Tummy Tuck With Same Belle Button
Do I get to keep my belly button?” or “Can I get an innie?” is something that comes up in almost all tummy tuck consultations. Quite simply, patients do indeed keep their own belly buttons; it is the surrounding skin and tissues that are rearranged.
In order to explain how and why this happens we must first understand what a belly button represents. The belly button is a scar remnant from the umbilical cord, the structure that connects you to your mother during pregnancy, delivering all the necessary nutrients. read more on hardness around belly button after tummy tuck/tummy tuck belly button scar.
Tummy Tuck With Same Belle Button
It is essentially a stalk that starts on the skin and ends at the abdominal wall covering (fascia), at the point where the 2 rectus abdominis (sit-up) muscles meet in the midline. Aside from being your first scar, the main purpose of the belly button after birth is cosmetic and is one of the factors that helps to define normal abdominal contour (figure 1).
Early in the procedure the inner border of the belly button is held up and incised around its skin edges (figure 2) and dissected down to its base on the abdominal wall (figures 3). The length of the belly button stalk depends on the amount of fat between the skin and muscle. The excess skin and fat are retracted and the belly button is seen within the separation of the abdominal muscles (figure 4). The muscles are tightened (figure 5), the excess skin and fat is removed (figure 6), and the tightened skin edges are sutured together. The belly button stalk remains attached to the abdominal wall at its original location and is brought out through a new opening on the skin at a corresponding location on the abdomen (figure 6). Its edges are then neatly sutured to the new opening which is typically at the level of the hip bone protuberances (the anterior superior iliac spines in medical terms.
While the pre-surgical appearance of the belly button plays a big role in its post-operative appearance, there are certain maneuvers that can assure it looks as attractive as possible. For instance, if there is an umbilical hernia it should be repaired at the same time as the tummy tuck to assure there is no bulge within the belly button. Also, the stalk of the belly button can be sutured down to the abdominal wall to assure it remains an “innie.”
The final appearance of the belly button after a tummy tuck should look natural with an inconspicuous scar (figure 8). Although the belly button does not have an important functional role after birth, it plays a critical role in determining the success of any abdominal contouring procedure and requires great attention to detail.
Hardness Around Belly Button After Tummy Tuck
After surgery, your body sends white blood cells and healing compounds to the area where surgery was performed in order to jumpstart the recovery process. Tummy tuck surgery causes changes to the patient’s lymphatic drainage system. Increased fluids in the area will cause it to grow larger during initial healing. Swelling is a normal response to an injury, so most of the swelling will be located near the incision. A compression garment will help with swelling and yield better results.
The extent of swelling may also depend on the type of surgery you receive. A mini tummy tuck results in less swelling and recovery time versus a traditional tummy tuck. Combining a tummy tuck with another surgery will also increase the swelling and recovery time. Pain medication can also cause constipation, bloating, and increased swelling.
Stages of Swelling After a Tummy Tuck
- 3 weeks after a tummy tuck, swelling is common to occur in the lower abdominal area, and patients will even experience hardness around the belly button.
- 3 months after a tummy tuck, major swelling in the lower abdomen should begin to subside, but mild swelling and puffiness may still be present.
- 6 months after your tummy tuck, you may experience persistent bloating, especially after long hours of standing. A restful night’s sleep will improve any abdominal swelling.
- 8-10 months after a tummy tuck, most swelling will subside. However, fluid retention due to diet and salt intake may be cause for a swollen belly. If you experience a bloated upper or lower abdomen 10 months after a tummy tuck should contact their doctor.
- One year after a tummy tuck, post-surgical swelling will diminish gradually, but there is no specific schedule for individual recovery. If swelling seems unusual, please consult with Dr. Bell.
- Two years after a tummy tuck, a protruding stomach may occur because of visceral fat and loose muscle. In these cases, patients should lose weight to reduce bloating. However, in most cases, you will be fully healed.
Following Dr. Bell’s aftercare instructions is the key to effectively resolving swelling and puffiness after a tummy tuck, along with practicing patience. Patients with a strong immune system who follow post-operative care instructions heal fully and fast.
How Long Does the Swelling Last?
Swelling after a tummy tuck can last for a long time since the surgery is quite extensive. The most noticeable swelling will subside after 2-3 months, but mild swelling in the abdominal region may still be common. Over the course of 1-2 years, patients will notice all swelling diminish. However, the majority of swelling resolves after 2 months.
Because pain, swelling, and bruising are common after a tummy tuck, patients will receive medication to reduce discomfort while they are in recovery. The pain will decrease a few days after the procedure, but in some cases it can take up to 2 weeks for pain to subside.
Do’s and Don’t’s After a Tummy Tuck Surgery
Being patient and following Dr. Bell’s after-care instructions are the key to resolving swelling. Rushing the healing process or exerting yourself against instructions can cause swelling to persist. Do not touch your stitches/the incision as your hands can introduce bacteria and cause infection. Your muscles need time to heal before being exerted, so avoid extensive physical activity until you are told it is alright to go ahead with your regular exercise routine.
9 Tips For Reducing Swelling After a Tummy Tuck
While swelling after a tummy tuck is inevitable, there are some steps you can take to reduce swelling and encourage your body to heal quickly without any complications.
Take the Time to Rest
After your abdominoplasty, it’s important to give your body time to heal and recover. Not only does this mean avoiding strenuous activity, such as intense cardiovascular exercise or weight training following your surgery, but it’s also important to make sure you get enough sleep. Allowing your body to rest will keep your immune system strong, and allow it to focus on healing your midsection from your tummy tuck procedure.
Follow a Healthy Diet
You can help encourage your immune system to heal following your surgery by fuelling your body with healthy, nourishing foods. Opt for healthy foods that are high in protein, which will help your body repair its tissues following the surgery, as well as foods that are high in vitamins C and A. Try to eat meals that feature mainly lean proteins, whole grains, and vegetables, and limit your intake of simple carbohydrates as these types of foods can cause bloating and discomfort. It’s also important to ensure you’re getting adequate fiber in order to maintain good digestion.
Additionally, it’s best to avoid eating foods that may cause gastrointestinal distress or discomfort, such as foods that are high in fat and sugar, dairy products (if you are lactose intolerant), or foods that naturally cause gassiness, such as beans and foods that are high in starch.
Reduce Your Sodium Intake
Too much salt can cause bloating, which can cause discomfort and impede your body’s healing process. Try to eat foods that are low in sodium, and adjust the amount of salt you use to season your food when preparing meals at home.
Drink Lots of Water
Staying hydrated is key to encouraging your body to heal. Try to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can dehydrate you.
Lightly Exercise
While strenuous exercise may interfere with your body’s natural healing process, it’s important to keep moving: light exercise stimulates blood flow and good circulation throughout your body, including to your abdomen, which encourages speedy healing. Try walking around the block or on a treadmill, or participating in gentle yoga classes (though, if you do this, be careful to avoid or modify any poses that may put a strain on your midsection as it heals).
Use a Compression Garment
A compression garment can help reduce swelling around your midsection, as it will limit the amount of fluid that can accumulate in the area. Your surgeon will advise on the best length of time for you to wear a compression garment following your surgery, but generally one should be worn for around two weeks.
Take Prescribed Medication
After your tummy tuck procedure, your surgeon may recommend or prescribe medication that will help ease any swelling – or discomfort resulting from swelling – after your surgery. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions. Anti-inflammatories that are available over the counter, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may be ideal. Some anti-inflammatory medication carries with it the risk of blood thinning, so it’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions, or contact the clinic if you have any questions or concerns about the medication you wish to take.
Tummy Tuck Belly Button Scar
All of our tummy tuck patients received two complimentary Healite II LED Light Therapy sessions following their procedure. Low-level light therapy is proven to assist with wound healing and scar minimisation, helping to promote collagen production and improve circulation around the surgical site. Many patients go on to purchase a package of LED sessions to utilise during their immediate recovery period. We recommend 1-2 sessions per week within the first 12- weeks following surgery.
Continue taping your scar up to 12-weeks post-op
At 6-weeks post-op, your surgical dressings will be removed by our nursing team. To minimise tension on the scar, we recommend continuing to tape your scars for 12-weeks post-operatively. Continuing to tape the length of your tummy tuck scar will help to minimise tension on the site while the abdomen swells in ebbs and flows. The less tension on the incision, the less likely the scar is to stretch over time. At your 6-week post-op appointment, we will provide you with a roll of brown Micropore tape to continue your dressing regime. We recommend taping the length of the scar once per week for the next 6-weeks. Unlike the white Hypafix tape used in your immediate post-operative period, the brown Micropore tape is water resistant and does not need to be blow-dried after showering. Massages can be performed over top of the Micropore tape while showering to help break up the scar tissue.
Your compression garment is effective in managing post-operative swelling and fluid retention by increasing blood circulation and nutrients to the surgical area. It assists in decreasing discomfort, bruising, and pressure on the incisions which can help reduce visible scars.
Your dressings keep the wound together while the body’s healing process is taking place. Your dressings are designed to last 3-weeks. They are vital to keeping the wound from stretching and avoiding infection. It is counterproductive to remove dressings in the early stages of healing as it disturbs the healing wound bed and ultimately affects the long term functional and aesthetic appearance of the surgical scar.
Although the dressings are waterproof it is important that water does not get under them. Breaching this dressing barrier may result in a breakdown of the surgical incision – the drier that you can keep the dressings in the first 6-weeks, the better your scar will heal in the long-term.