Can I tighten my belly button skin naturally or will I need surgery? (photo)

Question

I am 5'0 and 103 pounds. I had a baby two years ago and was left with a few stretch marks where my belly button piercing use to be. I work out and nothing seems to tighten that skin. Would I require a surgery? If so what would you recommend? Thanks in advance!

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

Thanks for your photo but there are no good options here.  You can consider Thermage to help tighten the skin but personally, I wouldn't drop a dollar for that unless the provider had a guarantee or policy in place in case you get no result.  Surgery is a horrible option as the scarring will be worse then what you have.  And for by the way, as another poster said, I think your tummy looks great and I would not suggest any procedure at this time.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Most likely the risks or anything that damages the umbilical skin is NOT worth it.. Plus there are no guarantees in surgery for minor irregularities, except a scar..

Thangavel Ayyappan, MBBS, MS, MCh, DNB · Answer

the non surgical option is co2 fractional laser 2-3 sittings at 1 month intervals,the surgical option is scar revision.

Mary Lee Peters, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo.  Stretch marks are the result of broken elastic fibers in your skin.  No skin tightening methods will restore the elasticity.  Surgery is likely to leave a scar that is more noticable than the stretch marks. Your photo  shows a great looking abdomen for someone who has had a baby.

Can I tighten my belly button skin naturally or will I need surgery? (photo)

Answers (4)