Is it normal to have excess skin where piercing was after pregnancy? Can it be fixed? (Photo)

Question

When i was pregnant at one month i took out my piercing. Now that ive given birth (its been 5 months) my belly button now sticks out and where my piercing was there is an extra flap of skin with no feeling what so ever. Is it normal to have that skin? Can it be fix?

Alfredo Hoyos, MD · Answer

One of the changes in the post delivery period include skin laxity and hyper pigmentation in some zones (umbilicus also). Maybe you need some other intervention rather than a simple resection over your belly button as tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck. Remember that the physical examination and a careful interview with your surgeon is always the best consultation.Thanks for asking. Have a great day!

Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS · Answer

Unfortunately a pregnancy can cause skin to stretch and produce stretch marks.  Some women also get a separation of their abdominal muscles which is known as a diastasis.  Some also can get a hernia -- a bulge in the belly button every time you cough or sneeze. You should see your doctor to see if you do have a hernia.  If you are done having children, you may consider a tummy tuck to remove the loose skin and tighten up the separated abdominal muscles.

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

The area around the umbilicus for the vast majority of women is the area of maximal prominence and expansion of the abdomen during pregnancy, and thus the area of maximal tension on the skin and maximal disruption of the skin's elastic fibers.  That is why so many women, you included, have stretch marks, loose skin, and distortion of the umbilicus in that area.  When the skin is pierced, it is further weakened, and adding the additional trauma to the weakened, thinned skin from a piercing can create more pronounced laxity and "flimsiness" of the skin.  If it's just the extra fold of skin in the umbilicus itself that bothers you, this can usually be corrected with a limited removal of the excess under local anesthesia.  If it's all of the lax skin and stretch marks around the umbilicus that you don't like, you will most likely need a tummy tuck to improve that.  It would be best for you to find an experienced board certified plastic surgeon in your area who can personally evaluate your tummy and discuss your goals with you so that an individualized plan can be created for you.  Good luck.

Is it normal to have excess skin where piercing was after pregnancy? Can it be fixed? (Photo)

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Is it normal to have excess skin where piercing was after pregnancy? Can it be fixed? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Belly Button Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.