The navel, medically known as the umbilicus, is a unique anatomical feature present in every person, marking the spot where the umbilical cord once connected the fetus to the mother. It is fundamentally a scar, formed when the cord is cut and the remaining stump shrivels and falls off shortly after birth. This process creates a wide variety of shapes and sizes. For many individuals, their naturally occurring navel shape does not align with their aesthetic preferences, leading to a growing interest in methods to alter its appearance. Whether the goal is to achieve a more recessed “innie” or to correct a protruding or misshapen form, several medical and lifestyle factors can influence the navel’s contour.
What Determines the Shape of the Navel
The final contour of the navel is primarily dictated by the natural healing process of the umbilical cord stump and the underlying structure of the abdominal wall. The way the skin and scar tissue fuse to the fascia—the connective tissue layer beneath the fat—determines whether the navel recesses inward or protrudes outward. Approximately 90% of people have an “innie,” a concave depression created when the scar tissue pulls inward as it heals.
The less common “outie” occurs when the remaining scar tissue pushes outward instead of sinking inward, sometimes due to a variation in how the abdominal wall closed. Factors like the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer and the tension of the abdominal muscles around the umbilical ring also influence the navel’s depth and orientation. Variations in fat distribution can create common shapes like the deep hollow, the horizontal ellipse, or the vertically oriented navel.
Surgical Options for Permanent Reshaping
For permanent changes to the navel’s shape and size, the surgical procedure known as umbilicoplasty offers a precise solution. It is designed to reshape the navel, whether converting a protruding “outie” into a recessed “innie,” reducing a stretched opening, or revising an existing scar. Umbilicoplasty is often performed using local anesthesia and involves making a small incision inside or around the existing navel to access the underlying tissue.
A primary goal of the surgery is often to achieve a smaller, vertically oriented navel. The surgeon may remove excess skin and scar tissue, using internal suturing to anchor the tissue deeper to the abdominal fascia. This internal tethering helps create the desired concave depression and vertical orientation. For those with a protruding navel, the procedure may first involve correcting a small umbilical hernia, a common cause of the “outie” appearance, before reshaping the skin.
Umbilicoplasty is frequently performed simultaneously with abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck. During an abdominoplasty, the abdominal skin flap is lifted and tightened, and the navel is repositioned through a newly created opening. In this combined approach, the surgeon adjusts the navel’s position and shape to align with the newly contoured abdomen. Different surgical techniques, such as various flap designs or specific incision patterns like the half-moon or vertical ellipse, are employed depending on the patient’s anatomy and the desired final appearance.
Non-Surgical Methods and Temporary Changes
While surgery offers the most reliable path to permanent reshaping, several non-surgical factors can temporarily or subtly alter the navel’s appearance. Significant changes in body composition, such as weight loss or gain, affect the surrounding skin tension and the depth of the navel. For example, losing a large amount of abdominal fat may cause a deep navel to become shallower, while gaining weight can stretch the skin, sometimes changing a recessed “innie” into a flatter or slightly protruding form.
Pregnancy is a common non-surgical event that temporarily alters the navel’s shape, as the expanding uterus places pressure on the abdominal wall. An “innie” may flatten or even protrude as an “outie” due to internal pressure and skin stretching. After childbirth, the navel typically reverts to its original shape, though it may appear slightly wider or less vertical than before.
An “outie” caused by a small, reducible umbilical hernia occurs when fat or intestine protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal wall. Treating this underlying issue changes the navel’s outward appearance, even though definitive hernia correction is surgical. Navel piercings can also create temporary distortion or, if removed, leave behind stretched or scarred tissue that changes the overall contour.
Risks, Recovery, and Candidacy
As with any surgical procedure, umbilicoplasty carries risks, including the potential for infection at the incision site, minor bleeding, and delayed wound healing. There is also a risk of developing a noticeable scar or experiencing asymmetry in the final shape, sometimes requiring a secondary procedure. Patients should discuss pre-existing conditions, such as a history of hypertrophic or keloid scarring, with their surgeon, as these factors affect the aesthetic outcome.
The recovery period for a standalone umbilicoplasty is brief. Most patients experience minor discomfort manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Individuals can return to work or normal daily routines within one to two days following the procedure. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or activities that strain the abdominal core should be avoided for a few weeks to ensure proper healing.
Ideal candidates for umbilicoplasty are healthy individuals who are close to their ideal body weight and maintain realistic expectations. Candidates must not have active skin infections around the navel and should be committed to following all post-operative care instructions. Since a future pregnancy can undo the results of the surgery by stretching the skin and underlying tissues, surgeons often recommend that women postpone the procedure until they do not plan to have more children.