Is the tugging sensation normal after tummy tuck? (photos)

Question

I posted earlier this year about this. I had a tummy tuck a little over two years ago, and I still have that tugging, twitching, sensation at my belly button. It's really not a good feeling. I have to wear something compressed against it to not feel the sensation. I visited my PS a few months, and he said he didn't know what it could be, and that he didn't know what else he could do. I am at a point where I don't know what else my options could be.

David Liland, MD · Answer

Your Tummy Tuck post op complaint of a pulling sensation sound like a short stalk and positioning on the abdomen high or low from the center of abdominal skin  where there might be  less tension, possibly. I did see what appears to be scar tissue hulling downwards at the base of the BB and this could be an issue also. A conversion to a float in BB, releasing it from the abdominal wall attachment, might improve symptoms and appearance. After release maybe some local fat transfer to the area to to help resolve the indentation.

Paul Silverstein, MD (retired) · Answer

It is obvious that your belly button was not moved during the tummy tuck procedure.  That is creating the long vertical fold in your skin, and the pulling sensation (because the stalk of the belly button is too short.)  Your options are to move the belly button now (which will add new scars), or sever the stalk and create a "floating" belly button.  Neither of these procedures is difficult, and your PS should be able to di it at no charge to you as an out patient procedure under local anesthesia.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

One possibility is that you're umbilical or belly button stalk is simply too short and is tethering the skin down to the fascia.  Revisit your plastic surgeon and ask his conversion to a floating belly button might help relieve your discomfort.

Is the tugging sensation normal after tummy tuck? (photos)

Answers (3)

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