Do They Move Your Belly Button During a Tummy Tuck? (What Actually Happens)

Your belly button probably is not the first thing you think about when considering a tummy tuck. Then you hear that it has to be “moved,” and suddenly you have questions.

Where does it go? Do they actually detach it? Are you getting a new belly button?

The answer is a little less dramatic than it sounds. During a full tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, your belly button usually stays attached to the abdominal wall. What changes is the skin around it. As excess skin is removed and the remaining abdominal skin is pulled downward, a new opening is created for your belly button.

At art&fact, a surgeon-led plastic surgery and medical aesthetics clinic in Calgary, Alberta, tummy tuck surgery is performed by our board-certified plastic surgeons. So, what does it actually mean when we say the belly button is “moved” during a tummy tuck?

What Actually Happens to Your Belly Button During a Tummy Tuck?

Despite how it is sometimes described, your belly button is not usually cut off and moved somewhere else during a full tummy tuck. It stays attached to the abdominal wall.

During surgery, an incision is made around the belly button to separate it from the surrounding abdominal skin. This allows your surgeon to pull the skin downward and remove the excess without changing where the belly button itself is attached.

Once the abdominal skin has been repositioned, your surgeon creates a new opening in the skin and brings your existing belly button through it. The skin is then closed around the belly button in its new opening.

So, while it may look like your belly button has been moved, it is really the skin around it that has changed position.

Does Every Tummy Tuck Address the Belly Button?

Not necessarily. There are different types of tummy tuck surgery, and what happens to the belly button depends on where excess skin is located and how much needs to be removed.

The names can make these sound like completely different surgeries, but they are really different approaches to abdominoplasty based on where excess skin is located and how it needs to be removed.

You do not need to know which type of tummy tuck you need before your consultation. At art&fact, tummy tuck surgery is performed by our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Alexandra Hatchell, Dr. Mieke Heyns, Dr. Aaron Knox, Dr. Peter Mankowski, and Dr. Justin Yeung. Your surgeon will assess your abdomen, talk about what you are hoping to change, and determine which approach may be appropriate for you.

Will My Belly Button Look Different After a Tummy Tuck?

It can. Even though your original belly button is preserved during most tummy tuck procedures, it may look different after surgery.

Pregnancy, weight changes, and loose skin can change the shape of the belly button over time. It may become wider, more horizontal, or develop excess skin that hangs over the upper edge. During a tummy tuck, your surgeon can address some of these changes when creating the new opening for the belly button.

What Makes a Belly Button Look Natural After a Tummy Tuck?

There is more to creating the belly button opening than simply making a hole in the skin. Your surgeon considers several details, including:

• Shape: Belly buttons are not typically perfect circles. A more vertical or oval shape can help create a natural appearance.
• Depth: The belly button should have some natural depth rather than sitting completely flat against the abdomen.
• Scar placement: Where the incision is placed can help make the scar less noticeable once it has healed.

If you have specific preferences or concerns about your belly button, bring them up during your consultation. It may seem like a small detail, but it can make a difference in how your abdomen looks after a tummy tuck.

What Is Healing and Recovery Like for the Belly Button?

Your belly button will not look like its final result right after surgery. Swelling is normal during early recovery and can temporarily change its shape, depth, and overall appearance.

During the first couple of weeks, the incision around your belly button may look red, swollen, or more noticeable. Your surgeon will give you instructions for keeping the area clean and caring for the incision while it heals. As the swelling comes down and the tissues begin to soften, the appearance of your belly button will gradually start to settle.

It can take several months for swelling to fully resolve. The scar around the belly button will also continue to change over time, typically becoming less noticeable as it matures. Like the rest of your tummy tuck result, your belly button will continue to change as your body heals.

What does a Tummy Tuck Cost in Calgary?

Because every tummy tuck is tailored to each patient’s goals and anatomy, pricing is confirmed at your consultation once your surgeon has mapped out exactly what your plan involves. For reference, a tummy tuck at art&fact starts at $13,800 plus GST. Your consultation includes a written treatment plan with exact pricing before you make any decision.

Frequently Asked Questions About Your Belly Button After a Tummy Tuck

Can My Belly Button Be Revised After a Tummy Tuck?

Yes. If you have concerns about the shape, size, position, or scar around your belly button after a tummy tuck, an umbilical revision may be an option. However, your belly button needs time to heal and settle before the final result can be assessed. If you have concerns, your plastic surgeon can determine whether a revision is appropriate and when it should be considered.

Can I Get a Belly Button Piercing After a Tummy Tuck?

Potentially, but you will need to wait until your belly button and the surrounding tissues have fully healed. Piercing the area too early could interfere with healing or introduce an increased risk of infection. Talk to your plastic surgeon before having your belly button pierced or re-pierced after surgery.

What Happens to an Existing Belly Button Piercing During a Tummy Tuck?

You will typically need to remove your belly button jewelry before surgery. Because the abdominal skin is repositioned during a tummy tuck, an existing piercing may change position, close, or no longer line up the way it did before surgery. If keeping or re-piercing your belly button is important to you, bring it up with your surgeon during your consultation.

Book a Tummy Tuck Consultation in Calgary

If you are considering a tummy tuck, the next step is a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. During your consultation, your surgeon will assess your anatomy, discuss your goals, and explain your options so you can make an informed decision.

art&fact is located at 2403 33 Avenue SW in Calgary's Marda Loop. Call (403) 800-9157 or book a consultation through our contact page.

We look forward to meeting you!

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