Navel surgery for a beautiful belly button

Procedure Summary

General surgery has been available for many years to correct the damage caused to the navel as a result of, for example, trauma, previous abdominal surgery or a small hernia near the navel. However, the relatively small number of people seeking plastic surgery to enhance their belly button has soared over recent years corresponding to the continual widespread popularity of low-rise jeans and midriff tops that put women’s belly buttons on full display!

Are you a candidate for navel surgery?

The belly button is formed at birth, though it may alter as we age due to such things as extreme weight change and pregnancy. The cosmetic modification made by an umbilicoplasty may seem like a minor change, but it can dramatically boost confidence in your appearance and allow you to enjoy a full range of fashions without feeling self-conscious. “I have never worn a bikini because my belly button looks so unusual,” said one woman in her 20s. “My navel stuck out so much people couldn’t help noticing it and staring. Belly button surgery transformed my life. As well as being able to wear the clothes I want to, I feel relaxed and confident about my body.”

Although belly button surgery can create the navel you desire, you should bear in mind that it will not make your abdomen appear thinner or firmer. If this is part of the look you are wanting, you should talk to your surgeon about additional procedures to complement your new navel. Your suitability for surgery will be discussed during your initial consultation with the plastic surgeon. “At first I felt a bit silly asking for cosmetic surgery on my belly button,” said another umbilicoplasty patient. “But then I thought, I wouldn’t hesitate if it was a large mole, or a wart – I would deal with it immediately. So why not my weird-looking, sticky-out belly button?” And it’s not just for women either, men can reap the benefits of an umbilicoplasty too whenever they bare their stomach – on the beach, playing sports or during sexual intimacy.

Undergoing belly button surgery

During the procedure, which usually lasts around 1 hour, you will remain awake but feel very little discomfort thanks to local anaesthesia to numb the area around the navel and a sedative to make you feel drowsy and relaxed.

If the position of the navel is to be changed, the surgeon will remove the surrounding skin. If only the shape is to be modified the surgeon will generally make the necessary incisions within the belly button itself to minimise the visibility of the scarring. Various techniques are used to restyle your belly button depending on the shape you require. Once the surgery is complete, a light dressing will be applied and you will probably be released from hospital after only a few hours. As any stitches are likely to be dissolvable there is no need to return to hospital to have them removed. You can expect to return to non-strenuous activities the day after your operation and for full recovery to take a week or so. As one patient commented, “I couldn’t believe how quick, simple and painless it was. I went in with an outtie and a few hours later I came out with an innie!”

As with any cosmetic surgery, there can be complications following navel surgery. These include prolonged healing, infection, loss of tissue, excessive bleeding, noticeable scars, permanent pigment changes, numbness and asymmetry. However, a large number of umbilicoplasties are carried out each year. When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, and when the patient complies with all pre and post operation advice, the results are typically successful.

Who should carry out your umbilicoplasty?

Only fully trained and qualified surgeons with experience gained in an establishment registered with the Healthcare Commission (in the UK) should perform an umbilicoplasty. The cost of an umbilicoplasty can range from £800 to £1,500. If navel surgery is something that you are considering, you can discuss all of the issues mentioned here in greater depth during a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon.

Related Umbilicoplasty Information

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