32, 5'6" 175lbs, extra skin. Can I get a tummy tuck with losing my belly button? (Photo)

It sounds like your first doctor “floated” your belly button. That means it was cut at the base and advanced down with the abdominal skin. A procedure that now would cut around the top of the belly button would put it at much higher risk of ischemia due to poor blood flow. If an incision was made around the belly button at the time of surgery and it did not appear perfused, there are procedures that can be done to create a new umbilicus. In that situation however your original belly button would be removed. Best wishes.

Thank you for your question regarding whether you can get a tummy tuck without losing your belly button. The problem here is that during your first surgery, your first plastic surgeon cut the bottom of your belly button stock during your mini tummy tuck. This has completely and permanently removed the blood supply of the belly button from the lower abdominal wall. The blood supply to your belly button now completely relies on the skin around it and not from below. The analogy that I use is that it's sort of like a tree. If you imagine the belly button like a tree, it has leaves and roots. During your previous mini tummy tuck, the roots of the tree were cut off. The life of the tree now depends on the leaves. Since the bottom of your belly button was completely transected, there is no way to save the belly button. In my opinion, I would definitely have a tummy tuck and a new belly button can be reconstructed. Otherwise, you will have to live with your abdomen the way it is. Thank you for your question and I hope this helps.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. It’s hard to tell from these photos whether a full tummy tuck is required, but if your doctors feels that it is, he is correct in letting you know that you will lose your belly button.

Ok this is tricky but I do about 4-5 patients a year with your scenario. I use a technique called a vascular delay to the umbilicus about 2-3 weeks ahead of your TT. Seems to work and I have not had any issues with necrosis of the umbilicus- however I always warn the patient that I can't predict everything! Feel free to call our office and we can always set up a virtual to discuss this scenario more. 847-853-9900
Best Wishes!!

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. If your original procedure "floated" your belly button then it is possible that conversion to a full tummy tuck will result in wound healing issues for your navel.

Hello! You could perfectly get a tummy tuck without loosing your belly button nor it looking weird after that!

Dear Fantastic415791,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

no one removes or amputates the umbilicus when you get a TT. The surgeon cuts around your umbilicus which is attached to you, and it then retracts under the skin. When the lower abdominal skin is pulled tight and a large portion of the skin and fat is removed, a new opening needs to be made for your existing umbilicus and it comes out thru this opening (like a button on your shirt). you are not getting a new umbilicus. you will get a scar around it, but usually the shape should be quite natural looking.

i would add, that very few patients, are good candidates for mini-TT and most women need a full TT.

david berman md, frcsc

ps almost all scars improve with each passing year and get fainter. i have seen a number of women, who have tattooed their abdominal and umbilical scars which really hides it perfectly, for those that like tattoos.

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photos, I note a degree of abdominal fullness, but no hanging pannus or significant abdominal stretch marks.
Survival of the belly button depends upon the extent of the original umbilical injury. If the stalk was completely severed during the mini-tuck, its survival following a full tummy tuck is questionable.
A flap delay can potentially improve umbilical circulation by partially separating the umbilicus from surrounding tissues serially (several procedures) over time to "encourage" development of collateral circulation.
Or, since the umbilicus most likely has maintained its viability from surrounding tissues rather than its damaged stalk, performance of a "floating umbilicus" procedure maintains the skin and soft tissue attachments to the umbilicus and does not depend upon the stalk blood supply. Since there is not a significant amount of tissue to be removed, this may be the most viable option.
Discuss alternative surgeries with your plastic surgeon.
Best wishes...