American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 
Schnee
one year ago
Answered

Unpleasant belly button post laparotomy

I had a laparotomy post car accident approximately 10 years ago, with two laparoscopies after. I have noticed that my stomach now has a very evident dip where my belly button is, which always makes me look larger than I am. I am carrying some extra weight, but even when lighter, my belly button always looks unappealing, and my upper stomach always hangs over. What procedure would help? Thank you!

Procedure: Tummy Tuck
Location: Perth, WA - Australia

Replies 4

Lawrence Glassman
ASPS Surgeon

A combination of liposuction and scar revision can often improve the aesthetics of the belly button (umbilicus). Some deformities in this area, are associated with underlying hernias related to the laparoscopy incisions. Consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, and good communication about expectations are important.

Wishing you success.

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Samir Shureih

Based on one picture, and limited history and physical examination.

First you have a very nice and good belly button. There is some excess fat around the belly and hips. An examination is needed and full historyas to the original laparatomy surgery and subsequent laparascopies, and your expectations.

Start with a consult with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Loose some weight based on your BMI, then re-evaluate. since your vertical scar seems a good scar. whether any surgical intervention would get you your expectations. A good surgeon would tell you if surgery would meet your expectation or advise no surgery.

Your laparascopic surgeries after the original surgery is probably for adhesions. These adhesions will not be prevented by cosmetic surgery to the belly or the belly button

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Alfred Antonetti
ASPS Surgeon

Your umbilicus looks just fine. It has a scar around it from your prior surgery and this scar seems to have healed very well. We can not make a scar disappear but sometimes they can be improved by a revision. I would not just revise your umbilical scar because it already looks good enough, the chances for improvement are small and there is a chance of making it worse. You may have a small diastasis of the rectus muscles and a little loose skin but this is not enough to warrant an abdominoplasty and I would recommend against it. You seem to be a little overweight but not bad enough at all. Liposuction may help but a little weight loss may be all you need. What you need next is a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon right there where you live so they can fully examine you ad advise you according to your concerns and expectations.

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Boris Volshteyn
ASPS Surgeon

I think, I see what you mean. Do you have a belly button and then you have a super scar in the upper portion of the belly button that creates additional indentation. I’ve seen it before. If this is the only concern, the secondary scar can be released with a needle in the office under local anesthetic. If that is not enough, liposuction can be performed around the belly button to reduce or soften the indentation. It is a little bit hard to see from the side view But this is my basic opinion

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