Tummy Tuck Belly Button Revision: What to Do If You’re Unhappy with the Result
By Stephen E. Metzinger, MD, MSPH, FACS, triple board-certified plastic surgeon, Aesthetic Surgical Associates, Metairie, LA. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer: In a full tummy tuck your belly button stays attached to its own stalk underneath; the skin around it is tightened and a new opening is made so the belly button sits in the right place on the new, flatter abdomen. It looks swollen and may scab for the first weeks, settles over about 3 months, and the scar keeps fading for up to a year. A revision, if ever needed, waits at least 6 months.
Key takeaways
- You do not get a “new” belly button in a full tummy tuck; your own is repositioned through a small circular incision.
- A natural result is small, vertically oval and slightly hooded, without a visible round scar.
- Most patients take about 2 weeks off work and wear a compression binder for 4–6 weeks.
- Numbness around the belly button can last months; full healing takes up to a year.
Before & after: tummy tuck at Aesthetic Surgical Associates
See belly button results in Dr. Metzinger’s own patients in our tummy tuck before and after gallery.
Dr. Metzinger’s own patients. Individual results vary.
What happens to the belly button during a tummy tuck?
The belly button itself is not moved; the skin around it is. During a full abdominoplasty the surgeon frees the belly button from the surrounding skin, tightens the abdominal muscles, pulls the upper skin down and removes the excess. A new opening is then made in the tightened skin at the right height, and the belly button is brought through it and stitched in place. In a mini tummy tuck the belly button is usually left alone.
What does a good tummy tuck belly button look like?
A natural belly button is small, sits at about hip-bone level, is vertically oval or slightly T-shaped, and has a little hooding at the top with the scar hidden inside the rim. Signs of an unnatural result are a large perfectly round opening, a visible ring scar, or a belly button that sits too high or too low.
Tummy tuck belly button healing stages
| Time after surgery | What is normal |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Swelling, some bruising, small scabs or crusting at the rim, mild drainage |
| Weeks 2–3 | Scabs fall off; back to desk work around day 14 |
| Weeks 4–6 | Binder continues; swelling going down; no heavy lifting for 6 weeks |
| Month 3 | Shape settles; scar pink but flattening |
| Months 6–12 | Scar fades; sensation returns; final shape visible |
How do I care for my belly button after a tummy tuck?
- Keep it clean and dry: follow your cleaning instructions; pat dry after showering.
- Do not pick scabs or crusts; let them come off on their own.
- Wear the binder as directed; it controls swelling around the belly button too.
- No soaking in baths, pools or hot tubs until you are cleared.
- Do not smoke or vape; nicotine reduces blood flow to the belly button skin and is the main cause of healing problems there.
What belly button problems are possible?
Most belly buttons heal without trouble. Less common issues are delayed healing or a small area of skin loss at the rim, an infection, a widened or raised scar, or a belly button that narrows (stenosis) as it heals. Call the office if you see spreading redness, pus, a bad smell, dark or black skin at the rim, or a fever.
Can a tummy tuck belly button be revised?
Yes. Small belly button revisions are usually done under local anesthesia or light sedation, but only after the tissue has fully settled, at least 6 months after surgery. Dr. Metzinger examines the shape, scar and position before recommending one.
Frequently asked questions
Do you get a new belly button with a tummy tuck?
No. In a full tummy tuck your own belly button is kept and brought through a new opening in the tightened skin.
Why is my belly button swollen or hard after a tummy tuck?
Swelling and firmness around the belly button are normal for several weeks and settle with the binder and time.
Is it normal for my belly button to smell or crust after a tummy tuck?
Some crusting is normal in the first two weeks. A bad smell, pus or spreading redness is not; call the office.
How long until my belly button looks normal?
Most patients see a settled shape around 3 months; the scar keeps improving for up to a year.
What does a tummy tuck cost?
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports the national average surgeon’s fee for a tummy tuck; the total also includes anesthesia and facility fees. Your exact price is set at your consultation.
Book a consultation in Metairie
Considering a tummy tuck in Metairie or New Orleans? Read about tummy tuck at Aesthetic Surgical Associates or book a consultation.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Tummy tuck
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Tummy tuck recovery
About the Author
Dr. Stephen E. Metzinger
A Metairie, LA native, Dr. Metzinger is renowned for his exceptional expertise, precision, and dedication to the art and science of plastic surgery. His commitment to delivering transformative results while maintaining the highest standards of patient care has solidified his reputation as a trusted surgeon in the community and beyond.
