The Art of Belly Button Design During a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the country. ⁽¹⁾ Tummy tucks are designed to remove excess skin and tissue from the midsection and repair abdominal muscles to create a tighter, more defined figure. Many surgeons often overlook the importance of the navel, or belly button, during this procedure. The belly button can become malpositioned, misshapen, or stretched due to weight fluctuations, aging, pregnancy, and other factors. During a tummy tuck, our expert surgeons can perform umbilicoplasty, or belly button surgery, to reshape and reposition the belly button to create cohesive results and a more proportionate appearance.

If you are interested in a tummy tuck, look no further than Austin Plastic Surgeon. Each of our surgeons is board-certified. They have collectively helped thousands of patients achieve life-changing results.

To schedule your personal consultation, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please reach out to the office most convenient for you:

About Belly Button Design During a Tummy Tuck

Our surgeons make careful considerations in regards to the belly button’s shape and position during a tummy tuck. During umbilicoplasty, they reposition and refine the belly button, leading to a more aesthetically pleasing and youthful-looking result. While umbilicoplasty may seem like a minor part of a tummy tuck, a well-designed navel is the key to achieving natural-looking results. ⁽²⁾

Benefits

Many benefits can be experienced after undergoing a tummy tuck with belly button reconstruction. These benefits may include:

To learn more about how you may benefit from belly button surgery during your tummy tuck, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call our Austin office at (512) 253-2238, our San Antonio office at (726) 215-7058, or our West Lake Hills office at (512) 253-2195.

Candidates

Suitable candidates for a tummy tuck and belly button revision include individuals with redundant, hanging skin around their torso and waist that is resistant to dieting or exercise. Patients who have recently undergone significant weight loss or postpartum women with stretched or misshapen navels are encouraged to consider the benefits of this procedure. Patients with umbilical hernias, as well as anyone who is dissatisfied with the shape or position of their navel, may also be ideal candidates.

Anyone wishing to undergo a tummy tuck with a belly button revision should be in good overall health without any underlying medical conditions that may inhibit healing. Realistic expectations should also be held regarding what this procedure can accomplish. Individuals should also be nonsmokers or prepared to quit their nicotine use until fully healed. The surgeon will determine each patient’s candidacy during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Each patient is asked to attend a personal consultation at any one of our three offices before undergoing their tummy tuck procedure. This meeting is designed to allow our surgeons to get to know each patient more personally and understand how they can help them achieve their goals. The surgeon will ask each patient about their medical history, concerns, and desired results. A medical examination may also be performed to evaluate each patient’s abdomen and overall anatomy.

The surgeon will then use the information to start crafting each patient’s treatment, personalizing aspects to help address their concerns. Preparation and recovery instructions will also be provided, as well as a cost estimate.

To schedule your personal consultation, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call our Austin office at (512) 253-2238, our San Antonio office at (726) 215-7058, or our West Lake Hills office at (512) 253-2195.

Preparation

Each patient will receive a set of instructions from their surgeon on how to prepare for their tummy tuck. The instructions may vary between patients depending on their treatment plan and the surgical strategies being employed, but each one should be followed to promote a smooth recovery and the best possible results.

Patients may be asked to discontinue using certain medications and supplements, specifically those containing blood-thinning properties. Drinking alcohol should be avoided several days before and after the procedure, and nicotine use should be completely ceased until healed. Those who recently lost a significant amount of weight should ensure that they have reached an ideal, maintainable weight, as fluctuations can alter the results of the procedure.

Procedure

Each patient’s procedure begins with the administration of general anesthesia to ensure a pain-free procedure. The surgeon then makes an incision horizontally between the belly button and the pubic region. The surgeon will place another incision around the navel, preserving the stalk underneath while releasing it from the surrounding skin. ⁽³⁾ If necessary, they will repair and tighten the abdominal muscles. The surgeon excises excess skin and fat from around the torso, leaving each patient with a more defined silhouette.

To perform a belly button revision, the surgeon will create a new location for the belly button with an incision in the newly shaped abdomen. ⁽³⁾ The surgeon can then alter the appearance of the belly button, creating an “innie” belly button or reshaping it to align with the patient’s preferences.

Recovery

Both tummy tucks and umbilicoplasties are performed as outpatient procedures, meaning the patient will be released home to continue resting after their appointment. Each patient’s recovery time will vary depending on the surgical strategies employed in the procedure and the extent of treatment. It is typically recommended that each patient take about three weeks away from work to heal, but the surgeon will discuss a more specific timeframe during the patient’s consultation.

While healing, it is common to experience bruising, swelling, and tenderness in the treated area, but these effects typically dissipate on their own. Any discomfort or pain may be managed with medications approved by our team. Crusting may appear around the new navel, but patients should avoid picking or scratching this area. Physical activities and strenuous tasks should be avoided during recovery, but we often recommend that patients take light walks to help improve their circulation.

Further instructions will be discussed and provided during each patient’s personal consultation.

Results

The results of each patient’s tummy tuck and belly button revision will become more apparent as any residual swelling subsides. Patients will be able to enjoy a more defined and youthful-looking belly button, and the new positioning will provide a more proportionate appearance. The abdomen will also appear smoother and flatter, and each patient will have an overall tighter, more defined figure. This procedure offers long-lasting results, but healthy lifestyle habits should be adopted to preserve its effects.

Corresponding Procedures

Many women, often including those who have undergone massive weight loss or pregnancy, choose to combine their tummy tuck with a breast lift. A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to lift and reposition the breasts to address sagging and deflated tissue. Our surgeons can also reshape and reposition the nipple-areolar complex for a more youthful look.

To learn more about the other procedures that can be performed alongside a tummy tuck, please read the Austin Plastic Surgeon blog!

Cost of Designing a Belly Button During a Tummy Tuck

The cost of each tummy tuck and belly button revision can vary, as each procedure is fully personalized to address each individual’s anatomy and concerns. The surgeon will discuss and provide the cost of each patient’s procedure during their personal consultation once a treatment plan has been established and agreed upon.

To discover the full cost of your belly button revision and tummy tuck, please contact us online. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call our Austin office at (512) 253-2238, our San Antonio office at (726) 215-7058, or our West Lake Hills office at (512) 253-2195.

FAQ

References

1. ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
2. Fell C, Kachare MD, Moore A, Wilhelmi BJ. Does Size Really Matter? A Review on How to Determine the Optimal Umbilical Size During an Abdominoplasty. Eplasty. 2023;23:e38. Accessed April 24, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10350878/
3. Hespe GE, Stepien DM, Sherif RD, Gilman RH. Umbilicoplasty in Abdominoplasty: Modifications for Improved Aesthetic Results. Aesthetic surgery journal Open forum. 2021;3(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojab025