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.

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.

     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