Belly Button Repair

What are the reasons why you may want to have belly button surgery?

Some of the reasons why you may consider belly button surgery include:

• You have no belly button at all;
• You were born with a badly shaped belly button, or you acquired it as a result of injury or previous abdominal surgery;
• You have a small hernia that pooches out in a lump near the belly button. It commonly happens after pregnancy and is known as an umbilical hernia;
• Your navel appears flat or elongated, and you want to make it rounder;
• You have excess skin that is hanging over your belly button.

Believe it or not, it is not uncommon for people to be unhappy with the appearance of their belly button. The reasons for this unattractive shape can be a lot – genes, childbirth, trauma or previous surgery. Belly button repair is a reconstructive surgery that can be tailored to fit your specific needs and help you achieve your desired look. 

Belly button repair techniques

There are a few methods that the plastic surgeon may use in order to repair your belly button. The technique is chosen according to the severity and cause of the distortion of the navel.

Type 1: Umbilical hernia repair / outie belly button surgery

Umbilical hernia repair is a surgical procedure that repairs an outie belly button otherwise known as umbilical hernia. This is a hole in the abdominal wall at the belly button where what is inside can pooch out and look puffy.

Hernia repair surgeries are either performed through an incision in the abdomen (open surgery) or via insertion of a thin, lighted scope (laparoscopic surgery).

• Open surgery. During this surgical procedure, your surgeon will identify the hernia and separate it from the surrounding tissues. After that, the contents of the intestines will be gently pushed back into the abdomen. Then stitches will be used to close the hole in the abdominal wall caused by the umbilical hernia. 
• Laparoscopic surgery. In addition to open surgery, umbilical hernias can also be treated with a laparoscope. This is a small, lighted tube inserted in the belly. It allows the doctor to see inside your abdomen. The scope is inserted through a small abdominal incision.

Type 2: Normal Belly Button Repair (Umbilicoplasty) Caused by Pregnancy or excessive weight gain/loss

It is possible for a patient to have belly button repair as part of a tummy tuck surgery. However, many people prefer to get umbilicoplasty on its own to alter the size and shape of the navel. This is a simple technique typically performed under local anaesthesia.

During umbilicoplasty, the surgeon will carefully remove the excess tissue around the belly button, concealing a new incision inside the navel. Then, strength stitches will be used to keep the tissue together.

It should take less than an hour for the whole procedure to be completed.

What type of surgery is right for you?

The type of technique suitable for you depends on the condition and issue which you are currently facing. If you have some excess skin around the top of your belly button that’s hanging over, the surgeon may remove that skin to make your navel look more open. If you have an “outie” then the specialist will make that “outie” into an “innie”. In case you had previously undergone abdominal surgery and didn’t like your navel, the doctor can help reshape it.

The only person who is able to determine what procedure is best for you is the plastic surgeon. So, if you have any concerns about the appearance of your belly button, you will first need to book a consultation with a specialist.

Recovery time from belly button repair treatment

Belly button repair is not a complicated operation. It is more often carried out under local anaesthesia, which means you will not feel any pain within that region that is operated on during the surgery. You can usually go back home almost immediately.

You may experience some pain and discomfort for the first day following your operation. The treated area is more likely to be swollen and bruised. Your doctor may advise you to apply ice packs to minimize the amount of swelling. After 3 to 4 days, you probably will be able to return to work. 

However, you still need to avoid lifting heavy objects or doing strenuous activities for at least 3 weeks. After that, you may start doing some light biking or light walking and then incrementally work your way back up from light activities to heavier exercises. Ultimately, after 4 weeks, you should be completely recovered, and you will be able to do everything that you were able to do before your surgery.

Complications and risks from belly button reconstruction

Although belly button repair is a small cosmetic procedure, it still carries some risks. Here are some of the possible complications and side effects of this surgery.

• Pain. It is normal to have pain during the first day after your belly button surgery. However, it is usually not intense and can be easily managed by painkillers.
• Swelling and bruising. There will be only light bruising and swelling that will disappear in a few days.
• Bleeding and infections. You need to stop smoking (if you do smoke) at least 2 weeks before belly button repair to reduce the chance of bleeding. After the surgery, you might be prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent any infections.
• Visible scarring. The surgeons are usually careful to cut the skin so that any scars are hidden within the belly button. Though, sometimes there is excessive scarring, hence additional procedure might be necessary.

On a final note

Belly button repair is usually a simple cosmetic surgery that doesn’t require general anaesthesia or any forms of hospital stay. Most patients are happy with their belly button shape. In addition, the operation produces permanent results.

To learn more about belly button reconstruction, please contact us at Shens Clinic!