You’ve made the decision to get a tummy tuck.
You still have some concerns, though, such as what will happen to your belly button following a stomach tuck. Many people have this same question because a misplaced belly button might render a stomach tuck completely ineffective. You may be sure that most of the time the skin and muscle around the belly button won’t be changed or shifted, only tightened. A little tummy tuck is a fantastic alternative for people who are only concerned about a small bulge in the lower belly because the entire treatment will take place below the belly button.
Belly buttons and tummy tucks
An incision will be made in the low abdomen during the tummy tuck treatment, through which fat and strained skin will be removed, and any loose muscles will be stitched together. Usually, a second incision will be made at the abdominal button. The remaining upper skin is drawn down like a window shade to the lower skin close to the pubic bone, where it is pushed up as high as the rib cage. After tightening the skin, the surgeon decides where the stalk of the belly button should be positioned.
Actually, the muscles below are connected to your belly button. It will remain fastened to its “stalk” during the treatment. The surgeon will typically make a new opening for the belly button, particularly if its shape has changed as a result of weight gain or pregnancy.
Incorrect technique could result in a belly button that is either too flat, too deep, or the wrong form. Therefore, it’s crucial to ask your surgeon to show you their portfolio and discuss their thoughts with you regarding your naval. If you have recovered from a tummy tuck but are still unhappy with the appearance of your belly button, you may want to think about having an umbilicoplasty, a procedure to alter the belly button’s appearance.
Healing following surgery
The time it takes for you to recuperate after having a stomach tuck will depend on a number of things, including your age, weight, and overall health. It’s possible that you’ll have to stay the night in the hospital. You should expect your drainage tubes, which remove fluid from the abdomen, to stay in place for a few days. A six-week period of abdominal binder usage is also required. This is essentially an extremely tight band that wraps around the belly, supporting it and preventing fluid collection. Wearing your binder and avoiding excessive activities are particularly crucial for the belly button’s full healing.
Postoperative care
After a stomach tuck, your doctor should provide advice on how to take care of your belly button. A saltwater solution or warm water may be used to clean the region. After surgery, it’s typical for the area to appear bloated and sometimes even crusty. The belly button may take up to 6 months to heal completely.
When to visit a doctor
If you get symptoms of infection in the belly button following a stomach tuck, call your doctor right once. These indicators include:
- The belly button seems either too tight or too open.
- The naval is discharging or making noise.
- Your belly button protrudes for a prolonged period of time.
- Something solid can be felt behind the naval.
- The belly button appears to be “off” or deformed.
- The scar hurts or gets more noticeable.
- The incision site has blood on it.
In conclusion
Many individuals are concerned about what will happen to the belly button after a tummy tuck, but it can be an excellent technique to flatten the stomach and tighten abdominal muscles that may have gone lax from pregnancy, weight increase, or just natural ageing.
The naval is typically lifted and repositioned to fit the new form of the stomach by an incision made around it. Other times, a fresh opening can be required. Always ask your surgeon for before and after photos, and pay special attention to the area around the belly button when looking at them.