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

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.

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.

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.

             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

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.