What Happens to Your Belly Button During a Tummy Tuck?

If you are looking to regain a firm and toned stomach after substantial weight loss or pregnancy, a tummy tuck is often the ideal procedure. During a tummy tuck, the surgeon removes sagging and excess skin and fat while also tightening abdominal muscles, giving you that slender and toned appearance. 

But what happens to your belly button during a tummy tuck and what exactly is an umbilicoplasty? While you may not think about your belly button when it comes to a tummy tuck, how the surgeon performs belly button repositioning can greatly affect the overall appearance of your tummy tuck results. 

What is a Belly Button?

To better understand what happens to the belly button during a tummy tuck, it is best to understand the belly button. Your belly button is technically a scar and the result of your umbilical cord. This scar is what remains of the outer portion of the umbilical cord that provided you nutrients in the womb. The outer portion of the belly button is connected to the stalk, which is in turn connected to the abdominal muscles.

Repositioning the Belly Button During a Tummy Tuck

During a tummy tuck procedure, the surgeon cuts around the outer border of the belly button in the abdominal skin and pulls it through, leaving it attached to the stalk. The surgeon then removes excess skin and fat, as well as tightens up the abdominal muscles. Once complete, the surgeon stretches the remaining skin over the abdomen to create a tighter, toned appearance. Once done, the surgeon determines the proper location for the belly button and creates a new opening in the skin. The belly button is brought through the new hole and sutured into place. These sutures should not appear noticeable after recovery, giving you a natural appearance.

Creating a natural-looking belly button with a tummy tuck requires skill and finesse. When choosing your tummy tuck surgeon, it is important to look at before and after photos and pay close attention to the belly button. 

When to Consider an Umbilicoplasty

If you had a previous tummy tuck resulting in an unnatural belly button appearance, you don’t have to live with those results. Umbilicoplasty is not only performed during a tummy tuck but can be an individual procedure. It is performed in the same way as a tummy tuck addresses the belly button, removing excess skin and fat to deliver a more appealing belly button shape and position.

Whether you are considering a tummy tuck or simply unhappy with your current belly button, finding a surgeon with the skills and finesse to take their time with your belly button is essential to get the most out of your tummy tuck results. Dr. Eric Chang from Columbia Aesthetic Plastic Surgery takes your belly button seriously and works to deliver a natural, beautiful belly button that doesn’t give away your tummy tuck. To learn more, call 410-740-9330 to schedule your consultation today and get on the road to a belly you are confident to show off!