Belly button correction / correction belly button
In many cultures and world views, the belly button is the center of the body (navel or umbilicus). The belly button contributes significantly to the aesthetics of the belly. For many, the belly button is even an erogenous zone. Fashion trends such as hipsters and crop tops as well as belly button piercings draw everyone’s attention to the belly button. Every navel is as unique as a fingerprint. Navels differ in position, shape, size and depth. Common navel shapes are oval, round or T-shaped. A skin fold at the upper edge of the navel is perceived as very attractive.
How is a belly button created?
One to three minutes after birth, the vessels of the umbilical cord narrow. At the transition from the umbilical cord to the abdominal skin, an immune reaction occurs after birth. The stump of the umbilical cord falls off within five to fifteen days. The ring-shaped entrance of the umbilical cord through the abdominal wall contracts. Wound healing leaves behind a unique natural scar, the navel, also known as the umbilical anulus.
How does a belly button change over the years?
Belly buttons are barely a few millimetres deep at a young age. At a young age, belly buttons have an elongated shape. The diameter of the navel varies from fifteen to twenty millimetres. The body weight, pregnancies and abdominal wall hernia can influence the appearance. With increasing age or body weight, the belly button shape becomes oval across and the depth of the belly button increases. After pregnancy, the navel can protrude.
What navel malformations are there?
Differences in the size of the umbilical cord and the healing process after cutting the cord can lead to a large navel. A broad, flat navel is sometimes referred to as an amnion navel. A long, bulging stump of the belly button is also known as the meat navel. A meatbill must not be confused with an umbilical hernia. If the opening of the umbilical cord is not firmly closed, a so-called umbilical hernia can occur. Tissues from the abdominal cavity can get caught in it.
What is a belly button correction – belly button surgery?
The aim of a navel correction is a harmonious, natural looking and aesthetically pleasing navel. In technical terminology, this is called umbilical plastic surgery. Shape and size are corrected in such a way that the scars are hardly visible inside the umbilicus.
Which correction possibilities of the navel do we offer?
In order to achieve the best possible result, the various techniques can be combined.
Remove piercing hole
Several reasons can lead to the fact that piercing holes do not grow over. Over the months a channel forms around the jewellery, which is lined with scar tissue or skin cells. The hole can expand through heavy jewelry or much movement. Then the hole remains, even if the navel piercing is no longer worn. Disturbing and conspicuous holes can be replaced by an inconspicuous scar.
Piercing scars remove
Navel piercings often heal slowly. The longer the inflammatory stimulus lasts, the more scar tissue forms. Dark, bulging scars can develop. With a certain predisposition, proliferating scars can also develop. A flat scar can be replaced by a fine and cleverly hidden scar.
Correction of a torn out umbilical piercing
Umbilical jewellery can get caught in clothing. With chains or pendants the risk is large that with a careless movement at the Piercing is pulled. Particularly superficially stung piercings can quickly tear out. To restore a beautiful belly button, it is not enough to sew the torn tissue. For a beautiful form and hardly visible scar the loosening and sensitive shifting of the belly skin as well as a fine skin suture is necessary.
Reduction of the belly button
After pregnancy or weight loss, the stretched tissue often no longer takes on its original shape. To correct this, excess skin is removed and the surrounding abdominal wall is tightened.
Retraction of the navel
Behind a bulging navel, a meat-bill or an umbilical hernia can hide itself. Through palpation and an ultrasound examination it can be determined whether there is a weakness of the abdominal wall. At the weak spot, tissue from the abdominal cavity can protrude. During correction, the muscle layers are sewn together and the navel is turned inwards. Larger fractures are reinforced with a net.
How is a belly button correction performed?
Every operation is thoroughly prepared in the CenterPlast. During the consultation, the specialist will discuss all details with you. In order to guarantee the highest possible degree of safety, all safety measures are checked several times before the operation. On the day of the operation, the surgeon will make sure that all your questions have been answered.
You will then be taken to the operating room. The lying surface in the operating theatre is equipped with a special multi-layer foam core mattress with memory effect. Due to your body weight and your body temperature, you sink in a little. This ensures excellent positioning comfort and optimum patient safety. Light background music contributes to your relaxation. If you wish, you can also watch movies or your favourite series with virtual reality glasses. This is not only entertaining, the distraction also demonstrably leads to less sensitivity to pain.
Dr. Santos Stahl or PD Dr. Stahl transfer the previously discussed operation plan to the abdominal skin with a special pen. The surgeon injects the tissue with a tumescent solution. The tumescent technique prevents the formation of bruises and enables gentle surgery. The surgeon wears special magnifying glasses for precise work. After the removal of excess tissue or scar tissue, the abdominal skin is carefully loosened while protecting the blood vessels. The tissue is moved with fine sutures and the retraction of the navel is reshaped. Finally, the wound is treated with a plaster.
Thanks to a long-acting anaesthetic, you will hardly need any painkillers on the day of the operation. Before you go home, the behavioural measures will be discussed with you. Appointments will be made to monitor wound healing and your well-being. You will receive a report containing the surgeon’s recommendations for speeding up and supporting the healing process. The surgeon can be contacted at any time after the operation via his personal telephone number.
How can you prepare for a belly button surgery?
In smokers, wound healing is delayed and cosmetic results can be significantly worse. Therefore, if possible, refrain from smoking two weeks before to four weeks after the planned procedure. In the event of an unforeseen acute illness, it is your safety to postpone the procedure. At the time of the operation you should be free of infection, otherwise you expose yourself to incalculable and possibly consequential risks. Blood-thinning medication, vitamins and dietary supplements should be avoided two weeks before the operation in consultation with your doctor. Take a shower or bath as you wish in the morning before the operation. You can help reduce the risk of infection by cleaning your navel with a disinfectant soap (for example HiBiScrub® Plus from Mölnlycke, Octenisan® Wash Lotion from Schülke, Prontoderm® Shower Gel from B.Braun). It is best to use a cotton swab for this purpose.
What do you have to consider after belly button correction?
- Observe the agreed dates for checking the wound and your well-being.
- With a shower patch you can shower the day after the operation. Make sure that no moisture remains on the wound. Before putting on clothing, it is important that the skin is completely dry.
- Compliance with the rules of hygiene greatly ensures the outcome of the operation. Hands should be washed with liquid soap (for a duration of 30 seconds) at regular intervals. Also, avoid contact with animals.
- Avoid bending over, lifting heavy loads, swimming, saunas and sporting activities for three weeks. If swelling still exists, prolonged protection may be advisable.
- The following preparations have proven to be effective in treating mild pain in the first two to three days: Arnica (homeopathic, over-the-counter) twice five globules daily, paracetamol 500mg tablets (over-the-counter) if required, at most four times daily.
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The author
“We provide you with extensive expert knowledge so that we can work with you to select the best possible treatment path.”
Dr. med. Stéphane steel is the former director of the Clinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery / Hand Surgery at the Lüdenscheid Clinic. Dr. Stahl studied medicine at the Universities of Freiburg and Berlin. In 2011 he passed the European and 2012 the German specialist examination for plastic and aesthetic surgery. Further specialist qualifications and additional qualifications followed (including quality management, medical didactics, physical therapy, emergency medicine, laser protection officers, hand surgery) as well as prizes and awards. In 2015 he completed his habilitation in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Tübingen. He is an experienced microsurgeon, a sought-after expert and a regular speaker at specialist congresses. After a multi-stage selection process, Stéphane Stahl became a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), one of the world’s largest and most influential specialist societies for aesthetic surgery. His authorship includes numerous articles in respected peer review journals and standard surgical textbooks.