The belly button, also known as the navel or umbilicus, is a visible reminder of our earliest connection to our mothers. It is essentially a scar, marking the point where the umbilical cord once attached, providing nutrients and oxygen during development. While it serves no physiological purpose after birth, its appearance can vary significantly among individuals. For some, the prospect of removing or altering this anatomical feature becomes a serious consideration, and it is indeed possible to undergo surgical procedures to achieve this.
Reasons for Considering Removal
Individuals consider belly button removal or alteration for various reasons. Medically, chronic infections, cysts, or painful scar tissue around the navel can prompt surgical intervention. Conditions like umbilical hernias, where part of the intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall, may also require surgery. Additionally, some individuals with diastasis recti, a separation of abdominal muscles, might find their umbilicus displaced or uncomfortable.
Cosmetically, dissatisfaction with the appearance of the belly button is a frequent motivation. Factors such as significant weight changes, pregnancy, or damage from navel piercings can alter the shape and size of the umbilicus. Some individuals seek a completely flat abdominal appearance, while others might consider it as part of broader body contouring or gender affirmation procedures.
The Surgical Procedure
Surgical alteration or removal of the belly button is typically performed through procedures like umbilicoplasty or as part of a larger abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck. Umbilicoplasty specifically focuses on reshaping or resizing the navel, often performed under local or general anesthesia and usually completed within one to two hours. During this procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions, often within the belly button itself, to remove excess skin or tissue and then sutures the area to achieve the desired shape.
When complete removal is the goal, or if it is part of an abdominoplasty, the approach changes. In a full abdominoplasty, the skin of the abdomen is lifted, and an incision is made around the belly button to free it from the surrounding skin, though it generally remains attached to its underlying stalk. The excess abdominal skin is then tightened and removed, and a new opening is created for the belly button, which is brought through and sutured into place. If the navel is fully removed, the area will be closed, resulting in a flat surface with a linear scar.
What Happens After Removal
Following belly button removal or significant alteration, a recovery process and long-term appearance can be expected. Immediately after surgery, discomfort, pain, and swelling around the surgical site are common, managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers. Compression garments may be recommended to help reduce swelling and support healing tissues. Patients are advised to keep the area clean and dry, avoiding strenuous activities for several weeks.
If the belly button has been completely removed, the resulting scar will fade over time but remain a permanent mark. For those who undergo reshaping, the new navel will gradually settle into its final appearance over several months as swelling subsides. Potential complications include infection, excessive bleeding, scarring, or fluid accumulation. Numbness in the area may also occur, which often improves but can sometimes be permanent. This surgical change is generally irreversible, requiring thorough consideration and consultation with a qualified surgeon.