Belly Button Surgery, or Umbilicoplasty, is a procedure which changes the appearance or shape of the belly button. It can be performed alone or as part of other surgery such as a tummy tuck or body lift.
What is an umbilicoplasty?
An umbilicoplasty, also called cosmetic navel surgery, belly button revision or navel reshaping, is a surgical procedure which alters the shape, position or size of your belly button (umbilicus). One of the commonest procedures requested is to invert a belly button that sticks out. Some people are born with a navel that sticks out, while others find it happens later in life when they’ve gained weight or become pregnant. Although this is thought of as a cosmetic procedure, for those people who experience soreness and discomfort with an outward belly button it can be beneficial for their health and wellbeing too. Weight gain can also make a belly button stretch and flatten, while weight loss can mean it becomes lost in excess, wrinkled skin. Hernias can also cause a belly button to change shape or position. Although an umbilicoplasty is permanent, further dramatic changes in weight or muscle tone, or further pregnancies, may alter the shape and position of your navel again.
What is involved in an umbilicoplasty?
Navel reshaping and repositioning usually takes around an hour and is normally done under a local anaesthetic and sedation. If only the shape of the belly button is changing, then the surgeon will make the incisions within the belly button, meaning that there will be no visible scars. If your navel needs repositioning, however, the surgeon will have to cut the skin around it. Once the incisions are stitched, usually with soluble stitches, a dressing will be put over your navel. After an umbilicoplasty, normally you will be able to go home after a few hours in recovery.
What are the risks of an umbilicoplasty?
Umbilicoplasty is a relatively simple and common procedure, so complications are rare. However, along with the risks of sedation, there is a risk of bleeding, infection, necrosis (tissue death), pigmentation changes and loss of sensation. There’s also a chance that the cosmetic result being unsatisfactory (e.g. an asymmetrical belly button).
How long will my umbilicoplasty recovery be?
It’s usual to have some short-lived bruising and swelling after an umbilicoplasty, but after a day of rest you should be able to manage light activities. You shouldn’t require more than a week off work unless your role is strenuous or involves heavy lifting.
How much will an umbilicoplasty cost?
The price of cosmetic navel surgery ranges from £800 to £1500.
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