Umbilicoplasty

Preface

The umbilicus can also be affected by pregnancies and weight loss and more and more frequently by piercings.

The reason for a protruding umbilicus is frequently a small hernia with mostly fat bulging through a small aperture in the abdominal wall leading to the deformation of the umbilicus. With the umbilicoplasty the shape and size of the umbilicus can be improved and some extra skin around the umbilicus can be removed as well. It is generally easier to make a big umbilicus smaller than a small umbilicus bigger. Similar techniques can be employed to correct scars and skin excesses after piercings.

If a hernia is present, the intervention is slightly more invasive and mainly the postoperative care prolonged since lifting weights more than 5 kg should be prevented for a period of 4-6 weeks. In contrast to most procedures described, the correction of the hernia is covered by health insurances, since it may lead to pain and functional limitations by the protrusion of a part of the intestine. In rare cases, the navel is completely deformed by the hernia, so that it cannot be preserved and has to be removed and then reconstructed with plastic-reconstructive techniques (neoumbilicoplasty).

In most cases of abdominoplasties, the umbilicoplasty is a part of the operation (see abdominoplasty). In this procedure, the umbilicus is mobilized and then reconstructed.

At a Glance

Medical Term: Belly Button Aesthetics, Umbilicoplasty

Type of Anesthesia: Local or general Anesthesia

Surgery time: 1 hour

Length of hospital stay: Outpatient

Aftercare: Special plaster for 1-2 weeks

Back to public: After 2-3 days

Back to work: After 1-2 weeks (depending upon physical strain)

Time of recovery: 4 weeks

Fees: starting at 2.500 CHF

Procedure

Umbilicoplasties can be performed depending on the extent of the planned surgery under local anesthesia (enlargements, size reduction, corrections after piercing) or under general anesthesia (hernia repair, umbilicoplasty with abdominoplasty). Size reduction is in principle an excision of extra umbilical skin and tightening of the skin around the umbilicus, an enlargement a gentle stretching of the skin of the umbilicus, with partial removal of periumbilical skin. Hernia repair consist in a closure of the perforation of the abdominal wall after repositioning of the herniated tissue. Hernia repair can be combined with further corrections of the abdomen.

Recovery

Complications after umbilicoplasty are rare. The first few days after surgery bleeding, infection and wound healing delay may occur as with any surgical procedure.

Postoperative Care

Showering is possible the day after surgery. The first follow-up examination usually takes place one week after the intervention. Stiches can be usually removed at this occasion. The recovery period is prolonged in hernia repair since any rise in pressure in the abdominal cavity (intraabdominal pressure) leading to tension and potential rupture of the hernia repair suture should be prevented. Lifting >5 kg should be prevented for 6 weeks and the compression garment consequently worn during this period. With more restricted interventions (piercing corrections) there is hardly any downtime or other restrictions.

Fees

As with any cosmetic procedure, costs for an umbilicoplasty can vary widely and depend on the extend of the planned procedure, the skin quality, age and so forth. Our fees are based on the exact type and extent of the surgical procedure planned and the chosen form of anesthesia, i.e. general- or local anesthesia.

The fees are preoperatively discussed and agreed with you and can be considered as a flat rate including the surgeons and anesthesia fees, the operation room cost, compression garments and the follow-up consultations. The fees are due before surgery.

In general, most health insurances do not cover cosmetic surgery and umbilicoplasty, except for hernia repair. In selected cases a demand for cost reimbursement by your health insurance can clarify this.

Price for umbilicoplasty: from 2.500 CHF

Book your desired date now without obligation