Panniculectomy belly button removed?!?!

I recently was approved by my insurance company for belly skin removal, but they said they would have to take away my belly button. Has anyone had this done and what does it look like? Any pics?

Obviously I would rather have the skin removed and lose the bbutton over not having anything done- and I guess if it really bothers me I can pay a plastic surgeon to make one for me a few years down the line- but the aesthetics of no belly button make me curious. Anyone have feedback or input?

I had a panni about 5 yrs ago and opted not to have a BB recreated...Honestly I never even notice its' not there, but I still have horrible stretch marks on my VERY pale belly skin so I never have my tummy exposed except to the DH...Do enjoy cracking jokes when I'm doing aerobics and the instructor makes a remark about sucking that belly button in, LOL...

I had my Panniculectomy done on Oct 31, 2011 and I had to have it done, my belly (hate to use that word) hung down to my knees and at the same time I had a ventral hernia done and my insurance did pay for the surgery, I no longer have a belly button. It doesn't bother me (maybe a tiny bit). I don't have any pictures of a no belly button. When I had my panniculectomy done the doctor removed 20 pounds of fat and skin. It looks like...well...just flat tummy without a belly button. The thing that made me go to the hospital which lead to the panniculectomy is that I had a small bowel obstruction and the ventral hernia. I'm happy that I had it done even though that I no longer have a belly button. If you don't believe me about the 20 pounds removied from my abdominal area you can take a look at my before & after pictures on my profile in the photo section.

Now at least that I can say that I was hatched from an egg rather of being born from...you know (from my mother). Me joking around, I hope I didn't offend you with this joke, if I did, I'm sorry.

My girlfriend had a panni with belly button removal - she opted not to have one made at the time of surgery and had one tattoo'd on later on (couple years later.).

Jen 11+ yrs post op RNY

I had my Pannicultectomy surgery on 8/13/13.  I opted for no belly button as my surgeon would remove more skin and pull down skin that was above my belly button.  It is worth it.  I am still in recovery, however, I do not miss my belly button and do not wear clothing that exposes my belly area anyway.  My husband does not mind and the overall results is satisfying.

Hi,

Can any of you tell me how you started the Ins approval process for this? Thanks.

my surgeon actually got me approved. I had a lymphedema mass in my groin area and I had it cut off with a panniculectomy. It took a couple of months and some testing, xrays, ekg stuff like that, to make sure you are healthy enough to get it and he took my belly button off - I don't miss it!

I spent two days in the hospital and 6 weeks in a rehab unit and went home walking. Now I want to get down some more, but not sure if I can had more surgery without the belly button - a little curious about that!