Inverted v incision for tummy tuck?

Question

I’ve been super impressed with seeing tummy tucks with the inverted V flap, instead of the typical belly button incision. Are there any downsides to this type of treatment? (I’ve only seen one doctor do this, but the outcomes are so lovely I’m wondering why it isn’t more common?)

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. A bad belly button scar can certainly make an abdominoplasty look "surgical". I prefer an inverted "V" to create a superior hooding and hide the scar inside the BB. In surgery, often things are done because "that's the way we always done it". Most surgeons do not innovate or step out of their comfort zone.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I can't think of any downside to using the inverted V technique. I typically use this technique to give a hooded appearance of the belly button. Make sure to speak with your surgeon about their specific technique and check out their photo gallery to make sure you like their results.

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

I have used this technique many times and it can really produce a natural belly button that has a natural hood in the upper part of the belly button and create an ‘inny’ look. But, in my experience the best technique to create a belly button is different for every patient so personally I use a different technique depending on the patient. What I think does not look very good is just a round belly button as it tends to look like a mushroom and doesn’t resemble any natural looking belly button. The other interesting factor is the amount of fat a patient has—the more fat the deeper the belly button can be and actually the better the belly button will look—in very skinny patients with no fat it is difficult to get an ‘inny’ as there is no place for the belly button to go in.Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, Florida Medical Association

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and if yours isn't very pretty or if you have a hernia, my recommendation is to release the stalk completely and float your belly button down as far as possible... and if it can be removed, great!  Later, when you are healing, a reconstruction is done that lacks the scar around tummy tuck belly button's, can be pierced as it has a mild overhang, and simply looks better.  It has an inverted chevron appearance.  If you don't have a lot of skin above the belly button, float your belly button down an inch and have no scar.

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hi. If you are talking about the navel only, the rounded belly button follows the natural shape of the navel, in opposition to the technique  you like, which I do not recommend.nternational Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
Member of the International Confederation of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS)

Inverted v incision for tummy tuck?

Answers (6)

Answer: Know your belly button options before having a tummy tuck

Answer: Know your belly button options before having a tummy tuck

Answer: Inverted v incision for tummy tuck?

Answer: Inverted v incision for tummy tuck?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Inverted v incision for tummy tuck?

Answers (6)

Answer: Know your belly button options before having a tummy tuck

Answer: Know your belly button options before having a tummy tuck

Answer: Inverted v incision for tummy tuck?

Answer: Inverted v incision for tummy tuck?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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