Can Anyone Show Me What an Umbilical Stenosis Looks Like?

An umbilical stalk that does not permit direct cleansing would be considered stenotic. I regret that I do not have a picture of one but it should be a rare occurrence after in abdominoplasty. Should it occur it can be corrected with a relatively small procedure.

     Stenosis just refers to narrowing.  This would be more likely after a tummy tuck in which the belly button is translocated.   In this case, the circumferential scar can stenose.  In the float, umbilical distortion can result, but stenosis is unlikely.  These are just terms.  If you are displeased with your belly button, the umbilicus can be improved with any number of techniques.  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of tummy tucks and umbilicoplasties each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.

Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Umbilical stenosis is when the belly button becomes too small in diameter and too short in depth. It is relatively uncommon after a tummy tuck and there are numerous intraoperative techniques to prevent it and postoperative strategies to treat it.

When an incision is made completely around the umbilicus you can develop a ciatrical scar which essentially constricts down like a purse string.  It is not totally preventable but with massage the incidence can be lowered. 

Difficult to give you specific advice without viewing pictures, but given your concerns about the appearance of your abdomen, I would suggest in person consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons. Ask to see lots of examples of their experience helping patients in your situation. Ask also, to see examples of the appearance of the umbilicus after their tummy tuck operations. You are correct in that this appearance is very important, given that it is the only scar that will be visible in a two-piece swimming suit etc.

 Careful selection of your plastic surgeon to perform the revisionary tummy tuck operation will be one of the keys to success. Also, careful communication of your goals will be very important as well.

 I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Dear bbredo,

Thank you for your question. It is easier for you to post a photo of your belly button and we can give you recommendations.  In general, if the belly button is so small in diameter that you cant even stick your index finger in it, then it is stenosed.

Best wishes,

Pablo Prichard, MD

Hi.

1)  If the question comes up, you probably have it, and it can be corrected, often with Z-plasty.  Also sounds like you have other issues.

2)  Could not access latest video, but this one has some information.

I think the umbilical float technique is a most undesirable technique designed to put speed and getting it over with far beyond a beautiful precision surgery.  So now you need to start back at square one and have it done correctly, hopefully by an ABPS surgeon that does many many tummy tucks with precision technique.  Stenosis means the opening of the umbilicus contracts down to the point where even a q-tip cannot be inserted.  This will not happen in the hands of a capable surgeon.  Get the right ABPS surgeon and have them do an A+ job and you will be fine.   A+ surgery is not a speedy rush deal and it is not cheap discount surgery.   Cost need not be excessive but beware when the speed and price are too good to believe.  If its too good to be true, then it is not true.   My Best,  Dr C