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Is my Belly Button Too Small or Closing Up? Will It One Day Be an Innie Like my Dr Said It Would with the Indentation? (photo)

once the swelling goes down? I discussed my concern of a small belly button with my doctor and he laughed and said that was a weird compliant that most people want a small belly button. He did say that over time we could see what happens and if need be it could be corrected. I don't see my doctor for two months can i do something between now and then to correct this.

Doctor Answers 7

Belly Button Too Small

March 15th, 2013
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From your pictures it appears that your belly button did contract in after surgery.  A revision after 6-9 months (sometimes up to 1 yr) may be performed to help improve its appearance.  It sounds like this is your plastic surgeons plan. 

Web reference: http://www.orlando-plastic-surgery.com/

Brian Joseph, MD


Orlando Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 49 reviews

Umbilical stenosis

March 16th, 2013
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It does look like your umbilicus contracted down.  If this happens, it can often be corrected in 6 months or so.

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Is my Belly Button Too Small or Closing Up

March 15th, 2013
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Yes and yes.

It appears that the scar around your navel is contracting and causing the narrowing. Speak with your surgeon about options. Sometimes these can b managed without surgery (injections, stretching), other times a touch up procedure, usually an office type operation with local anesthetic will be needed some months down the line. 

All the best. 

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD

Umbilicus Too Small after Tummy Tuck?

March 14th, 2013
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Check with your plastic surgeon to see if he  would okay the use of a small marble placed in the umbilicus ( as a "dilator”).  If so, use the  marble covered by a piece of tape hopefully to gently  prevent continued scarring down.

 Best wishes.

Web reference: http://www.poustiplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/Procedure_tummyTuck.htm

Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS

Micro-umbilicus after tummy tuck

March 14th, 2013
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You do have a very tiny umbilicus as you are healing.  I personally would not tell you that it will someday be an "innie" and you might need some revision after 6-9 months of healing.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Shrinking Belly Button

March 22nd, 2013
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Thank you for the photos. You have a tightening of your belly button due scar (stenosis). Sometime these can be stented (forced gently open) with gauze. Typically, the belly button can be surgically enlarged with a Z-plasty. 

DrES

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, FACS

Narrowing Belly Button after Tummy Tuck

March 17th, 2013
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     A marble may be able to keep the area from contracting further.  Ask your plastic surgeon as each one will have different ideas.  The area can be revised in a few months if necessary.  Steroids may be able to soften the developing scar as well, but the injections carry risks as well.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Web reference: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/tummy-tuck-photo-galleries.php

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 443 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.