Few people think about their belly button’s appearance unless, perhaps, you’re one of the 10% or so of people with an “outie.” Most women and men, however, don’t spend much time contemplating their navels. But when I perform a tummy tuck, I take special care of the belly button because its appearance is an integral part of a successful procedure.
A belly button shouldn’t be noticed after a tummy tuck, because that means it probably looks unnatural or odd. In this blog post, I’ll describe why a belly button is involved in abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery and explain the techniques used by plastic surgeons to reposition and reshape the navel.
What Happens to the Belly Button During Tummy Tuck Surgery?
During a full tummy tuck, the surgeon makes a horizontal incision just above the pubic area that stretches from hip to hip. Additionally, an incision is made around the belly button. Once the abdominal skin is pulled down to the incision line and excess skin is removed, the surgeon creates a notch for the belly button in the newly taut abdominal skin. This allows the navel to appear where it remains proportional to the rest of the body.
How Is the Belly Button Shaped?
Shaping the belly button during abdominoplasty requires both surgical and aesthetic skill to achieve a natural, attractive look. If a navel looks too round or is nothing more than a narrow slit, it appears unnatural and an otherwise-happy patient will be disappointed. I shape the new belly button opening to ensure it has an attractive vertical oval shape. And, for patients who want to change their outies to innies, we can often accomplish that during a tummy tuck, too.
The Belly Button After Tummy Tuck Surgery: Pictures of Real Results
You can judge for yourself how the belly buttons of some of my actual tummy tuck patients look by viewing the before and after photos below. Each patient is shown from the front and oblique view, so you can see how the belly button is shaped and positioned.
Do All Tummy Tucks Involve the Belly Button?
Most do, but not all. Some patients are appropriate candidates for a mini tummy tuck, a procedure limited to the area below the belly button. In a mini tummy tuck, the surgeon makes a shorter incision along the abdomen but does not create an incision around the belly button. This alternative is something that should be discussed with your surgeon to ensure it achieves the desired results.
After a Tummy Tuck, Does the Belly Button Have a Scar?
Incisions leave scars, and the new opening for your belly button is no exception. Over time, however, the scar will fade, soften, and thin out, making it unnoticeable to others.
Women and men considering tummy tuck surgery in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and throughout New York travel to my Staten Island practice for their procedures. You can contact us using the online form to request a consultation or give our office a call at (718) 720-9400 to schedule an appointment.
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