Belly button looks very narrow after tummy tuck, is it normal?

Hello 626mommy-

Every plastic surgeon does procedures differently including the creation of belly buttons. After pulling your abdominal skin down and tighter, your surgeon created a new hole in your skin through which s/he brought your original belly button (umbilicus). The appearance of the umbilical opening after this maneuver is determined by many factors, but the most important one is how s/he cut the new hole in the skin.

Your belly button can be easily made less narrow (more button shape!) by excising some of the skin on both sides of it. Your surgeon has probably already discussed this with you. If not, just ask him/her.

Regarding the odor, clean with hydrogen peroxide once and thereafter just clean in shower well and dry with hair dryer if necessary. If moisture accumulates, then place corner of gauze through opening during the day, so it can stay dry (until the opening is opened surgically a bit further).

Good luck.

but my normal differs from what you have. And I would suggest seeing your surgeon about options from extending the excision laterally to z-plasties on the incisions. Your surgeon must listen to your desires and formulate a plan that can accomplish them.

Yes the bb appears in a very vertical dimension. But revision might increase the scar appearance. Best to discuss with your surgeon.

Every surgeon has a different technique for how they re-create the belly button. Some just make a slit, others make a circle, some a chevron sign...it varies significantly. If it doesn't open up after 6 months of healing, then you may be a candidate for a revision. Make sure you are evaluated by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Good Luck!

Because of the amount of tissue removed, the tension in the skin after tummy tuck goes up and down rather than side to side. This tends to narrow and elongate the belly button in a vertical direction. I compensate for that by making an upside-down V-shaped incision in the skin that is sutured to the belly button's cut edge, stenting it opened. I also anchor the base of the belly button down to the abdominal fascia to maintain depth. At four months, I would not expect a significant change other than the scar fading.