What Surgery Can Be Done to Fix my Belly Button? (photo)

Question

I have two kids. After my first, my body went right back to normal. After my second, I got a lot of strentch marks below my belly. This doesnt bother me as much as the actual shape of my belly button has changed. I always had a wider opening for my belly button, but after this birth, for some reason I was left with a big indent above my belly button, and the bottom of the hole opens/spread out in a weird way. Would plastic surgery fix this shape?

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	You may or may not have a hernia of your belly button area (umbilical hernia), but whether you do or not, a well-done tummy tuck would correct this as well as the shape of your belly and your belly button.

	Visit a talented and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for an examination and opinion.

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

Depending on your desires, you would benefit from an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or an umbilicoplasty, which would just focus on the belly button, but may not be able to correct all of your issues. See a board-certified plastic surgeon for a consultation.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

The umbilicus in the picture bespeaks stretched and possibly even torn skin and deeper connective tissue. A tummy tuck (abdominplasty) will fix the abdominal problem, eliminate excess skin and fat, and reconstruct a new navel.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,

	Thank you for the photo.  Yes, plastic surgery can improve the shape and appearance of your belly button.  This can be accomplished in a number of different ways and each has its own advantage and disadvantage.  You will first have to decide how much correction you will want as this will determine which of the procedures you will have to pursue and the procedure in turn will determine cost, incision length and location, and downtime.

	All the best,

	Dr Remus Repta

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

As mentioned, you do need to be evaluated by a doctor to determine the integrity of your abdominal wall and if there is any hernia present. Depending on your goals and desires, you could consider a tummy tuck with or without umbilical reconstruction, depending on how happy you are with your native belly button. An umbilical float allows your belly button to be anchored back to the fascia creating an 'inny' but if it is excessively wide, you may want to consider removing your belly button, leaving a vertical scar above your mons and then reconstructing the belly button at a level you will be happy with. Circumferential tightening where purse-string sutures are used are unpredictable and I do not recommend them. Discuss this with your doctor and allow them to help you through the decision process.

What Surgery Can Be Done to Fix my Belly Button? (photo)

Answers (9)