Belly button revision after tummy tuck, is there room for improvement? (Photo)

You are not very far out of your surgery, and there probably is some ongoing swelling. As this improves, I would not expect significant improvement of the umbilical shape. Talked to her plastic surgeon about this and they may consider a number of different options to shape that bellybutton better to your expectations.

Yes, a revision can help tighten and make your belly button less protuberant. It is not uncommon that excess umbilical stalk can result in this occurrence. This can be done with local with good success. I would not hesitate to offer . . . thank you.

Hello Lexuscaroline33,

Thank you for your question regarding your belly button revision after a tummy tuck.

Thank you for your history and your pictures. Yes, your belly button can be revised. Belly button revisions are quite common and are often performed under local anesthesia in the office. In your case, I would recommend removing more skin and fat from the belly button. This can be done by making an incision circumferentially around your belly button. A donut-shaped area of skin and fat is then resected from the inner belly button, which will shorten it and result in a smaller, flatter, and less protruding belly button.

If the appearance of your belly button is bothering you, I would suggest going ahead with the revision. This procedure will help improve its look and address the bulging you are experiencing.

I hope I have answered your question regarding belly button revision after a tummy tuck. Good luck.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

The short answer is yes, this can be improved. This result is due to lack of shortening of the umbilical stalk at the time of surgery. Your native umbilical stalk was long due to excess skin and when the new thinner skin was pulled down and a new hole for the umbilicus was created, the umbilical stalk was not shortened to match the new skin flap. A revision would likely require cutting out the umbilicus, resecting some of it, and then re-suturing it into position. May not be perfect, but certainly better. Hope this helps.
Dallas Buchanan, MD
VIVIFY plastic surgery
Tampa, FL

There is the way to improve your BB appearance but it should not be done sooner than 6 plus months after surgery. Once the scar and surrounding area is matured it would be possible to evaluate a true deformity and correct it. Good luck.

You are too early to be considering a revision at this time. there is still swelling and your belly button my yet settle down. After about 6-12 months, then discuss with your surgeon, if needed, what can be done.

Yes a revision to the belly button would bring you improvement. It's too early yet to consider this option but it is something that may be needed in the future and can be considered after several more months. I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

So sorry you're dealing with this. Yes! I would absolutely recommend getting it revised. It is a very quick, easy surgery. It can be done with injection of numbing medicine in the office. Otherwise, from what your picture shows, you look really good. Definitely get it fixed.

Getting consistent, natural looking bellybuttons is in many ways the hallmark of quality tummy tuck surgery.
When I help patients select surgeons, I told them to look specifically for surgeons who consistently get the most natural looking bellybuttons with a very low set scar that follows anatomic contours naturally.
Getting consistent good looking bellybuttons requires detail, oriented, work and surgeons who are committed to mastering the procedure.
Many times when the bellybutton doesn’t come out looking very good. It is often very difficult to make it better.
In your case reducing some of the skin should prevent it from projecting.
Ideally, the bellybutton should have been anchored down to the muscle fascia during the procedure.
If the bellybutton was not sutured down to the muscle fascia to create tension on the umbilical stalk then the quality of the total outcome is going to be limited.
Individuals who have shallow bellybuttons are more difficult to work with, and those who have very deep bellybuttons tend to be candidates for better looking bellybutton results.
In your case, some improvement is definitely possible but the time to really master the outcome of the procedure is always always during the primary operation.Your provider may or may not be the correct person to do your revision.
The fact that your bellybutton looks the way it does makes me wonder if he or she has the skill necessary to do quality tummy tuck surgery.A little more attention to detail during the operation would’ve prevented the need for revision.
Perhaps your surgeon has the skill to fix it and give you a good outcome and perhaps you may want to consider having a few second opinion in person consultations as well.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD