Did you hear the one about the Houston woman who lost her belly button? She went in for a tummy tuck to send her post-pregnancy pooch packing and “bring sexy back,” but came out without the pooch AND her belly button. Apparently, the belly button was the victim of removing an umbilical hernia, as she discovered upon peeling away the bandage.
Oops. Bringing sexy back probably includes a belly button, huh?
Look Out for Your Belly Button
Don’t leave your helpless belly button to fend for itself. The time to talk with your plastic surgeon about your belly button is before your tummy tuck, not after the bandages come off. A hernia can cause a noticeable bulge next door to your belly button, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to your plastic surgeon during the procedure. If your original belly button can’t be saved, your plastic surgeon can creat a new one that should closely resemble the first model.
Put Your Tummy in Experienced Hands
Your belly button would also appreciate it if you only work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has plenty of experience in performing tummy tucks.
Once you find the right surgeon, good communication can keep your tummy tuck on the right track and your belly button in the right spot. Pay attention as your plastic surgeon discusses whether or not a tummy tuck is the best option to help you achieve your best results. It’s important that you ask questions about every aspect of the procedure to ensure that you bring sexy — and your belly button — back.