Why didn't my surgeon tell me he'd be changing my belly button?

Question

I had an umbilical hernia repair w/sutures. Surgeon told me he'd make a 1 inch incision and repair the "defect" w/"one stitch". Instead he flipped my belly button skin inside out, turned my deep innie into an outtie, and left extraordinarily painful sutures there. It also looks like he moved my belly button up. He never communicated this, said umbilical hernia repair would be simple and non-invasive. Why isn't the actual risk cosmetic & internal risk of this communicated to patients? The sutures in my umbilicus are incredibly painful 1 mth out

Babak Moeinolmolki, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question; I’m sorry to hear your results are not as you expected. No matter what abdominal surgery I am performing, I aim to ensure patients’ belly buttons have as close to their original appearance as possible. Belly buttons are very individual and can be unsettling for patients to have unexpected changes in their appearance. 
The pain you describe is atypical after an umbilical hernia repair. Follow up examination by your surgeon may be useful to help you determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment. 
Finally, video consultation with a cosmetic surgeon would explain your options to return your belly button as close as possible to its original appearance. Cosmetic surgeons such as myself are very familiar with this procedure and results are often excellent.
Best wishes,
Dr. Moein

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