Muscle Repair Through Belly Button?

Question

When I stand, my tummy looks flat. My lower abdomen is kinda puffy. When I bend over, my tummy sags. I am wondering, can the muscle repair be done through my belly button? My plastic surgeon already said he could fix my belly button (with stiches to make a circle on belly button). I read something about defatting the fascia and/or a high lateral tension abdominoplasty.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

With abdominal reparative surgery, you can analyze the three key components:  skin, muscle and fascia.
Muscle can indeed be tightened through the belly button with the endoscopic technique, the entire length of the abdomen.  However this technique will not remove any loose skin. 
For women who have a minimal looseness to the skin, a small C-section type incision can be made on the lower abdomen and the entire fascia can be tightened while a small to moderate amount of skin is removed.  This is called the hybrid abdominoplasty (TM).  It requires bariatric and endoscopic equipment and expertise.  However for very tit moms whose primary problem is one of fascia looseness, it is a nice solution.
For women with a great deal of extra skin and fat, some form of the full tummy tuck will be necessary to achieve the best results, and there are many different versions of the full tummy tuck that can be customized to the patient's problems, skin looseness, existing scars, need for low incisions, etc.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding the possibility of performing muscle repair through your belly button. It's great that you are exploring different surgical options to address your concerns about your abdominal appearance.

While muscle repair can indeed be done endoscopically through the belly button, it's important to understand the limitations of this approach. This technique primarily focuses on tightening the muscles beneath the skin but does not involve the removal of any loose skin on your abdomen. Therefore, if you have noticeable skin laxity, particularly when you bend over, this method might not fully address your concerns.

Your mention of a high lateral tension abdominoplasty suggests an interest in more comprehensive contouring options. This procedure not only tightens the abdominal muscles but also removes excess skin and fat, leading to a more toned and defined abdominal profile.

Discussing all available options with your plastic surgeon, who can provide a detailed explanation of what each procedure entails and how it aligns with your aesthetic goals, is essential. This will help you make an informed decision that best meets your expectations.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Ricardo L. Rodriguez, MD · Answer

I do a full muscle repair thru belly button, and I do get a tight closure with it. I sometimes combine it with liposuction. This procedure works for people who have a muscle separation, good skin tone, and some fat. These indications fit only a small percentage of my patients.
A "High lateral Tension abdominoplasty" is the polar opposite of a muscle repair thru the belly button. It takes out a lot of skin and you get a full Tummy Tuck scar. I do a lot more of those than Repair of muscle thru the belly button.
As many have pointed out already, from what you describe, it sounds like you are a better candidate for a mini tummy tuck.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Yes muscle repair can be performed through the belly button but if your belly skin sags when you bend over, you would likely see a better result with a full tummy tuck or a marriage/hybrid abdominoplasty.

Michael Baroody, MD · Answer

If your concern is strictly isolated to the area below your belly button, then you may be a candidate for a mini-abdominoplasty.  This procedure includes an incision along the pubic area then tightening the muscles below the belly button only.  If you do not have extra skin but rather just extra fat and weak muscles then liposuction and muscle repair through a small belly button incision is possible.  There are very few people who would have a great result from this technique, however.
Dr. Baroody

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Muscle Repair Through Belly Button?

Answers (8)

Answer: Muscle repair through the belly button

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