I recently had a full abdominoplasty with Muscle Repair. I'm 5'2 and 115 lbs. My plastic surgeon is board certified and is highly regarded, and his photos looked good. He told me on my first post-op visit that my belly button did not turn out well. It is a completely flat scar, with no depth or hooding. He is willing to do a revision but said he's not sure what he can do, since he says I have little subcutaneous fat. I'm reluctant to do a revision if he can't fix it, and am wondering if another doctor could fix it. Any advice?
January 31, 2010
Answer: How to make a nice umbilicoplasty on a slim patient Your surgeon is right that making a nice belly button on a slim patient is very difficult, because there is no way to create the natural depth. The best thing in my experience is to try to create more of a hood across the top, which can be done under local anesthesia. it's worth giving it a shot because a nice umbiilicoplasty is one of the hallmarks of a good abdominoplasty and I am sure your plastic surgeon want to make it better.
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January 31, 2010
Answer: How to make a nice umbilicoplasty on a slim patient Your surgeon is right that making a nice belly button on a slim patient is very difficult, because there is no way to create the natural depth. The best thing in my experience is to try to create more of a hood across the top, which can be done under local anesthesia. it's worth giving it a shot because a nice umbiilicoplasty is one of the hallmarks of a good abdominoplasty and I am sure your plastic surgeon want to make it better.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
January 31, 2010
Answer: Umbilicus revision after abdominoplasty - What makes a natural belly button The umbilical appearance is somewhat crucial after abdominoplasty as it is harder to hide than the lower transverse scar with usual summer clothing/bathing suits. The hardest thing to fix afterwards would be an umbilicus that is not on the midline. In fact that may not be completely fixable. What makes the belly button look natural after surgery is as you stated depth and upper hooding when standing upright but also a more or less vertical ellipse outline with a scar that lies in the depths of the belly button (over the rim). You cannot get that if the surgeon brings the belly button out through a round incision with a scar that runs from the 11 to 1 o'clock positions along the rim. Also if the opening is made to large it can stretch out and flatten the belly button. If you had posted a picture this reply could have been more detailed/specific.
Helpful
January 31, 2010
Answer: Umbilicus revision after abdominoplasty - What makes a natural belly button The umbilical appearance is somewhat crucial after abdominoplasty as it is harder to hide than the lower transverse scar with usual summer clothing/bathing suits. The hardest thing to fix afterwards would be an umbilicus that is not on the midline. In fact that may not be completely fixable. What makes the belly button look natural after surgery is as you stated depth and upper hooding when standing upright but also a more or less vertical ellipse outline with a scar that lies in the depths of the belly button (over the rim). You cannot get that if the surgeon brings the belly button out through a round incision with a scar that runs from the 11 to 1 o'clock positions along the rim. Also if the opening is made to large it can stretch out and flatten the belly button. If you had posted a picture this reply could have been more detailed/specific.
Helpful