What is umbilicoplasty?

Posted on 31. Jul, 2012 by CSG in Cosmetic Imperfections

English: The final sutures securing the umbilicus (also known as "belly button") into its new position after an abdominoplasty. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These days there’s no body part too big or small, too major or minor, to be treated with cosmetic surgery. One type of surgery that has grown in popularity in the western world over the past few years is umbilicoplasty, a procedure which corrects the appearance of a person’s belly button.

We’ve all got one, but is yours an innie? An outie? Somewhere between the two? While the majority of people tend to have the former, it’s also quite common to have the latter. And although many people think their outie is cute, for others it can be source of big embarrassment. While few of us would be brave enough to wear crop tops or short shirts for work, it’s normal to wear this type of attire at other times in our day, such as when we’re working out, daring to bare on the beach or wearing something racy and revealing for a night out.

Having what you believe to be an unattractive belly button could even knock your sexual confidence and hamper your attempts to build intimate relationships with people. Ultimately, it’s amazing how such a small thing can have a big effect on confidence and self-worth.

How does umbilicoplasty work?
To understand how to treat an outie belly button, it’s first important to know how your naval ends up looking this way in the first place. An outie is actually small umbilical hernia, a bodily feature caused at birth or as a result of other unrelated surgery, such as a Caesarean section during childbirth. Pregnancy, weight gain and weight loss can also be common causes of having an outie belly button.

Typically, the operation involves making a small incision on the surface of the belly button to make the cavern slightly smaller. Carrying out the operation on this part of the naval usually means there are no scars left behind. The procedure can last anything between 30 minutes and three hours, usually under local anaesthetic.

Although umbilicoplasty can be carried out as a stand-alone procedure, there’s also the option to include it with other treatments such as a tummy tuck or lower body lift. Once the surgery is complete, the recovery time usually takes around a week or so, although it’s possible to return to your normal daily routine straight away. Patients usually take painkillers for the first few days and are advised to contact their surgeon if they notice any bleeding or signs of infection.