Can I Stretch my Belly Button with Ear Gauge?

Question

I had a tummy tuck 2 years ago and was left with a tiny belly button. Its so small I could only use the stick of a Q-tip to clean it. I seen people stretch their little ear holes to these huge gaping holes and wondered if I could use the same technique to stretch my tiny belly button.

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Before I went the route of a do it yourself fix, I would call a plastic surgeon in your area as this might be improved with an umbilicoplasty. It might even be able to be improved under local anesthesia in the office.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

The answer is yes, you can stretch it with foam ear plugs and even smaller gauges.  However, if it is too tight you may need surgical revision and steroid injection.

Jaime Perez, MD · Answer

Hello. Stretching out a small belly button is possible. Massage the area and use a marble as a gauge. If after this your belly button still looks unacceptable a revision may be done under local.

	Jaime Perez, MD
	Tummy Tuck Specialist
	Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

Stenotic belly buttons are usually from scarring. Stretching rarely helps in this situation and scar revisions employing z-plasties are usually more successful. Talk to your surgeon about this to see what he/she can offer you.

Douglas Hargrave, MD · Answer

Tiki,

	There are many nonsurgical ways to stretch your bellybutton.  The first question to answer is if this happened because of scar thickening.  If so, the stretching techniques are less effective.  This is something that your surgeon can determine.  The best first step would be to proceed from there.

	Best wishes, Douglas Hargrave ,M. D.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

These have been successful in some patients. Be wary of inserting anything that you might not be able to retrieve. 

	Hopefully you have discussed options with your surgeon. Sometimes Kenalog injections and or scar remedies are effective. 

	All the best.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

You definitely can stretch your belly button with a variety of inserted devices. The question is how much relapse will happen when you eventually remove the expanding device...most likely near 100%. But there is no harm in trying if you are prepared to do it for months. The use of an ear gauge may work better to stabilize a surgically enlarged bellybutton as it would be more effective to prevent scar contracture rather than achieve actual scar expansion.

Lisa M. DiFrancesco, MD · Answer

Yes, you can stretch a small belly button with an ear gauge or a marble. It is important to understand why the belly button is so small. If there is excessive scar tissue massage or stretching may not be enough. Ultimately you may require surgerical correction. This can be done under local anesthetic in the office.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,

	Thank you for the question.  Marbles, beads, and other items such as ear gauges can help stretch out the belly button.  Your plastic surgeon may be able to help as well with an injection of steroid if the scar is thick or stiff.  If this method does not help you may choose to have your belly button revised.  A small belly button can be made bigger fairly easily under local anesthesia.

	All the best,

	Dr. Remus Repta

Can I Stretch my Belly Button with Ear Gauge?

Answers (9)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (9)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Large Mons Pubis After Tummy Tuck?

Is It Harmful to Wear a Compression Garment for an Extended Period of Time After a Tummy Tuck?

Can I Reasonably Take a 2 Hour Flight 4 Days After a Tummy Tuck with a Quilted Closure?

Is Their Anyway That You Can Get Rid of Fibrous Tissue/scar Tissue After Tummy Tuck? (photo)

I Have No Kids, Do I Need Muscle Repair? (photo)

Would a tummy tuck get rid of a belly fat apron?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS