Should I be worried that the center of my abs don't line up with my belly button? (photo)

Question

Hello. I'm 3 weeks, 5 days post op from a mommy makeover. Today was the 1st day that my swelling has lessened. I can see where my abs come together. I'm really worried about the indentation line between the center of my abs. My belly button doesn't fall on the line. I'm 5'3" 119 lbs with very thin skin and not much fat on my stomach area. I'm really worried that the indention is not going to line up with my belly button. Should I be worried?

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

In an attempt to keep the abdominoplasty incision short, your plastic surgeon pleated your skin towards the midline.This combined with your very thin skin has led to a midline indentation in the middle of your abdomen.  Belly buttons are not a midline structure.  They tend to be off to one side or the other on most individuals.  This slight asymmetry would be much less obvious if you and your plastic surgeon decided to revise the abdominoplasty incision and extend it laterally.  This would also get rid of many of the wrinkles in the mid portion of your abdomen.  Many plastic surgeons believe that patients want a short abdominoplasty incision.  I personally believe that if the incision is low, thin and fine, it will be acceptable to most patients and won't have the untoward appearance that your abdomen presently shows.

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Dear Sd1210, Thank you for submitting your question.  Your very early in your recovery from your tummy tuck.  Your swollen and the belly button does change over the course of several weeks after the procedure.  Discuss your concerns with your Plastic Surgeon.  Best Wishes

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Sometimes swelling can make an umbilicus eccentric. If this persists after resolution it can be centered better with a minor procedure using local anesthesia only.

Ellen A. Janetzke, MD · Answer

I would not worry too much yet as a lot of changes have yet to occur. Wait a good 3-4 months before making any "final" judgements. (It might even take longer.)  You also may wish to look at our pre-op pictures as it may not have been in the middle originally. It looks fairly central in this picture. The indentation looks off center. This could certainly change over time. Hang in there!

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

You are early in the healing phase and much of your issues will resolve with time. Wearing a simple compression panty girdle will have a marked influence on your healing. Your tissue will remodel over time and especially with some compression.

Ron Hazani, MD, FACS · Answer

The indintations are likely the result of pleating of the skin in an attempt to minimize your overall scar length. You may need to have the procedure revised to a full length abdominoplasty incision in order to correct the indintations.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Based on the picture posted the position of the umbilicus is the least of the problems.This will not change with resolution of the swelling.

William C. Rigano, MD (retired) · Answer

The line up of your central liposuction and belly button will likely not change much.The result will soften over the next several months and change. If needed the belly button can be shifted easily under local anesthesia.

Should I be worried that the center of my abs don't line up with my belly button? (photo)

Answers (8)

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