The Tummy Tuck Belly Button: New Navel, Healing and Look
Key takeaways
- A full tummy tuck usually repositions the belly button, bringing it out through a new opening, leaving a small scar around it.
- A mini tummy tuck treats only the area below the navel and does not create a new belly-button opening.
- The new navel heals over the first weeks and its final look settles as swelling resolves at around 3 months.
- The small scar around the belly button fades and flattens over about 12 to 18 months, like the main scar.
- Some altered sensation around the belly button is common at first because small nerves are disturbed during surgery.
Published April 27, 2026
A full tummy tuck usually repositions the belly button, keeping it on its internal stalk and bringing it out through a new opening in the tightened skin, which leaves a small scar around the navel. A mini tummy tuck treats only the area below the navel and does not create a new opening1. The new navel heals over the first weeks and its final look settles as swelling resolves at around 3 months.
The belly button was the part of my own result I was most curious and most anxious about, because it is the bit you actually see day to day. So here is the honest picture, checked by a consultant plastic surgeon: how the new navel is made, how it heals, the scar, the sensation, and how it looks. For the full overview of the operation, see what a tummy tuck involves.
How the belly button is repositioned
In a full (standard) abdominoplasty the belly button is brought out through a new opening because the skin around it moves. The surgeon makes a hip-to-hip incision low across the abdomen, lifts the skin all the way to the ribs, repairs the separated muscles, then pulls the skin down and tightens it2.
Because the skin slides down, the navel would be carried out of position, so it is kept attached internally on its stalk and brought out through a fresh opening cut in the repositioned skin. That is why a full tummy tuck leaves a small scar around the belly button as well as the main horizontal one. For how the types differ, see types of tummy tuck.
Why a mini tummy tuck is different
A mini abdominoplasty does not create a new belly-button opening, because it does not move the skin that far. A mini treats only the area below the navel through a shorter, lower incision, often without muscle repair above the navel, and suits limited lower-tummy laxity only3.
Since the skin above the navel is not lifted and repositioned, the belly button stays where it is and no new opening is needed. This is one of the practical differences when choosing between the two operations. For who a mini suits, see the mini tummy tuck.
How the new navel heals and looks
The new navel heals over the first weeks, and its final look settles as swelling resolves at around 3 months. Early on it can look swollen, deep, or uneven because of healing tissue and dressings, which is normal and not a sign of a problem4.
For me the belly button looked quite strange in the first month and far more natural by month three, so try not to judge it early. The small scar around it is raised and pink at first and fades and flattens over about 12 to 18 months, like the main scar, and is placed in the natural rim of the navel to stay discreet. For how to help it settle, see tummy tuck scar care.
Sensation and final tweaks
Some altered or reduced sensation around the belly button is common at first, because small sensory nerves are disturbed during surgery. Like the wider numbness across the lower abdomen, it usually improves over months as the nerves recover, though some altered sensation can be permanent in patches1.
If, once everything has matured, the final shape of the navel bothers you, a minor revision can adjust it, but that conversation only happens after healing is complete at around 3 months and ideally once the scars have settled. For when a revision is considered, see revision after a tummy tuck, and for the sensation side, see numbness after a tummy tuck.
References
- 1.
- Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), American Society of Plastic Surgeons. ↩
- 2.
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. ↩
- 3.
- Cosmetic procedures: tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), NHS. ↩
- 4.
- Abdominoplasty, British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. ↩
Common questions
What happens to your belly button in a tummy tuck?
In a full tummy tuck the skin is lifted to the ribs and tightened, so the belly button is usually kept on its stalk and brought out through a new opening in the repositioned skin. This leaves a small scar around the navel. A mini tummy tuck treats only the area below the navel and does not create a new opening.
Do you get a new belly button after a tummy tuck?
In effect, yes, for a full tummy tuck. The original navel stays attached internally, but because the skin around it is removed and tightened, it comes out through a new opening, so it looks remade. A mini tummy tuck does not reposition the belly button because it only addresses skin below the navel.
How long does the belly button take to heal after a tummy tuck?
The new navel heals over the first weeks, with stitches and dressings managed by your surgical team, and its final look settles as swelling resolves at around 3 months. The small scar around it then continues to fade and flatten over about 12 to 18 months, like the main hip-to-hip scar.
Why does my belly button look weird after a tummy tuck?
Early on the new navel can look swollen, deep, or uneven because of swelling, healing tissue, and dressings, and this is normal. The look usually settles by around 3 months. If you are worried about the final shape after healing, a minor revision can adjust it, which is discussed once everything has matured.
Is the belly button numb after a tummy tuck?
Some altered or reduced sensation around the belly button is common at first, because small sensory nerves are disturbed during surgery. Like the wider numbness across the lower abdomen, it usually improves over months as nerves recover, though some altered sensation can be permanent in patches.
Will the belly button scar be visible?
There is a small scar around the belly button after a full tummy tuck, placed to sit in the natural rim of the navel so it is discreet. It is raised and pink at first and fades and flattens over about 12 to 18 months. Good scar care helps it settle, like the main scar.
Written by Rebecca Hale. Medically reviewed by Mr Daniel Okafor, MBBS, FRCS(Plast).
Our guides are written from personal experience and reviewed by a qualified clinician for accuracy. Read our editorial policy.
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