The umbilicus, commonly known as the belly button, is a scar that results from the natural detachment of the umbilical cord after birth. This anatomical feature varies widely in appearance from person to person, and many individuals seek ways to alter its shape for aesthetic reasons. The fundamental shape is determined by the underlying structure of the scar tissue and abdominal wall, meaning any desired change must address either temporary external factors or the internal anatomy itself.
What Determines Your Current Belly Button Shape
The ultimate shape of the navel is a consequence of the body’s natural healing process after the umbilical cord is severed. The way the umbilical cord is clamped or cut does not determine whether a person will have an “innie” or an “outie”. Instead, the final contour depends on how the skin and underlying abdominal wall tissue, or fascia, close around the remnant of the umbilical stalk.
An “innie” belly button, the most common form, occurs when the resulting scar tissue pulls the skin inward, creating a depression. Conversely, an “outie” results when scar tissue or a portion of the umbilical stalk protrudes outward. Genetic factors also dictate the overall structure and appearance of the navel. The amount of residual scar tissue and the specific location where the umbilical vessels attach internally contribute to the final configuration.
Non-Surgical Ways to Influence Appearance
While the core anatomical structure remains fixed, several non-surgical factors can significantly alter the appearance of the belly button. Changes in body weight and fat distribution are the most noticeable influences. Increased subcutaneous and visceral fat can deepen an innie, sometimes creating a funnel shape, or cause the surrounding skin to bulge over it.
Significant weight loss, on the other hand, can reveal the underlying shape more clearly, often making the navel appear smaller or flatter. Abdominal skin stretching and contracting during weight fluctuations changes the perceived size and orientation of the umbilicus. The pressure from an expanding uterus during pregnancy is another common cause of temporary change.
This internal pressure frequently pushes an innie outward, temporarily turning it into an outie, usually in the second or third trimester. The skin’s natural elasticity dictates whether the navel returns to its original shape after delivery. Piercings also affect appearance, as the jewelry can temporarily distort the shape or draw attention to the area, but they do not alter the internal scar structure.
An umbilical hernia is a medical condition that changes appearance, causing a portion of abdominal fat or intestine to protrude through the muscle wall, resulting in an outie. While often harmless, a hernia requires medical evaluation and sometimes surgical intervention, distinguishing it from purely cosmetic appearance changes.
Permanent Surgical Options for Reshaping
The only way to achieve a permanent alteration of the anatomical belly button shape is through umbilicoplasty. This cosmetic surgery enhances the appearance of the navel by modifying the skin and underlying tissues. Umbilicoplasty is frequently performed to address aesthetic goals, such as changing a protruding “outie” into a recessed “innie”.
Surgeons also use this procedure to reduce the size of an enlarged navel, correct a stretched or horizontally oriented umbilicus, or remove scarring from a previous piercing. The goal is often to create a more vertically oriented shape, which is considered aesthetically pleasing. The procedure can be done as a standalone operation, often under local anesthesia and sedation, or in conjunction with other body contouring surgeries like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).
During the umbilicoplasty, the surgeon makes small incisions within the natural contours of the belly button to hide any resulting scars. They may remove excess skin and scar tissue, or modify the surrounding tissue to achieve the desired shape. To ensure a lasting “innie” result, the surgeon anchors the new navel shape to the abdominal fascia, providing the necessary depth and contour.
Recovery from the procedure typically involves minor discomfort, swelling, and bruising, with a relatively short downtime. While the surgery is generally minor, standard risks include potential infection, poor scarring, or asymmetry. The procedure offers the most definitive solution for individuals seeking a lasting change to their belly button’s natural form.