Bikini Season Is Here – Is Your Midriff Ready?

You’ve probably heard of liposuction, tummy tucks, perhaps even lower body lifts. But what about “outie” surgery?

Medically known as umbilicoplasty, this is a cosmetic procedure that can turn an “outie” into an “innie.” A belly button might be a fairly insignificant part of one’s anatomy, at least in terms of function. But aesthetics can be a major concern for women, particularly as bikini season arrives. It only makes sense that someone who has done umpteenth crunches to get a washboard stomach would want to show it off, and an “outie” belly button can interfere with this.

Is this the solution to your outie?

But there is a solution. Plastic surgeons are seeing an uptick in requests for belly button surgeries. The fix may depend at least in part on the cause. Many people who have outie belly buttons have had them since early childhood. The belly button is essentially the scar that marks where a fetus is connected to the umbilical cord. Genetics is primarily responsible for determining whether someone has an innie or an outie, although the postnatal care of the umbilical cord can also play a role.

However, it is possible for someone who was previously an innie to become an outie. This can occur due to pregnancy or excessive weight gain. Sometimes, an acquired outie is due to a small umbilical hernia. If this is the case, then the surgeon will fix the hernia and attach it to underlying tissues to create an innie. As an added bonus, umbilicoplasty to fix an underlying hernia might even be covered by insurance.

Considerations for abdominal surgery

If you’re considering any sort of abdominal surgery, it’s important to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience with these procedures. An umbilicoplasty or other abdominal surgery might not be right for everyone; a good plastic surgeon will listen carefully to your concerns and your goals, and design a treatment plan that works for you.

You might find, for example, that you can combine an umbilicoplasty with a tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover. A tummy tuck may be a good option for patients who have concerns about excess skin on the abdominal area. Tummy tucks are particularly ideal for moms who are done growing their families, since pregnancy causes the abdominal muscles to stretch apart. This is a problem that no amount of crunches will fix – but a tummy tuck can. A tummy tuck is often performed along with liposuction to remove stubborn bulges of fat in the area.

Female NYC plastic surgeon

Considering having an umbilicoplasty, tummy tuck, or other plastic surgery in New York City? Schedule a confidential, one-on-one consult with Dr. Preminger in her Manhattan office. Dr. B. Aviva Preminger prides herself on close communication with each patient to design a personalized treatment plan. As a board-certified plastic surgeon and a leader in her field, Dr. Preminger is widely recognized for her dedication to patient care and safety.

Call her Upper East Side office at 212-706-1900 to arrange an appointment to discuss your aesthetic concerns and goals.