Will I Still Have A Belly Button?

Yes, you will still have a belly button after tummy tuck surgery. A common misconception about a full tummy tuck procedure is that it involves moving the navel. In fact, the navel never moves during the procedure. Instead, Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Otto Placik drapes skin over the navel and then creates an incision around the navel's position, stitching the skin in place. Dr. Placik can also change the size of the navel if necessary.

Depending on the type of tummy tuck procedure a patient chooses, the skin may not need to be repositioned over the navel. There are several different types of tummy tuck surgery. Each version of the surgery involves different incision types.

• Full tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck is what most people think of when they hear the term. Therefore, it is also known as a "traditional" tummy tuck. The fully tummy tuck addresses issues above and below the navel. It is only a full tummy tuck that requires repositioning skin over the navel. This procedure does require stitching around the navel
• Mini tummy tuck. A "mini" tummy tuck only addresses issues below the navel, and therefore does not involve repositioning skin over it. This procedure does not involve incisions around the navel
• Extended tummy tuck. An extended tummy tuck involves correcting sagging skin and fat deposits along the hips as well as the abdomen. The extended tummy tuck can involve the repositioning of skin over the navel, depending on the needs of the individual patient
• Endoscopic tummy tuck. This procedure is a form of mini tummy tuck that uses specialized equipment to remove fat with minimal post operative scarring. Also like a mini tummy tuck, this procedure does not require an incision around the navel