Belly button still looks swollen after 10 months post-op, please help! Do I need a revision? (Photo)

Question

Hello, all! I received a tummy tuck in Washington state after losing a good amount of weight. My PS said he was going to use my belly button, and the plan was to just shorten the belly button stalk. I had no issue with this, as I had seen many belly buttons he had perfected before, and they ALL look great! Mine was extremely swollen at first, and he told me to put a marble in it to push the fluid out. He refuses to accept that mine isn't right. Do I need a revision? Please, please help me.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Abdominoplasty scars can be quite complex, ranging from the simple hypertrophic scar to a multiplane inflamed keloid. Pigmentation, discoloration, chronic inflammation, scar visibility can all occur in the short term. We begin each treatment with combination therapy using Yellow broadband BBL, Vbeam, fractional erbium, intralesional IIT, and scar modulation. Start with a combination of Plato's Scar Serum massaged twice daily after one week of epithelialization followed by Luminase/Exfolase. Scar consultation and revision may be recommended.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

If you change the belly button the scar around it may not heal as nicely as it did. Would you trade the outie for an innie if the scar might be worse? I would leave it alone

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jbabay12,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

I feel that your belly button looks very good now post abdominoplasty.  I see where the skin is full (not swelling) .  A revision under local will make it a bit better, but once again, it looks good now

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

You are correct in that plastic surgeons should be judged for tummy tucks based on how their belly buttons turn out. It is the more difficult part of the procedure and those who are detail oriented get the better looking belly buttons.

Your belly button does not look swollen and at this point trying to improve it is going to be challenging.

Belly buttons that don’t go deep are more difficult to shorten than those that are deep.

Sometimes the stock of the bellybutton can be sutured to the muscle fascia to bring it down but even with that technique getting it to pull in can be challenging.

Overall I would say yours is above average.

It’s easy to play Monday morning quarterback and second-guess other surgeons work. Overall I think most plastic surgeons would say your belly button is fine.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Belly button still looks swollen after 10 months post-op, please help! Do I need a revision? (Photo)

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