If you’re considering a tummy tuck to tighten up your midsection, you’ve probably asked the question almost every patient asks:
“What is my belly button going to look like?”
As Dr. Hector Salazar explains on The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast, the belly button can make or break your result.
“The belly button is a concern for patients after surgery. ‘How is my belly button going to look and is it going to look natural? Is it going to be a giveaway that I had surgery?’ And that is something that we realize and we give it the importance that it deserves.”
Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD
That concern is exactly why he developed his signature BellaButton technique: an upgraded approach to belly button reconstruction during a La Jolla tummy tuck.
To better understand the precision and planning that go into a BellaButton tummy tuck, listen to the full podcast episode with Dr. Salazar:
Understanding the Traditional Tummy Tuck Belly Button
During a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), there are two primary incisions: one low on the abdomen and one around the belly button.
Your belly button isn’t just sitting on top of the skin. It has a stalk that stays attached to your abdominal wall. During surgery, the surrounding skin is lifted, tightened, and removed, but your original belly button stays connected.
As Dr. Salazar puts it:
“The belly button that a person will have after a tummy tuck is their own belly button. It’s not a new one; it’s their own.”
Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD
Once excess skin is removed, a new opening must be created for that belly button to come into view, and that’s where technique matters most.
What Makes the BellaButton Tummy Tuck Different?
With many traditional tummy tucks, the belly button can appear circular, flat, or surrounded by visible scarring. Those are the telltale signs people fear that are easily spotted from down the beach. Dr. Salazar takes a different approach.
“You want to have as natural of a belly button as you can have, so it’s not a giveaway.”
Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD
Here’s how the BellaButton stands out:
- The new belly button opening is never a perfect circle
- Strategic micro-incisions are made to create a natural contour
- The belly button is designed as an innie, not an outie
- Sutures are placed internally, not stitched visibly on the surface
Instead of using dissolving sutures that can trigger more inflammation, Dr. Salazar removes certain stitches manually to minimize scarring and improve healing. This gives you a softer, more natural belly button after tummy tuck, without the white circular scar that gives away that you had surgery.
Why the Belly Button Is the Most Important Part of Tummy Tuck Results
The abdomen may be flatter and tighter, but the eye naturally goes to the navel. Even subtle differences dramatically impact overall tummy tuck results.
In striving for more natural results, Dr. Salazar found himself refining one critical step again and again.
“We were dedicating more and more time during an abdominoplasty to do a meticulously reconstructed new window for the belly button.”
Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD
That extra time is now standard. BellaButton is included in his customized La Jolla tummy tuck procedures.
Before and After Tummy Tuck: See the BellaButton Difference
Concepts are helpful, but results speak louder. Check out some of Dr. Salazar’s natural tummy tuck results:
When reviewing before and after tummy tuck photos, pay special attention to:
- Shape of the belly button
- Depth and shadowing
- Scar visibility
- Overall natural appearance
A truly natural belly button after tummy tuck should blend seamlessly into the abdomen.
How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost in San Diego?
At La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, most tummy tuck procedures range between $17,000-$20,500, based on your unique goals. If you get a tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover, you can expect to pay between $23,000–$42,000, depending on the complexity of your surgery.
With PatientFi, you can break that into manageable payments, sometimes as low as $338 per month for qualified applicants.
When evaluating tummy tuck cost, remember that surgical detail and refinement matter. A highly experienced La Jolla plastic surgeon who prioritizes precision can completely change how your results look.
During your consultation, you’ll discuss:
- Recovery timeline
- Surgical plan
- Expected tummy tuck results with real patient photos
An Upgrade to the Traditional Tummy Tuck
The name says it all. Bella in Italian means beautiful.
BellaButton is a refined tummy tuck technique focused on creating a more natural, beautifully shaped belly button.
If you’re considering a San Diego tummy tuck, request a consultation with Dr. Salazar to learn more about how the BellaButton technique can give you your dream tummy tuck results. Because sometimes, it’s the smallest detail that makes the biggest difference.
