of their umbilicus. Ultimately, the appearance of your umbilicus will be largely dependent on the technical skill and the aesthetic sense of your chosen plastic surgery. This is one of the many reasons why selection of your plastic surgeon will be the most important decisions you make.  Ask to see lots of examples of his/her work and preferably see/talk to patients who your prospective  plastic surgeon has helped in the past.Understandably, the appearance of the umbilicus is of great importance to many patients undergoing tummy tuck surgery; after all, it may be the only telltale sign of having undergone the tummy tuck surgery when the patient is wearing a swimming suit or undergarments. The umbilicus should be positioned carefully; if it is too high or too low, it may be a sign of tummy tuck surgery. Ifit is too round or slit like it may also look "surgical". Most patients prefer a relatively small and oval-shaped umbilicus. I hope this, and the attached link/video, helps.

Thank you for your question.Because each surgeon has different tummy tuck techniques, I would advise you to look at the surgeons before and after photos to see the results of his patients and if you like them or not and to voice your questions and concerns about the belly button you desire so that you and your surgeon are on the same page. In regards to the scar, there are options out there such as topical scar creams and lasers that can help diminish the look of the scar. Avoiding sun exposure and always applying a high SPF to the area is important in preventing hyperpigmentation (darkening of the scar tissue).Good luck in your endeavors!Sincerely,

James Fernau, MD, FACSBoard Certified ENTBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonMember of ASPS, ASAPS, ISAPS, The Rhinoplasty Society, AAFPRS, OTO/HNS, ASLMS