Umbilical float - can you remove skin BELOW the belly button and not have it affect the belly button position?

Question

I posted some questions about the umbilical float procedure and appreciate all the feedback. I have a follow up question for clarification— in an umbilical float, can you remove skin BELOW the belly button and not have it affect the belly button position? My understanding was that it’s the skin ABOVE the belly button that moves it lower. But if I only had skin removed BELOW the belly button, could I theoretically keep the belly button in the same position and have a full muscle repair?

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

The simple answer to your question is yes, the belly button can be re-attached in the same position after full muscle repair. Skin removal would be the same as for a regular mini tummy tuck.

Adam Tattelbaum, MD · Answer

Umbilical float lowers the position of your belly button, does some tightening of the skin above the belly button and removes some skin below the belly button.  It is used for patients with long torsoes or a high belly button who neeed limited tightening  in the upper abdomen. It can allow a full muscle tightening.

Mini Tummy tuck only removes skin below the belly button . It does not lower the belly button, allows muscle tightening only below the belly button and does not tighten skin above the belly button.

Hopr this helps. Follow the link for types of tummy tucks.

Gilbert Lee, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The short answer is no. There isnt a way to access the muscle above the belly button without the float. In addition, as you bring the muscles together to create the sculpted abdominal look, the tissues above the belly button will become redundant and need to be lowered and tightened to achieve an outstanding result. The position of the belly button during the float is is done to create a natural appearance. It is positioned in perspective of the patients anatomy including where your hips are and other structures that it will not look too low. I recommend you schedule a consultation with a board certified Plastic Surgeon. They will assess your anatomy in person and put together a plan that is best for you. In our office we offer 3D imaging to give our patients an accurate idea of what their final result will look like. Good luck!

Richard R. Orr, MD · Answer

Absolutely! In a traditional tummy tuck, the umbilicus is left in the same position, the skin is moved down over it, and the umbilicus is brought back up through the skin, in the same position. Muscle is easily repaired during this procedure.In an umbilical float, I use a lot, to help the little bit of loose skin that folds just above the umbilicus, and allows it to unfurl and flatten out.Hope this helps!

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

The simple answer is yes.

If a member of my family underwent this procedure, it  would be performed by an experienced plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. If you are serious about undergoing these procedures, you should have a thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon having those credentials, who will fully explain what is entailed in the procedures, including both the positives and potential problems.

Robert Singer, MD  FACS
La Jolla. California

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

In a floating belly button tummy tuck the belly button stays attached to the skin and its position is directly related to the amount of skin removed at the incision line.

The more skin that is removed the lower the belly button position will be. For that reason a floating belly button tell me a tech is not ideal for those patients with significant skin laxity.

If you have not had a tummy tuck yet and are considering the procedure then for most patients I would avoid a floating belly button because it will potentially have an unnatural belly button position or limit The ability to create tight skin.

I suggest having a few in person consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons to clarify the procedure options.

Posting on the real self is not going to get you an assessment or understanding of the procedure compared to having a proper consultation.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Jeffrey C. Hamm, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
In our practice, we utilize the floating umbilicus abdominoplasty in individuals who have a naturally high riding belly button. The tissue removed at the pubic level during abdominoplasty will allow for advancement of the remaining tissues downward. This will lower the level of the umbilicus. Otherwise there will be the possible requirement of a vertical midline incision below the belly button to achieve closure. If you wish to maintain the current position of a high riding belly button, a traditional abdominoplasty is necessary as the umbilicus will be separated from the surrounding skin and reattached to the skin at the same level after the excess skin and soft tissue is removed from below. Depending upon the current position of the umbilicus, a vertical closure may be required at anterior midline. 
In either case, a muscle repair can be performed.
Best wishes...

Umbilical float - can you remove skin BELOW the belly button and not have it affect the belly button position?

Answers (7)

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