Belly Button Recreation in Tummy Tuck Surgery in Newport Beach, Orange County

The belly button, also known as the navel or umbilicus, is a scar located in the lower mid-section of the abdomen. This scar is due to the excision of one's umbilical cord at birth. The navel has different shapes and sizes, and some are considered aesthetically more appealing than others. According to several studies, an elliptical and vertically oriented belly button is considered to be the most attractive. This is the shape and form that is emulated during our tummy tuck procedures.

The different types of belly button shapes are concave shaped, vertically shaped, the "outty,", horizontally shaped, round shaped, and off-centered. The concave shaped belly button goes inward and is bowl-shaped. The vertical shaped belly button is oblong but runs up and down along the midline of the abdomen. The "outty" belly button protrudes outward. Horizontal shaped belly buttons are oblong and spread out in a sideways direction on the abdomen. Some protrude more than others do. The round shaped belly button appears to be a symmetrical circle. The off-centered belly button just indicates that it does not fall evenly on the midline of the abdomen.

The size of navel can change throughout ones life. The most substantial reasons for a belly button to change in appearance is due to weight loss, weight gain, aging and pregnancy. Weight loss and weight gain will change the diameter of your belly button. When one gains weight the diameter of the belly button may stretch out, and as a person loses weight, the diameter may diminish in size. Some women experience major changes in their belly button during and after pregnancy. The diameter of the navel can increases as the abdomen is stretched out during pregnancy. In others with concaved belly buttons, the navel may pop out and turn into an "outty". Also, aging can dramatically change the shape of a navel. As one ages their belly button may appear to be lower and stretched out in comparison to how it looked when their skin was firmer.

Fortunately, if one isn't fond of the appearance of their belly button, there are surgical options to alter its shape. The procedure is called an umbilicalplasty and can be performed by your plastic surgeon.