I Want a Full Tummy Tuck, but No BB. Is That Possible?

Question

Is there any reason to keep a BB scar ?.. is it possible? are there any particular drawbacks? and cant it just be removed?

Lisa Cassileth, MD, FACS · Answer

In over ten years of practice, you are the first person to ask this. Everyone else is really concerned with having one and having it look normal, in fact better than normal! So thanks for making us all think a little. The answer is, of course, it is totally unnecessary, it will just look a little weird. In fact it will simplify the surgery. It may be hard to convince some one to do this! Good luck!

Vivek Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Some surgeons remove the BB, but other than cosmetic concerns, there is no real good use for one.  Discuss this with your surgeon. I hope this helps.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Abdominoplasty can be done with removing the umbilicus.  I routinely do this on people who have very thick abdominal walls since the umbilicus will often not survive leading to complications.  Patients who have this done often show their results to others to prove that it is possible.

	Best Wishes,

	Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

Generally speaking, plastic surgeons strive to make things look normal if not better than normal. Normal abdomens have belly buttons. So we try to make the belly buttons look like a great looking belly button (think models). That doesn't mean that the belly button has to be there. But it goes against our collective grain to omit one. If you have a good reason to want it gone, I see no excuse to force the norm. However, be prepared to live with your decision. Remade belly buttons seldom look as good as the real thing.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck can produce a tummy without a belly button, if that is desired. The drawback would be that this does not represent the normal anatomy. Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of tummy tucks and body contouring procedures each year. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

In abdominoplasty requires release of the attachment the umbilicus which means separating in the surrounding skin flap. Therefore scar in the vicinity is necessary. However the scars are generally very acceptable. Make sure your plastic surgeon can give you a good quality umbilicus.

Norman Bakshandeh Day, MD, FACS · Answer

this is unusual. most people are quite interested  in how the belly button looks. the belly button is sacrificed in very large tummy tucks where its survival is difficult

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

The belly button really represents scar tissue that extends from the skin to the muscle wall fascia, and as such there are no vital structures. It is possible to perform tummy tuck without replacing the belly button, but this will impact the appearance of the tummy. In some instances the belly button has become so stretched and elongated that it is virtually necessary to remove it, but this is the exception rather than the rule. In most cases people are concerned that the belly button won't appear normal as this is normally an important aesthetic landmark on the abdomen. However, if you are committed to doing without yours, and you are fully informed of the implications, then I think it can be done. Just remember it is much easier to remove a perfectly good belly button than it is to reconstruct one down the line if you ever change your mind.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Yes,it is possible. I have done this a few times in massively obese patients needing panniculectomy (excess skin excision), where the risks of transposing the navel were high. 

	But the appearance is so unusual that I would need a better understanding of your motives. All the best.

Angela Champion, MD · Answer

To answer your question, yes it can be done. If I could ask a question, it would be why? If it's because you want to avoid the scar around the belly button, keep in mind that it will fade out nicely in about a year and not be noticeable at all. I don't think I've had one patient complain about their belly button scar when they have a TT. If you are concerned about it not looking good, keep in mind that in the hands of an experienced board certified plastic surgeon, most belly buttons look better than they originally did before your surgery. It would just look unnatural and I don't know any board certified plastic surgeon who would do that. let this information absorb and give it a little more thought. ac

I Want a Full Tummy Tuck, but No BB. Is That Possible?

Answers (11)

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