The belly button, or umbilicus, is a familiar and lifelong part of human anatomy. While often considered unchanging, its appearance can undergo significant alterations. In some specific circumstances, the belly button can even be permanently altered or removed.
Understanding the Belly Button
The belly button is a scar, marking where the umbilical cord connected a developing fetus to its mother’s placenta. This cord delivered oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby. After birth, the cord is cut, and the stump shrivels and falls off, forming the navel. Belly buttons vary in appearance, commonly as “innies” (concave) or “outies” (protruding), both normal variations.
Factors That Alter Belly Button Appearance
Several physiological processes and medical conditions can modify the belly button’s shape or depth. Body weight fluctuations can change its appearance. Substantial weight gain can stretch surrounding skin and fat, making an “innie” shallower or even an “outie.” Weight loss can lead to loose skin, altering the navel’s contour.
Pregnancy is a common cause of temporary belly button changes. As the uterus expands, it exerts pressure on the abdominal wall, causing an “innie” to flatten or protrude. These changes typically revert after childbirth, though some lasting alterations may occur.
Umbilical hernias can distort the belly button’s appearance. This occurs when abdominal tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles near the navel, creating a bulge. Common in infants, hernias can also develop in adults due to increased abdominal pressure, causing the belly button to protrude or appear misshapen.
When a Belly Button Can Truly Be Lost
The belly button can be permanently altered or removed, primarily through surgical interventions. During a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), excess skin and fat are removed, and underlying muscles tightened. While the original belly button remains attached, repositioned skin requires a new opening for the navel. Reshaping or constructing a new umbilicus may be necessary for a natural appearance.
Other complex abdominal surgeries, such as extensive hernia repairs or severe trauma surgeries, can also remove or alter the belly button. Extensive scar tissue from severe burns or injuries across the abdomen can obscure or eliminate the belly button’s distinct features.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While many belly button changes are normal, some symptoms warrant medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare professional if you experience pain, tenderness, or swelling in or around the navel. Any discharge (clear, foul-smelling, or bloody) or new redness should also prompt a medical visit.
A sudden, unexplained change in appearance should be assessed, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. A new lump or bulge near the belly button, particularly if painful or growing when coughing or straining, could indicate a hernia. Medical advice helps determine the cause and ensures appropriate treatment.