I’m back with another update from my tummy tuck journey! Today, I’m taking a look at my belly button three weeks post-op.
I’ve always been self-conscious about my belly button. It’s kind of small, and it’s like an outtie—it pokes out a little bit. To be honest, I don’t know why I have this shape—I never had a belly button ring or anything, so I didn’t stretch it out or anything like that. Just… genetics?
When we were talking about my tummy tuck procedure at the doctor’s office, he said that he does a lot of belly button revisions as part of his cosmetic surgery practice. The words just jumped right out of his mouth: “Would you like me to do your belly button revision while I’m there?”
Needless to say, I was like YESSSS. And all of the before pictures, you can see that it looks pretty much the same as always: small and kind of weird-looking.
You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on 3 weeks post op tummy tuck belly button, tummy tuck belly button healing stages. Read on to learn more. We at collegelearners have all the information that you need about belly button too high after tummy tuck. Read on to learn more.
3 weeks post op tummy tuck belly button
So, you’ve decided to get a tummy tuck.
But you still have some questions about the procedure — including about what happens to your belly button after a tummy tuckTrusted Source.
Many people wonder this exact thing, as a botched belly button can make the tummy tuck not worth it at all. Rest assured that in most cases, the belly button won’t be altered or moved, instead the skin and muscle around it will be tightened.
If you opt for a mini tummy tuck, the whole procedure will take place below the belly button, which is a good option for those who are just concerned about a small pooch in the lower belly.
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Tummy tucks and the belly button
During the tummy tuck procedure, an incision will be made in the low abdomen through which fat and stretched skin will be removed, and any loose muscles will be sewn together. Another incision will usually be made around the belly button.
The remaining upper skin is lifted up as high as the rib cage and pulled down like a window shade to the lower skin near the pubic bone. The skin is now stretched tight and the surgeon then chooses the new ideal position to place the stalk of the belly button.
Your belly button is actually attached to the muscles below. During the procedure, it’ll stay attached to its “stalk.” In most cases, the surgeon will create a new opening for the belly buttonTrusted Source, especially if its shape has become distorted after weight gain or pregnancy.
If this isn’t done well, the belly button may end up looking distorted — either too flat, too deep, or the wrong shape. So, it’s important to ask your surgeon to see their portfolio and ask about their ideas for your naval.
If you’re healed from a tummy tuck and still dissatisfied with your belly button, you may consider an umbilicoplasty, which is a surgery to change the appearance of the belly button.
Before and after pictures
It can be helpful to see before and after photos of the belly button after a tummy tuck when deciding if the procedure is right for you. Check out the gallery of real patients below:
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Healing after surgery
The recovery timeline after your tummy tuck will vary depending on several factors including your age, weight, and general health.
You may or may not have to spend the night in the hospital. Your drainage tubes, which pull fluid away from the abdomen, will likely remain in place for several days.
You’ll also need to wear an abdominal binder for about 6 weeks. This is basically a very tight band around the belly that supports the tummy and helps to avoid fluid buildup.
It’s especially important that you wear your binder and avoid strenuous activity so the belly button heals properly.
Post-surgery care
Your doctor should give instructions on how to care for your belly button after a tummy tuck. This may include cleaning the area with warm water or a saltwater solution.
It’s normal for the area to look swollen and even a bit crusty after surgery, and it may take as long as 6 months for the belly button to heal.
When to see a doctor
Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection in the belly button after a tummy tuck. These signs include:
- The belly button looks too constricted or too open.
- Pus or discharge is coming from the naval.
- Your belly button protrudes for more than a few weeks.
- You feel something hard behind the naval.
- The belly button looks distorted or “off.”
- The scar feels painful or becomes more prominent.
- You notice blood at the incision site.
The bottom line
A tummy tuck can be a good way to flatten the stomach and tighten muscles in the abdomen that may have gotten loose from pregnancy, weight gain, or just general aging, but many people wonder what’ll happen to the belly button as a result of the procedure.
Normally, an incision will be made around the naval and it’ll be lifted and put back in the appropriate place to fit the new shape of the stomach. Other times it may be necessary to make a new opening.
It’s always a good idea to see before and after pictures from your surgeon and pay close attention to the belly button area when viewing them.