What's it like with no belly button?

I was told by the surgeon that one of my hernias is bellow the belly button and keeping the button might be difficult/impossible.  Not a big deal withme, but I'm wondering if others had any experience without it? 

I was thinking, I could just get a tatoo where I would have had a belly button.  Is that doable over a scar??

LOL you are so funny.

I don't know about the tattoo, never had one.

My surgeon saved my belly button. It's way higher than it used to be, and it took some getting used to. You just don't realize how much you are oriented to where your belly button is.

Hope they can save yours.

Can't relate but I know of several who have posted here who have no belly button now.  Like Ruth, my belly button is a lot higher than it used to be.

Found this on a tattoo website:

Depends on the severity of the scar..thick scars take longer before they're ready.Certain areas of a design can hide a scar well.. for example it's easy to hide one in a wizard's cloak, but would probably destroy his face.Small scars are easy to hide in a good sized design.The older the scar tissue the better ,a rule of thumb is wait at least a year for even moderate scarring again the longer the better..A person with a good eye can help you out on this,be cautious who you work with.

Good to know.  Maybe I could just use a temporary tattoo for the first year and try out different designs.  I think a smiley face would be fun. 

In all seriousness, I'd hold out for a belly button.  Let your surgeon know it's important.  It's extra work for the surgeon but that's what you're paying him for and he should make every attempt to save it or make a new one.  Good luck with everything.

greetings

belly button was not important to me at all. i opted to no longer have one. it's been over a year since i had that surgery, and i haven't missed it a single bit!

good luck to you!

deb

Don't give up on the ol' bb yet.  I know people who thought they would lose theirs and didn't.  Tell him to try and save yours if he can.  I wish you a wealth of healing.  Loris

I have no belly button. It's really strange, because it's not noticable right away. Like you expect one to be there, so you don't see that it isn't.
I may one day get a tattoo, or maybe not. It's not as important to me as I thought it was when I first lost it.
Edited to add: with a hernia repair, previous obesity and a TT, sometimes the blood supply is compromised. This is the main reason for loss of your belly button. Difficulty or money usually isn't the problem for your surgeon. Any decent PS would much rather have a great looking natural belly button fi possible, than rush through and leave you without one.
If the blood supply is bad, the tissue will die, and you can end up with necrotic skin having to be cut away, usually leaving an open wound, that  takes forever to heal.
I am sure if possible, your PS will save your belly button. If not, it will be ok. Having a flatter stomach, and no hernia will be GREAT!