Fixing Belly Button After Tummy Tuck

Question

I had a tummy tuck 1 year ago and am not pleased with my belly button. It has a raised scar all the way around it.  Is it possible to fix that?  If so, what are the chances that it will scar that way again?

Ankit Desai, MD · Answer

There are several reasons why patients do not like their belly buttons after tummy tucks. Here are several examples of why. Some feel that their:

	1.  Belly button look like a slit

	2.  Belly button is too large

	3.  Belly button position is too high or too low

	4.  Raised or excessive scarring of their belly button

	First and foremost, all of the concerns above can be addressed in a revision procedure. Their are different techniques for each type of concern when revising a belly button.  From the sounds of it, your concern is the scar around the belly button. Your scar is slightly raised and their are some marks / scars from the use of external sutures. You should consider a revision of the scar using internal or buried sutures to avoid some of the suture tracks.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello CalGal,

Thank you for reaching out with your question.

It's not uncommon for patients to have concerns about the appearance of their belly button following a tummy tuck procedure. The good news is that a raised scar around the belly button can often be revised with relatively straightforward procedures.

Typically, belly button revisions can be performed as an in-office procedure under local anesthesia. Your plastic surgeon will carefully remove the raised scar tissue and reshape the belly button to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing result.

Regarding the chances of the scar recurring, it's essential to follow your surgeon's post-operative care instructions diligently to minimize the risk of complications. While there's always a possibility of scarring, proper wound care and scar management techniques can help promote optimal healing.

I recommend scheduling a consultation with your plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns and explore the best options for addressing them. Your surgeon can assess your specific situation and tailor a treatment plan to achieve the results you desire.

Best wishes for a successful revision procedure and a satisfying outcome.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Unfortunately,
patients ocassionally develop adverse scarring following abdominoplasty
surgery.When this scarring involves the
area around the umbilicus it can be extremely unsightly.For this reason, it’s not unusual for
patients to request scar revision when this situation arises.Under
these circumstances, scar revision can be undertaken by simple re-excision and
primary closure.This can be performed
under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.It’s important to use buried absorbable sutures to avoid cross
hatching.Rarely the use of steroid
injections or laser treatments can be utilized to facilitate care.When these
steps are taken, success rates are excellent and levels of patient satisfaction
are high.If you’re concerned about umbilical
scarring it’s important to consult your plastic surgeon so the problem can be
addressed.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Yes, it is possible to revise scars around your belly button, umbilicus following a tummy tuck. The procedure can usually be performed as an office procedure using local anesthesia. There are many techniques to minimize scarring afterwards. See the below link for more information

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

After one year if the scar is raised or hypertrophic a scar revision is appropriate to perform. This can be done under local anesthesia in the office with minimal time required.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

If you are distraught with the appearance, I would certainly advise you to try a scar revision. There are no guarantees that you will get a better scar but you are operating under completely different circumstances.

Derby Sang Caputo, MD · Answer

Hello. Your healing process has not been the best . BB scars tend to make a contraction and so the BB may be smaller in a few months. You should talk to your surgeon for a revision under local anesthesia in the office.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is certaily possible to revise a belly button scar at one year after surgery, but it may be no better than it was.

Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS · Answer

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Aesthetically, one of the most important components of a tummy tuck is the appearance of the bellybutton. In our practice, we typically create a vertical bellybutton and avoid placing a scar around the bellybutton by placing it at the bottom of this structure.

	However, we commonly have patients come to practice after having received a tummy tuck elsewhere for a revision of the bellybutton. If the patient has enough skin laxity is possible to correct the bellybutton into a more attractive structure with a less noticeable scar.
	Your best bet is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience with abdominoplasty and umbilicoplasty. They will be able to assess the quality of your tissue and determine which techniques can help you achieve your goals.

	To learn more about tummy tucks, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you, please visit us at the link below:

Christopher L. Hess, MD · Answer

It really irritates me that the focal point of the abdomen, the belly button, is given the least amount of thought and surgical time. Most surgeons make a round hole and stick the belly button into it. Okay I digress, see my blog for more. For your problem I would re excise the scar, use different suture to close it then watch closely to see if the hypertrophy you got the first time occurs again. If it does steroids can help.

Fixing Belly Button After Tummy Tuck

Answers (11)

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