Belly Button After Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, clinically termed abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure in which excess skin, and fat are removed from the abdomen and the surrounding abdominal muscles tightened to create a flatter stomach. In this article, we will tell you about the different types of tummy tuck procedures, as well as what happens to the naval (aka the belly button) during this plastic surgery.

Is the Belly Button Removed During a Tummy Tuck?

During a standard abdominoplasty procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen across the bikini line through which excess skin and fat are removed. Any loose muscle tissue is also sewn together. Another incision is then made around the belly button to release it from the surrounding skin, but it usually remains attached to its “stalk”, the corresponding muscle tissue. 

However, there may be some instances where the belly button will need to be removed and repositioned. For example, if a lot of excess skin and fat is removed, the surgeon may need to alter where the belly button is placed to ensure that the profile remains natural-looking. In such instances, the surgeon will “redrape” the skin around and over the naval. After this, a small incision will be made to form the new opening where the belly button is reattached.

Full Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

There are several variations of the tummy tuck, the most popular of which are the full and mini tummy tuck. 

During a full tummy tuck, the surgeon makes two incisions (across the bikini line and around the naval), separating the skin from the abdominal wall. After excess skin and fat tissue is removed, the abdominal skin is pulled down, covering the naval. The surgeon then makes an opening for the new positioning of the naval, which forms the belly button. This plastic surgery is a more invasive variation than the mini alternative, suitable for tummy tuck patients with moderate or severe skin laxity. 

A mini tummy tuck is a less invasive procedure requiring one small incision (4-8 inches) in the lower abdomen through which excess skin is removed. As a result, the belly button is not removed or repositioned in tummy tuck surgery. This variation is ideal for tummy tuck patients with mild to moderate skin laxity.

What Will the Belly Button Look Like After a Tummy Tuck?

Your surgeon will be striving to achieve the most natural-looking results as possible for your tummy tuck, including with regard to your belly button’s position and appearance. See our before and after photos to see some examples of belly buttons post tummy tuck. 

Undergoing a tummy tuck is as much an artistic endeavour as it is a medical one, with the belly button being the centrepiece. At the CREO Clinic, our cosmetic surgeon Dr Omar Tillo has combined his medical know-how with the aesthetic skills necessary to provide optimum results.

Can a Tummy Tuck Change Your Belly Button?

A tummy tuck doesn’t usually change the belly button’s positioning but may alter the appearance. For example, your naval should no longer be surrounded or covered by loose, sagging skin. Many people report the tighter appearance to be an improvement. 

Patients generally prefer the appearance of an “innie” belly button. One of the more popular looks is achieved using a surgical technique where the surgeon creates an innie, adding natural depth to the naval with a smooth envelope of skin around it. Overall, your surgeon will aim to make a natural-looking belly button. 

Before and Afters

Marble Trick Myth

The marble trick describes the practice of placing a marble inside the belly button daily following a tummy tuck. The belief is that the skin will heal around the marble, creating the best possible belly button shape. 

However, this is a myth. An experienced cosmetic surgeon should not need to rely upon a marble to craft a natural-looking naval. Patients are instead encouraged to let the natural healing process take its course and let the final result become apparent as inflammation recedes.

Is a Tummy Tuck Worth It?

Many people pursue a tummy tuck procedure to address aesthetic concerns or to enhance the body’s physical abilities. Patients often report better posture and improvements in related health issues such as back pain after the procedure. Therefore, a lot of patients consider a tummy tuck to be a worthwhile endeavour even with the changes that happen to the belly button.  

Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic Today

If you wish to enhance your abdomen and improve your overall physique, a tummy tuck may be for you. Our cosmetic surgeon Dr Tillo has mastered the craft of body sculpting procedures with a particular focus on tummy tuck procedures. Book a tummy tuck consultation with our double board-certified surgeon at the Creo Clinic today, and find out how this procedure can be tailored to you and your tummy and belly button needs.