Why is my belly button flat after my tummy tuck? How can it be corrected? (photos)

Thank you, kayb11ugg, for your question regarding why your belly button is flat after a tummy tuck and how it can be corrected.

Thank you for sharing your history and pictures. The flattening and slight protrusion of your belly button after a tummy tuck could be due to the technique used during your surgery. Often, the incision made around the belly button can be too wide, leading to a flat or slightly protruding appearance, commonly referred to as an "outtie."

To correct this, you would need an umbilicoplasty, which is a surgical procedure on the belly button. This procedure typically involves using a "purse-string" suture to tighten the perimeter of the belly button, restoring its original shape. If the protrusion is due to excess fat behind the belly button, removing this fat can also help. However, if the outtie is caused by an umbilical hernia, the repair would require a different approach, usually involving the repair of the hernia.

To determine if a hernia is the cause, an umbilical ultrasound would be necessary. The good news is that an umbilicoplasty can usually be performed in the office under local anesthesia.

Good luck with your decision, and I hope this information helps to clarify the next steps for correcting your belly button after a tummy tuck.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Your belly button can be reshaped with revision surgery. Please wait for at least 6 months before proceeding.

Hello from Istanbul, thanks for this question. Your belly button actually is a little larger and flatter than one might expect, this may in part be due to swelling. You may benefit from a revision procedure. It's best to assess the situation after the site has completely healed. Best of luck to you!