Re-centering Belly Button After Tummy Tuck?

If the navel is off center by only a quarter of an inch, it can be reposition with local anesthesia.  There are several ways to do it but tightening the fascia on the opposite side of the deviation can move it laterally without any further scarring on the abdominal wall.  A second option is to make a lateral skin incision and pull it towards the midline by way of skin tension.  The navel may, however, have a slanted funnel.

Hello beaches2961 in Dover, DE. Thank you for your question regarding the possibility of re-centering your belly button after a tummy tuck.

It’s not uncommon for the belly button to appear slightly off-center after a tummy tuck due to the natural healing process and the way skin is redraped. A quarter-inch deviation might be minor, but if it's noticeable and bothers you, there are corrective options available.

Surgical Revision: The most direct method to re-center your belly button is through a minor surgical revision. This procedure typically involves making small incisions around the belly button to detach it and then repositioning it in a more anatomically aligned spot. The surgery is generally straightforward and can often be performed under local anesthesia.

What to Consider:

Consultation: It's important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring and revisions. They can assess your specific situation and determine if a revision is advisable based on the degree of misalignment and your overall aesthetic goals.

Timing: If your tummy tuck was recent, it's usually recommended to wait until all swelling has subsided and the healing process is complete before considering revision surgery. This waiting period allows your body to stabilize, providing a clearer picture of what adjustments are needed.

Recovery: Recovery from a belly button revision is typically less intensive than your original tummy tuck. You might experience some swelling and discomfort, but these should be manageable with over-the-counter pain medication and should resolve within a few weeks.

Expectations: It’s essential to have realistic expectations about the outcome. While a revision can certainly improve the placement of your belly button, perfect symmetry might not always be achievable due to factors like skin elasticity and individual healing patterns.

Discussing your concerns and potential solutions with your surgeon will help you understand the procedure, risks, and what results you can realistically expect. If the misalignment is slight, they might also advise on the aesthetic benefits versus the risks of undergoing another procedure.

Good luck with your decision, and I hope you achieve the results that make you feel most confident.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Numerous issues surround an off centered umbilicus and it is most likely due to an off centered umbilicus pror to surgery. Commonly this is associated with a minor scoliosis. Once it is placed, options for correction include tightening the muscle to "pull" it over to the other side or sliding it throught the skin which will leave a scar on one side.