Umbilicoplasty

Editors-In-Chief: Martin I. Newman, M.D., FACS, Cleveland Clinic Florida, [mailto:Newmanm@ccf.org]; Michel C. Samson, M.D., FRCSC, FACS [mailto:samsonm1@ccf.org]

Overview
Umbilicoplasty, sometimes referred to as "belly button surgery", is a plastic surgery procedure to modify the appearance of one's navel (or "belly button"). It may be performed as part of a tummy tuck or lower body lift operation, or it may be performed alone.

An umbilicoplasty procedure may last from 30 minutes to 3 hours. It is typically performed under local anesthesia, but the patient may be given a sedative that is administered through an intravenous drip. When done as part of a tummy tuck or lower body lift, general anesthesia is more commonly used. Usually there are no scars, since the incision is usually made inside the cavern of the navel.

Candidates typically choose the surgery because they dislike how their navel looks. Their navel may be as it was from birth, or it may have changed due to unrelated surgery, such as a Caesarean section. Some may have experienced weight gain, weight loss, or pregnancy, causing changes to the shape of the navel. Others may have a protruding navel, which they may wish to change.