Is this normal navel ? (photos)

Question

Not happy with my umbilical incision had extended abdominoplasty 7 weeks ago looks like a slit and has very visible scar opinions welcome and have since developed red marks across abdomen were not present pre surgery ? Shrink marks surgeon said not stretch marks as not enough tension applied

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

Pre-operative photos would be helpful in evaluating this condition. Also, past medical history and medications if any- would be helpful. Redness can be a sign of both healing and early infection. The incision around the umbilicus is somewhat troubling. I would seriously consider a second opinion by a Board Certified PS in your area.

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

It is hard to comment on the other parts of your post, such as the red marks on the abdomen, because they don't appear in the image, and it is hard to fully assess things like that without a personal exam.  Most of the time those kinds of things are self-limited as well, and they won't always remain so red and prominent.  With regard to the umbilicus, or navel, however, I see the things that you don't like.  It appears as though the wounds are healed and scars are stable, albeit red, but this is an early healing phenomenon, and I expect that as things progress that part at least will resolve.  That still leaves us with what I agree is a more or less aesthetically unsatisfactory umbilicus.  It will change some over time, as 7 weeks is early, but how much is hard to say right now, and just looking at the design of the umbilicus, I expect that the things you don't like will still be present.  One of the things I see, which I think is something you don't like as well, is the disparity between the central, "slit-shaped" opening and the outer circumferential scar, leaving a large patch of bare skin in between them.  In addition, this is accentuated by fullness or bulging beneath that intervening skin, instead of the depression, or umbilication, that gives the umbilicus its name.  Lastly, while it appears as though an attempt was made to create a superior "hood," or fold of skin above the opening of the umbilicus, this was not successful, so you sort of have a "shield shaped" navel right now.  So, to summarize, while there are a number of fine details about this navel that we can scrutinize right now, some of which we might even consider revising in the future and which can possibly be revised to appear better, right now things are still too fresh and early to fully assess and plan to revise.  I suggest that you remain in close contact with your surgeon on this one and openly discuss your concerns with him or her as you go along.  Then, once things stabilize with your healing, probably at 6 months or longer, if there are still things you wish to change, you both can more intelligently address the final result and make an appropriate plan to revise if indicated.  Best of luck.

Is this normal navel ? (photos)

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Is this normal navel ? (photos)

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