Tummy tuck surgery has an extremely high rate of satisfaction—a RealSelf “Worth It” rating of 95%. After this transformative surgery, patients enjoy smooth abdominal skin, a flat belly, and a slimmer waist. But did you know that a tummy tuck can reshape your belly button?
One of the main perks of a tummy tuck is that it can reshape a droopy, misshapen belly button. In fact, an appealing belly button is an indication that you had your procedure performed by a skilled tummy tuck surgeon.
Body Changes, Belly Button Changes
All of our bodies change over time. The midsection can especially be impacted by things such as pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and aging. These things can change the shape and appearance of the belly button and make it appear squished, stretched, or pushed outward.
It makes sense that the navel is one of the first things people see when looking at the midsection. Some men and women may feel self-conscious about their belly button when wearing swimwear or other clothing that exposes the belly button. I can correct this problem during a tummy tuck.
What Happens to the Belly Button During a Tummy Tuck?
During an abdominoplasty, the surgeon makes an incision just above the pubic area, then lifts the abdominal skin. The belly button must be released from the overlying skin, so the surgeon makes an incision encircling the navel. The upper abdominal skin is pulled down, the excess skin is trimmed, and the remaining skin is sutured together. A new opening for the belly button is created in the skin. The belly button is popped through to the surface and sutured into position.
A Better Technique for a Better Belly Button
When the skin around the midsection is adjusted during tummy tuck surgery, the appearance of the navel is affected. With a typical tummy tuck navel incision, the belly button can look unnatural, taking on an unusual circular shape. Aside from looking odd, these overly round belly buttons cause some patients to feel dissatisfied with their surgery. It can be an obvious sign that you have undergone surgery.
To prevent this issue, I use an “inverted chevron” technique during tummy tuck surgery. Instead of the traditional navel incision, I create an upside-down “U” shape that prevents the navel from looking unnaturally round. The inverted chevron incision creates a hood-like appearance that more closely resembles the natural shape of most belly buttons.
The incision itself isn’t more complicated than the usual belly button incision, but it does add a finishing, artistic touch that improves the appearance of the midsection. You can see the real results our patients enjoy in our tummy tuck before-and-after photo gallery.
Can You Turn an “Outie” Into an “Innie?”
Yes! A tummy tuck can also be combined with a treatment known as umbilical hernia repair. During pregnancy, the pressure from the baby can cause the belly button to “pop” outward. A tummy tuck can fix the hernia and change an “outie” back to an “innie.”
I can also reduce the size of the belly button overall through a procedure called umbilicoplasty.
Learn More
In the end, tummy tuck surgery can transform many areas of the body. With the help of a skilled surgeon, patients can improve the appearance of their belly button and have the midsection they’ve always wanted. Learn more about the other benefits of tummy tuck surgery in our related blog post.
If you would like to learn more about your tummy tuck options from an experienced plastic surgeon in the Richmond, VA, area, please request a consultation online. You can also contact my office by phone at (804) 267-6009.