Why didn't I get a belly button? (photo)

Question

I have looked at all these photos of people's panniculectomies and they all seem to have gotten a new belly button made if they needed one. Why didn't I when I got a panniculectomy done? Seems odd doesn't it or am I missing something? My doctor said we could do one at a later date. Is that what happens? I have watched panniculectomy, abdominoplasty and tummy tuck videos and they always seem to do the belly button reconstruction right then and there. I'm confused. Is it because Medicare paid for it?

Scott Thellman, MD · Answer

You're correct in saying the umbilicus (belly button) is usually preserved with an abdominoplasty or panniculectomy. However, there are some circumstances where this might not be possible due to poor blood supply.  This may be due to previous scars around the belly button or cases where a very large pannus is removed.  Discuss this with your surgeon, as the intention might have been to give you a belly button but findings during the case might have made it risky or impossible.

William J. Welsh, MD (retired) · Answer

There is no reason for you to not have a belly button after your surgery unless there was a problem during the procedure.Ask your doctor what the problem was. He/she should be able to give you an explanation (i.e. A problem with the blood supply to the stalk of you umbilicus or an inadvertent amputation of the stalk.If you do have reconstruction of your umbilicus later, lose as much internal (visceral fat) as you can first to help achieve a better result

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Why didn't I get a belly button? (photo)

Answers (2)

PANNICULECTOMY PROVIDERS NEAR YOU