Should I get umbilical float Tummy tuck instead of vertical scar from old belly button? (photos)

I have had very happy patients with an umbilical float. I ask my patients to decide what is more important to them: not having a vertical incision vs the possibility of having a belly button that looks a little low. Good luck!

Hello,Absolutely not.  Your belly button is in a very specific place on your body, and 'floating' it will disturb that position, usually much more than the doctor initially realized.  Many surgeons are still having a hard time realizing that the little vertical scar is infinitely better than the horizontal scar placed too high, or in your case, a belly button repositioned too low. Go find a surgeon that not only has his aesthetic priorities in place, but also avoids the use of drains with progressive tension sutures. Best of luck!

Your pictures show a high belly button, relatively little fat, and good skin tone in the upper abdomen which is good when considering an umbilical float. It is not commonly done but you could be a candidate. An in-person evaluation is the only way to know for sure.

Thank you for your question. I personally do not like an umbilical float procedure because of the risk of placing the belly button in an unnaturally low position. This is a bad look, and in an attempt to avoid a low belly button, the surgeon may remove too little skin. I prefer a full tummy tuck procedure and find that the small vertical incision, where the old belly button used to be, heals nicely. I always keep the incision low, and do not try to raise it to remove the belly button hole. I mark patients for surgery while they are wearing a bikini bottom, or underwear, so that I make sure to keep the incision hidden by their clothing.  

I'm not a fan of the umbilical float.  The umbilicus often moves abnormally much from side to side and can appear flat and unnatural.  The umbilicus is a complex structure, not just a circle on the front of the abdomen.  It is best to preserve as much of that as possible.

Hello and thank you for a very good question. When I look at the side view I see a fair amount of bulge.  Although right now the upper skin is tight, if the bulge is adequately repaired there will be loose skin up top(right now the bulge is filling out the skin).  You could do the operation either way but if you float the belly button you will not be as tight as with a full tummy tuck.  It depends on what you goals are.  If you want to minimize scars the float would work but if you want the greatest degree of tightness and flatness, then a full tummy tuck might be a better option. If you are unsure, getting a second opinion in your area might be helpful.  Best wishes

When I discuss the benefits of a tummy tuck with my patients I try to explain how much improvement they will get from the skin removal and how much improvement they will get from the muscle repair.  It is clear from your photos that muscle repair will be the most helpful for you.  The amount of excess skin you have is hard to tell from your photos and is best demonstrated with the "divers" view (bending at the waist and photo taken from the side).  I have used both techniques with good results.  It is important to avoid excess lowering of the umbilicus and I will usually only lower it 1 to 1.5 cm.  When using this technique the amount of skin removed will be more limited but you don't appear to have much excess to begin with.  I think you could have good results using either technique as long as the muscle repair is done well.

Hello and thanks for posting your question and photos!You most certainly would benefit from a full abdominoplasty procedure, which would not only address excess skin, but would tighten your abdominal wall and flatten your abdomen. A small retained umbilical scar at the very bottom of their skin incision may be necessary if all of the skin from the belly butting to the horizontal incision cannot be removed. Frequently , that small vertical scar can be excised in the future if it is bothersome. The ability of the surgeon to flatten the abdomen with fascial plication sutures is much improved with a full abdominoplasty appraoch rather than with limited scar and umbilical float techniques. An umbilical float procedure also detaches your belly button from the blood vessels of your abdominal wall that keep it alive-this will make a full abdominoplasty that preserves your belly button in the future virtually impossible. I would recommend seeking a second consultation with a reputable Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area to be evaluated for the best and safest approach to achieve your ultimate goals.My very best wishes to you in accomplishing your goals!

There are a variety of surgical procedures or combinations that can produce good results in patients with abdominal laxity, depending on multiple factors including their anatomy and degree of desired improvement: A mini tummy tuck, an umbilical float modified tummy tuck, a full abdominoplasty. Each of these can be performed with or without liposuction and repair of the diastasis recti. They produce different degrees of improvement. A full tummy tuck with a short vertical scar to close the old belly button incision will produce a better long term cosmetic correction in a patient with your anatomy.


Following the advice of anyone who would presume to tell you what to do based on two dimensional photos without taking a full medical history, examining you, feeling and assessing your tissue tone, discussing your desired outcome and fully informing you about the pros and cons of each option would not be in your best interest. Find a plastic surgeon that you are comfortable with and one that you trust and listen to his or her advice. The surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.



Robert Singer, MD FACS  La Jolla, California

Judging from your photos, you do not appear to have sufficient upper abdominal laxity to perform a standard abdominoplasty without a vertical incision to close the umbilical opening. In this situation, 'floating' the umbilicus with the abdominal flap may be an option, but will result in a lowered umbilical position. This is not always undesirable, as the umbilical position can become elevated with multiple pregnancies. A muscle repair is almost always indicated as well. I would say that your surgeon is on the right track. Good luck to you.