I had a Tummy Tuck (5 weeks ago) performed by a plastic surgeon. At the same time, I had an umbilicus hernia repaired by a general surgeon, and pelvic adhesions removed by my OB/GYN.I am extremely unhappy with the way my belly button looks. It seems to me that my plastic surgeon cut too big of a hole for my "new" belly button. I have a sort of crest shaped cut out which is about 1 1/4 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches long with the belly button crease partly inside the crest and partly above the crest. I have scoured through tummy tuck pictures on the internet and have not seem anything like this.The plastic surgeon said this outcome is due to the other two doctors having to do work on me (which is hard to believe because they performed their part laparoscopically) and she tells me that my belly button is not going to look this way, but is going to look better down the line because it takes six months to heal. Can you tell me if this sounds normal to you?The doctor did say that if I am unhappy with the results six months later that she would fix my belly button in the office by cutting out some of the flesh within the crest like seam line and pull it all together. I used to sew and I can't picture how she will be able to do this without leaving pleats emanating from the belly button to the surrounding stomach skin.In addition, I have small pleats in my tummy tuck incision line and have "dog ears" at the ends. The doctor said she would fix the dog ears in 6 months, but are the small pleats normal? Also, I seem to have a bit of a tummy still. Is this swelling that will go away? I am so upset and would appreciate any advice you can give me regarding addressing my belly button concerns and possible repair with the doctor.
Answers (5)
From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Thank you for your question regarding boxing after a tummy tuck, especially since your training includes getting punched in the stomach. Since you had your abdominal muscles repaired (sown together) as part of the procedure, it’s crucial to allow your body enough time to heal before engaging i...
Thanks for the question. You should wait 1-2 months because your operation area trying to get healed. Then after yes you can do smoke and drink. I wish you all the best.
Hello, and thank you for your question about experiencing internal itching after your tummy tuck, especially around the belly button.
What you’re describing is actually very normal, even 10 months after surgery. After a tummy tuck, nerves in the skin and deeper tissues are cut, stretched, or d...
