What is an Umbilicoplasty?

Umbilicoplasty, or belly button/navel surgery, is a cosmetic procedure designed to make the belly button (medical term – umbilicus) look more normal or aesthetically pleasing. Belly button correction often makes a flat or frown shaped navel into a hooded, cuter smile shaped navel. Navel correction is often performed alone, as the primary procedure, but is often combined with other cosmetic surgeries such as a tummy tuck or liposuction.

Umbilicoplasty can remove old belly button piercings, surrounding stretch marks and stretched out skin and local fat in the area of the navel for a rejuvenated belly button. Often, a small umbilical hernia or outpouching in the belly button area is corrected at the same time. This bulging is due to rectus diastasis – separation of the rectus abdominis muscles that often occurs with pregnancy.

Is an Umbilicoplasty Part of a Tummy Tuck or a Mommy Makeover?

It can be! Normally, the belly button is corrected as part of a tummy tuck or Mommy Makeover. The umbilicus is inset through the abdominal wall skin to create a cute little hooded “innie” navel. Learn more about a tummy tuck.

What Happens During an Umbilicoplasty?

During an Umbilicoplasty, the belly button is modified to look more normal and aesthetically pleasing. If surgery is taking place in the office, local anesthesia is injected to numb the area and to constrict blood vessels so there is minimal bleeding during the procedure. An incision is made around the belly button. Excess skin and stretch marks are often removed, and minor rectus diastasis is corrected by repairing the muscles back together in the area of the umbilicus. If an abdominoplasty is being performed as well, the entire abdominal wall muscles are repaired – full rectus fascial plication.

What is the Recovery after Umbilicoplasty?

Following an Umbilicoplasty, there may be minor discomfort that will be relieved by Tylenol or a few doses of a stronger pain medication. Return to work can be in 1-2 days. Exercise should be avoided for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Showering can occur a few days after surgery. A compressive garment such as a high waisted stretchy yoga pants and/or an abdominal binder with compressive EPI-foam will help decrease postoperative swelling (called edema) and encourage the fastest results.

If liposuction is added to Umbilicoplasty, swelling and bruising are expected for 2-3 weeks and direct sun should be avoided during healing. Firm edema should resolve in around 6 weeks. The final results often take 3-6 months after any Plastic Surgery procedure. Scar therapy education will occur around the 6 week follow up visit and should continue for at least 6-9 months.
Often, liposuction is added to an Umbilicoplasty for the very best aesthetic results. Excess fat is suctioned from the central belly region – this can also be done in the office under local anesthesia.

Where Can I See Before and After Photographs of Umbilicoplasty Procedures?

Before and after Umbilicoplasty cases can be seen in our before and after Umbilicoplasty Gallery.

Who is a Good Candidate for Umbilicoplasty?

An appropriate candidate for Umbilicoplasty is a man or woman who is as close as possible to their ideal weight, with a good level of physical fitness and a belly button they would like to improve the appearance of their navel or to remove an old navel piercing and/or surrounding stretch marks. Read more about who are ideal candidates for Plastic Surgery.

What Are Potential Risks and Complications of Umbilicoplasty?

Like any Plastic Surgery procedure involving skin and fat, there are potential risks of infection, bleeding, wound healing problems and poor scars. A preoperative visit that occurs 1-2 weeks before surgery will be arranged to fully educate patients about what to expect following their Umbilicoplasty, what activities to avoid and for how long, to answer other recovery questions and to provide prescriptions for before/after surgery.
Prescriptions provided at the preoperative visit include an anti-anxiety medication that we recommend the night before and day of surgery, a few doses of postoperative pain medication and a few days of preventative antibiotics to take after surgery.

How Do I Know Whether Umbilicoplasty is Right For Me?

If you are interested in scheduling a consultation for Umbilicoplasty or to learn more, complete our online consultation request form or call us at 415-923-3067 to request additional information.