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

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.

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