What happens to the belly button during a tummy tuck?
If you’ve been thinking about getting a tummy tuck soon, this post might be of help. It aims to shed light on what happens to the belly button during a tummy tuck procedure.
So without further ado, let’s dive into this body shaping method and see what’s in store for your belly button.
An incision will be made around it
An important thing to know is that a tummy tuck is different from liposuction though the main objective of both would be to remove excess abdominal fat. But since a tummy tuck involves surgery, your belly button will be affected.
It’s on your lower abdomen where the incision will be made to tighten the skin and muscles around it. Another incision will be made around your belly button so the skin can be lifted higher and tighter.
Any reputable plastic surgery clinic will tell you that a tummy tuck won’t make your belly button disappear. You can now breathe a sigh of relief.
It can look distorted if not done well
Because your belly button is pretty much attached to your abdominal muscles, it could get distorted if the plastic surgeon doesn’t do a good job during the procedure. And nobody wants a wonky-looking navel, right?
You can look at some before and after pictures at the clinic to see if there are signs of patients’ botched procedures. Take special note of oddly shaped, off-centre, or too narrow or deep belly buttons that don’t look natural.
But don’t fret because a tummy tuck is one of the most common plastic surgeries in Singapore. This means you won’t have to travel to Korea for plastic surgery since there are lots of reputable surgeons here.
You’ll need to wear a belly binder after the procedure
Just like with post-pregnancy recovery, a belly binder is a must for optimal recovery and results after a tummy tuck. You can expect to use an abdominal binder for at least six weeks if you want to heal properly.
A lot will depend on your age, overall health, weight, and how fast you heal from surgery. You could spend several nights at the hospital post-surgery and have drainage tubes keep fluid away from your abdominal area.
You’ll also be advised to avoid activities that can strain your abdominal muscles. At best, some gentle yoga classes can keep you fit while you heal from your tummy tuck procedure.
When choosing a plastic surgeon, make sure to ask how long you can expect to heal and fully recover after your tummy tuck procedure. An honest assessment can help you plan around the recovery period and go about as normally as you would.
It could take up to six months for a tummy tuck wound to heal, so be prepared. Learn how to clean and remove gauze from a wound properly so it won’t get infected and take longer to heal.
Your doctor should give you instructions and be ready to see you in case of signs of infection or something that seems off.