Types of Tummy Tucks and the Benefits of Dr. Salazar’s BellaButton Technique

In cosmetic surgery, the tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a transformative procedure for individuals seeking to enhance their abdominal profile and body contours. This surgery is designed to remove excess skin and fat while tightening underlying muscles, resulting in a firmer and more toned midsection. It is particularly beneficial for those who have experienced significant weight loss or pregnancy, which often leads to loose, sagging skin and weakened abdominal muscles. By addressing these issues, a tummy tuck can significantly improve the overall appearance and contour of the abdomen, boosting the patient’s confidence and quality of life.

A critical aspect of abdominoplasty is the creation of a natural-looking belly button. The procedure involves meticulous techniques to ensure the belly button maintains its natural position and appearance, avoiding signs that might reveal surgical intervention. Proper belly button repositioning and scar management are essential to achieve a natural and aesthetically pleasing result.

Understanding the different types of tummy tuck procedures and their benefits is crucial for prospective patients. This blog will explore the various techniques and their advantages, helping you make informed decisions about your cosmetic surgery options. You can also watch my recent BellaButton webinar “on demand” by clicking here.

Types of Tummy Tuck Procedures

The tummy tuck procedure has several variations, each designed to address specific patient needs.

• The mini abdominoplasty, for example, involves a shorter incision, making it suitable for patients with minimal excess skin and no significant muscle separation. This less invasive procedure focuses on the lower abdomen and requires a shorter recovery time.

• In contrast, the standard abdominoplasty involves a more extensive incision from one hip to the other. This approach allows for removing more skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles. It is ideal for patients with moderate to severe skin laxity and muscle separation.

• An extended abdominoplasty is an option for those needing to remove more extensive skin and fat. This procedure extends the incision around the flanks and sometimes to the lower back, addressing excess skin and fat in these areas. It is particularly beneficial for patients who have undergone massive weight loss, ensuring a more balanced contour.

• The most extensive tummy tuck is the fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty, which includes both a horizontal and a vertical incision. This technique is reserved for patients with significant skin laxity, often due to substantial weight loss. While it results in more scarring, the benefits in terms of skin removal and contour improvement are significant.

A critical aspect of the tummy tuck is the repair of the abdominal muscles. Aging, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy can cause the fascia, the connective tissue covering the muscles, to become lax, leading to muscle separation and a protruding abdomen. During the procedure, the surgeon sutures the muscles back together, creating a tighter and more supportive abdominal wall. This repair enhances the abdomen’s appearance and improves core strength and stability, contributing to better posture and overall physical function.

But What About the Belly Button?

The treatment of the belly button is another unique aspect of the tummy tuck. Contrary to some misconceptions, the belly button is not removed or replaced. Instead, the skin and tissues around it are repositioned to maintain a natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance. The surgeon creates a new opening, or window, in the tightened abdominal skin for the belly button, ensuring it remains in a central and anatomically correct position. This meticulous attention to detail is crucial for achieving a natural-looking result.

The technique I use to create a natural-looking belly button is called the “BellaButton” and involves several key steps. 

• The incision around the belly button is not circular, helping to avoid the formation of a perfectly round scar (which looks unnatural). Instead, the incision I create provides a more natural shape. 
• Additionally, the belly button is anchored from its lower aspect to ensure it is pulled inward, creating an “innie” rather than an “outie.” The sutures used are half-buried and placed inside the skin to avoid the appearance of a railroad track around the belly button. This technique results in a more discreet and natural-looking belly button.

Benefits and Techniques of the BellaButton Procedure

The meticulous approach of the BellaButton technique offers significant benefits. Patients can confidently wear two-piece bathing suits, as their belly buttons appear natural and match their new body profile. Minimal scarring enhances the overall aesthetic outcome, increasing patient satisfaction. This technique benefits both men and women, addressing issues like hernias or excess skin that cause an “outie” belly button. 

These before and after photos demonstrate the BellaButton technique’s effectiveness. Unlike traditional methods that often result in a round, small belly button with visible scars, this technique creates a more natural appearance. Excess skin is removed, the waist is accentuated, and the belly button is discreetly tucked in, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing outcome.

During an abdominoplasty, I make an incision within the bikini line, lift the skin and fat, and create a new belly button opening. This process requires meticulous planning to ensure the belly button appears natural and is centrally located. Challenges arise when the belly button is not aligned with the body’s midline or needs revision due to a previous scar. In such cases, I must adjust its position to achieve a symmetrical appearance, which is crucial for a natural-looking belly button that complements the overall body contour.

The complexity increases with patients who have undergone previous abdominoplasty procedures. Limited excess skin can make it challenging to achieve the desired pull and eliminate the previous buttonhole. We must balance creating a natural-looking belly button with minimizing additional scarring. This requires a thorough understanding of the patient’s anatomy and the ability to customize the surgical approach. If you had a previous tummy tuck and are wondering if your belly button is a “candidate” for the BellaButton, feel free to book a consultation with me.

Scar Management

Scar management is critical in abdominoplasty, especially for belly button repositioning. Scars can significantly impact patient satisfaction. As plastic surgeons, we must use techniques that minimize scarring and promote optimal healing, such as non-dissolving sutures in cosmetically sensitive areas. By carefully selecting suture types and their placement, aesthetic results are enhanced, and ensures that scars are less noticeable over time.

Abdominoplasty Scar Healing Tips

The healing process after an abdominoplasty is gradual, with significant improvements generally observed within three to four months. During this time, the scar undergoes remodeling, with collagen playing a key role in its maturation. Patients are encouraged to be patient and allow natural healing, as the scar’s final appearance may not be evident until six months to a year post-surgery. Proper post-operative care, including removing non-dissolving sutures, is essential to minimize scarring and achieve the best possible outcome.*

The initial phase of scar management starts with the surgical technique. Surgeons at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre (LJCSC) use various methods to reduce tension on the skin, which is crucial for minimizing prominent scarring. By employing multiple layers of sutures, the tension on the topmost skin layer is significantly decreased, resulting in a finer, less noticeable scar. Applying a specialized tape that insulates the scar further reduces tension and protects the wound during the early stages of healing. This tape is typically left in place for 21 days, during which patients should avoid any interventions that might disrupt the healing process.

After the initial 21-day period, patients can begin more active scar management techniques. We use specialized scar creams and silicone sheets designed to keep the scar hydrated and protected, significantly improving its appearance over time. When the time is right, massaging the scar is another critical step; it helps to break down scar tissue and promote a flatter, more even scar. Patients are advised to massage the scar once or twice daily, starting around three weeks post-surgery, to ensure the best possible outcome.

In addition to topical treatments and massage, advanced techniques like nanofat injections and light therapy can further enhance the healing process. Nanofat injections, which use the patient’s own processed fat rich in regenerative factors, improve the appearance of the scar. Light therapy, including laser treatments, accelerates healing and improves the overall texture and color of the scar. These treatments are offered in the practice’s medspa and can be customized to meet each patient’s needs.

*Want to learn more about scars? Check out this blog post.

In Summary

The tummy tuck procedure offers a highly effective solution for individuals looking to enhance the appearance of their abdomen. By removing excess skin and fat, tightening abdominal muscles, and repositioning the belly button, patients can significantly improve the contour of their midsection. Choosing between mini, standard, extended, or fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty allows for tailored results that boost self-esteem and overall well-being. Consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon is essential to determine the best approach for each individual’s aesthetic goals. 

The technique for creating a natural-looking belly button, such as the BellaButton method that I use, is a critical component of the procedure, ensuring patient satisfaction and reducing visible signs of surgery. Effective scar management and a deep understanding of patient anatomy are crucial for achieving optimal results. The journey to a smoother, firmer abdomen is a collaborative effort requiring surgical expertise and patient commitment to post-operative care. With proper attention and advanced techniques, the impact of surgical scars can be minimized, leading to a more confident post-surgical experience.