Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

The belly button usually has a scar around it after a full tummy tuck. It does not actually move in most cases – the skin is pulled over it and a new hole is made for it to show, thus the scar.

This allows skin to be tightened above the belly button. This contrasts a mini tummy tuck, which does not leave a scar around the belly button.

A mini tummy tuck only tightens skin below the belly button. (Michael Vennemeyer, MD, Southlake Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tucks and belly buttons

The belly button is not always relocated but usually it is. It appears you had a quite conservative procedure.

You are still early and all improves with time. Discuss with your doctor. You may need a second procedure with relocation and additional liposuction. At this early point its hard to tell but some of your concern seems justified. (George Commons, MD, Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon)

In a classic full TT, the navel is not moved. Rather it is left in place, an incision is made around it, the procedure is done, the abdominal skin pulled down, and an opening made over the navel to which it is sutured.

In a mini-TT the navel is left in place, and only the excess skin below the navel is removed. It is possible to tighten the abdominal muscles all the way up to the chest.

In an “umbilical float” procedure, the navel is lifted off the abdomen with the rest of the abdominal skin and fat, and sutured down often at a slightly lower position.

As to what was done and why, you will need to speak with your surgeon. At the time you should express, in a non-confrontational way, any points of dissatisfaction. (Jourdan Gottlieb, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Belly Buttons Usually NOT removed during Tummy Tuck

The short answer is that Belly Buttons Usually NOT removed during Tummy Tuck procedures. Rather it remains in place with its blood supply intact. The skin and soft tissues are freed up around the belly button, brought down like a shade and the redundancy removed.

The muscles are usually tightened as needed if separated in the middle and a new opening is made for the original belly button to pop through. Making a smaller hole will result in a smaller belly button which pops out in the same position as it was more or less to begin with. (Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)

Belly Button Removed During Tummy Tuck

In general, most tummy tucks would relocate the belly button. Yours appears to have remained in the same position and a piece of tissue removed below that. Preoperative pictures would be helpful to give an idea of what was done. (Kenneth B. Hughes, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Are those three photos after pix? If so, I can’t figure out what happened, and suspect there are elements of your history, exam, and procedural details germane to any judgment about the result. Prior abdominal surgical scars, the type of tummy tuck performed, and other information would be helpful to know.

Present your concerns to your surgeon, as only he or she has enough knowledge about your situation to address them. (Steve Laverson, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)