Can you remove absorbable mesh from the belly button? Acts as a block from standing. 5 yrs PO. Can you make bb bigger?

Question

Its 100% my bb causing the issue. It feels like a ball of cement. I cant stretch out to sleep, sit, twist bc of the rigidness. My abdominal wall feels too short for my body. I've stretched, done physio, massages, nothing helps. It feels as if the Dr pulled the skin inward and pushed my bb inside. Where is my bb stalk? I have no quality of life. Body isnt fully functional. Upper and lower abs are loose and relaxed but bb is very pushed in. Im off balance now. How do you revise this?

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Removing absorbable mesh from the belly button area can be challenging, especially if it has become encapsulated or integrated into surrounding tissues. However, it's possible in some cases, and it typically requires surgical intervention.

Here are some considerations regarding removing absorbable mesh from the belly button area:

Evaluation by a Surgeon: Before considering mesh removal, it's essential to consult with a qualified surgeon who has experience in abdominal surgery and mesh removal procedures. The surgeon will assess the mesh, its location, any associated symptoms, and the feasibility of removal based on your specific situation.

Imaging Studies: In some cases, imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scan may be necessary to evaluate the extent of mesh integration and plan the surgical approach.

Surgical Procedure: Mesh removal surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon will carefully dissect the tissues surrounding the belly button to access and remove the mesh. The procedure may involve careful dissection to avoid damaging surrounding structures.

Potential Complications: Mesh removal surgery carries risks, including bleeding, infection, damage to surrounding tissues, and recurrence of symptoms. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you and take appropriate measures to minimize them.

Regarding making the belly button bigger, this is a separate cosmetic procedure and can be performed independently or in conjunction with mesh removal surgery, depending on your goals and the recommendations of your surgeon. Belly button revision surgery, also known as umbilicoplasty, can alter the size, shape, and appearance of the belly button to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing result.

During a belly button revision procedure, the surgeon can make the belly button larger by carefully excising excess tissue or reshaping the surrounding skin. The specific technique used will depend on your anatomy and desired outcome.

It's essential to discuss your concerns and goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your individual case and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for you. They will consider factors such as your medical history, current health status, and aesthetic preferences to develop a personalized approach to address your concerns effectively.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question regarding the issues with your belly button and the possibility of removing the absorbable mesh. I appreciate you sharing your history, and I’m sorry that you are dealing with this discomfort and functional limitation.

A physical examination is crucial in determining the exact issue, and I would also recommend getting a CT scan to assess what’s happening internally. While absorbable mesh typically dissolves over time, if you are still experiencing a hardened, rigid feeling five years post-op, it is possible that you have permanent mesh instead. If this is the case, the mesh can be removed surgically, but the key concern is understanding why it was placed in the first place. If the mesh was used to reconstruct your abdominal wall—perhaps for hernia repair or reinforcement—removing it could lead to further weakening of the abdominal muscles, increased laxity, and potentially worsening of your symptoms.

It also sounds like your belly button has been excessively tightened or retracted, possibly due to scarring or tension from the previous surgery. In revision procedures, the belly button can often be reshaped and made larger by releasing internal scar tissue and reconstructing the umbilical stalk. However, this would depend on how much viable tissue remains and whether there is enough laxity to reposition and reshape it.

Your symptoms of feeling off-balance, restricted in movement, and unable to stretch are concerning. Given the complexity of your case, I strongly recommend seeking a specialist in abdominal wall reconstruction, even if it requires an initial virtual consultation. This will help determine the best surgical approach and whether mesh removal, abdominal wall reinforcement, or a revision umbilicoplasty is necessary.

Best of luck, and I hope you find relief soon.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Many regrets for your difficulties related to healing from abdominoplasty.  Your situation is complex and more information necessary to formulate a successful treatment plan.  Most of the issues seem related to how your umbilicus and abdomen "feel" rather than the resulting aesthetic features.  If your mesh was absorbable, it should by now have absorbed.   Some type of surgical revision may be indicated but only after thorough analysis of what may be causing each and every one of your abnormal feelings and an understanding of how your abdominoplasty was performed.

Tyler Frew, MD · Answer

Hi there,
Sorry to hear you are having trouble. I would recommend that you seek out your original surgeon and get examined. If you no longer want to continue with your surgeon seek a second opinion as you would need to be examined in person to see what is actually going on
all the best

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You did not submit photos, so I cannot be specific. Please go back to your surgeon or to another to be examined and discuss your concerns and options. Usually, we do not remove absorbable mesh since it absorbs.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

To make a quality assessment regarding the outcome of any plastic surgery procedure we generally need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures.
If you don’t have before and after pictures, then ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took.
We can’t really begin to make an assessment without seeing pictures.
Tummy tuck surgery surgery is fairly permanent and more or less irreversible.
It may be possible to make improvements with revision surgery but you can’t replace tissue with that has been taken away.
There are a lot of variables that can contribute to low patient satisfaction after this procedure.
One of them is individuals who have excess visceral fat.
It’s important to understand your original candidacy for surgery because this often helps explain why the outcome looks the way it does.
Consider reposting it with proper before and after pictures.
Best,
Matt Hagstrom, MD

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