I was born with gastroscesus. Once my intestines were back inside my body they just gathered up the skin around the hole & sewed it together. It is bumpy and scarred & looks nothing like a normal belly button. It is embarrassing. How can I get it fixed?
A scar can be improved by a variety of ways. Factors that come into play include your age, the elasticity of your skin, the tightness of the scar and your body’s ability to heal well. Consult with your plastic surgeon to at least get an opinion of where you are as a candidate for surgery
Yes, this is something we have done in our Surgical Center several times. You would require an examination to determine which surgical procedure(s) would be best for your condition. Consider a consult with an ASPS Member in your area. They are experts in Reconstructve Surgery.
Dear M. LexiHogeland, your birth condition was difficult to solve in terms of cosmetics, Depend on your skin, comorbidities and the magnitude of your problem the scar can be big. Sometimes, to improve scar more than one surgery is necessary. Please, consult with an ASPS member in your area.
Hello and thank you for your excellent question. Yes, you are absolutely a candidate for a scar revision. Potentially, this can be performed under local anesthesia. It is essential that you have an in-person consultation to develop a treatment plan that specifically addresses your personal surgical goals, and your body’s anatomy. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!
Best,
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS
Hello - Your doing the correct thing by reaching out for advice. A scar revision may be the right thing for you. Your next step is to have a consultation with an ASPS plastic surgeon. Following that meeting, you will have a better idea of your options and costs.
Good Luck !
You are doing the best thing by getting informed by ASPS Plastic Surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who can provide you with options to improve your scaring and to hopefully be able to create a more normal looking umbilicus. Often times this type of surgery(ies) can be performed under local anesthesia. I recommend you schedule a consultation and then you will be better able to understand your options. Good Luck.
Gastroschisis repair when you are a baby definitely creates the scars at the belly button that you are describing. It is difficult to comment on your specific case without seeing a photo and seeing you in person, but I am pretty confident that your situation can be helped. You may need an umbilicoplasty (basically a recreation of the belly button), simple scar revision, or if you have a lot of loose belly skin you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck. Be sure to consult with an experienced Plastic Surgeon who can guide you through the process. Best wishes!
Gastroschisis presents many challenges for abdominal reconstruction both initially in infancy and later for cosmetic improvement. Loose skin and recreation of your umbilicus are possible, but it is impossible to comment on your specific case without seeing pictures of your abdomen and doing a physical exam. Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon in your area for evaluation.
Great question and it is commendable that you use this forum to get advice from board-certified plastic surgeons. What you experienced as a child is a complicated issue and it's great that you are doing so well. Typically, scar revisions can be performed on unsightly scars that have healed in a way that you may not like. Without seeing photos, it is challenging to advise you. At the most basic explanation, however, a scar revision is removing a scar that has not healed well or is not well-concealed and repairing the resulting wound in a way that the scar heals finer or is hidden. Several factors play into how a scar will appear. The best thing is for you to see a plastic surgeon who has experience with abdominal surgery and see how he/she can help!
Hello and thank you for your question. From what you describe you are a candidate for a scar revision or umbilicoplasty to improve your childhood scar. The procedure that best suits you is dependent on the quality and size of the scar as well as the surrounding tissue. You should seek an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to review your anatomy and collaborate on a plan to address your concerns.
Good luck!