Umbilicoplasty or Tummy Tuck for Frowning Belly Button?

Question

I am 47 years old, 5'6' 120 lbs. I weight train since 1986. Around 1980, I gained quite a bit of weight in short time (was around 155 lbs) and still paying for the repercussions! In 1989, I had breast augmentation with a benelli breast lift.  That same laxity plagues me on my stomach! Most women would love to look like me, but I hate my frowning belly button and puckery skin. The issue seems more in the area above the belly button. Is there a benelli-type procedure for me; an umbilicoplasty maybe? Would rather have belly button scar and covered with tattoo than tummy tuck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

What you are referring to is similar to what was performed for your breasts.  It involves removing skin and then suturing the resulting skin to the umbilicus.  Not an ideal procedure and will not resolve the problem
You need to see a board certified plastic surgeon to see if you are a candidate for a tummy tuck as it appears that the majority of the loose skin you have is around and above the umbilicus.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question and sharing your photo.  I would recommend that you consider a tummy tuck as it will help reduce the excess skin that is above the belly button and help you tailor the shape the abdomen.  If you are strictly looking for a less aggressive approach, you will only be able to address a mild/moderate amount of skin laxity around the belly button.

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

Belly Button surgery (umbilicoplasty) by itself only takes care of stretch marks and loose skin in the immediate area (few inches) of the belly button. In your case it is probably a good option but an exam would be required first to confirm this. Choose your plastic surgeon wisely for this procedure - see below link.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Umbilicoplasty is a procedure to make the belly button look better.  Usually it involves a hernia repair of the belly button and a reanchoring to recreate a more normal appearing belly button.
It is especially useful if a post-surgical belly button has a flap expressionless appearance, or if an "outie" is present and needs to be converted.
The umbilicoplasty does not work the same way as a Benelli mastopexy.  If too much gathering is performed around the belly button, it looks gathered and bad.
To fix the belly button in your case, some version of the full tummy tuck will be necessary.

Sam Jejurikar, MD · Answer

Very few patients actually want a tummy tuck - if alternatives existed which yielded similar results, you can be certain that plastic surgeons would recommend them.
That being said, your redundant skin and muscle laxity (looseness) will be optimally corrected with a formal tummy tuck.  The incision can be hidden quite low, yielding excellent cosmetic results.
Hope this helps - best of luck.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-
It would be great if we could make a small scar in your belly button and tighten the abdominal wall skin.... But it's simply not possible, and would look crazy.
I'm not sure the technique is really that great for the breasts either, and your photo is a good example of why- it tends to flatten the central breast area, with exaggeration of the lower pole (especially when an implant is in place).
A modified tummy tuck may be appropriate for you.
I would find a surgeon you like and can trust and review options with them.
Here's some advice on how best to do that:

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Although it sounds logical to do a Benelli style umbilicoplasty, I have never seen a technique which can produce a consistently significant improvement. Unfortunately, there is too much skin to crowd into a small incision.

Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Based on your photo, I do not believe any isolated procedure around your belly button would work for you.  You can get a nice contours and a change of your belly button with an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and I would believe that is your best surgical option.For more information, please go to my website at:WirthPlasticSurgery.com

Shahin Javaheri, MD · Answer

Your "unhappy belly button" appears to be due to some extra abdominal tissue.  I think that an abdominoplasty will get rid of the extra tissue.  You will have a scar around  your current belly button.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

What you wish cannot happen. I would politely refuse to attempt any correction upon your umbilicus or tummy areas. You will not be happy. Best of Luck.

Umbilicoplasty or Tummy Tuck for Frowning Belly Button?

Answers (18)

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