When it comes to abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), a great looking belly button is an essential part of the equation. The best plastic surgeons understand the attention to detail and technique that goes into creating a natural, attractive-looking navel.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens to the belly button during tummy tuck, Dr. Ronald Schuster shares the answer in this post.
Is the Belly Button Removed?
In most cases of full tummy tuck, the belly button does not get removed; in fact, it does not get moved at all. It stays in place, and the skin around it moves.
The tummy tuck incision is made low on the abdomen, and the abdominal skin is lifted. An additional incision is created around the belly button in order to release it from the surrounding skin, but the belly button remains attached to its “stalk” in the abdominal muscles at all times.
Once the separated or damaged abdominal muscles have been repaired, the abdominal skin is re-draped more tightly over the stomach to give it a flatter contour. As the abdominal skin is pulled down, it will cover the belly button, so a new opening in the skin must be made for the belly button. The belly button is brought through the new opening (imagine pulling a button through a buttonhole) and its edges are stitched into place.
In a mini tummy tuck, only the lower abdomen (i.e., below the belly button) is treated. In those cases, the belly button is not touched or moved.
Creating an Attractive Belly Button
Although the tummy tuck scar is low enough to be hidden by underwear or a bikini button, the belly button is in plain view, so it must look natural and attractive.
Creating a natural-looking belly button requires many years of honing one’s surgical skills and using a meticulous approach. The tummy tuck surgeon must pay close attention to the shape of the opening in the skin, and use careful techniques to suture the belly button into its new opening.
As you are in the process of researching plastic surgeons to perform your tummy tuck, browse before-and-after photographs of the surgeon’s previous patients and look carefully at the belly buttons. Do they look natural and appealing to you? If not, you should find another surgeon whose aesthetic is more in line with what you envision for yourself.
Learn More about Tummy Tuck
If you have additional questions about tummy tuck surgeon, Dr. Schuster invites you to contact our Baltimore, MD practice today.
