The following post from our forum is from a woman who had a tummy tuck and after 3 months her belly button seems to be shrinking. She is wondering what to do.

Date: 01/18/2011 Submitted by: AnastasiaTummy Tuck Belly Button Is Shrinking

My belly button is shrinking and looking smaller everyday, actually it looks like its going to close altogether, I had my Tummy Tuck 3 months ago, I’m afraid its not going to be normal looking, should I put something in it so it stays opened and and normal looking like an earing in the ear hole?

RESPONSE

Date: 01/26/2011 Submitted by: Tanner

Anastasia,

I had that same problem and concern with my post tummy tuck belly button. I tried tucking in and taping wadded pieces of tissue and other small round objects into my belly button in order to pry it open into the normal shape of a belly button. Unfortunately the objects would not stay in place and kept “popping out” when I moved about. I was also a little concerned of doing some type of permanent damage. I gave up on that idea rather quickly.

I did ask my surgeon about it a few times. At first he said it should open up in time (as if he knew). Later, when it did not open up he said he could correct it surgically. I said no thanks.

The only thing I could recommend is going back to your surgeon and asking him/her about the situation.

Note – If you are like me (and probably anyone who has had a tummy tuck) with all you have gone through, you are probably much more sensitive to your belly button’s appearance than other’s are. It may not be as bad as you think. You might want ask your family and friends for their opinion.

Good luck.

Tanner