Question:
I just had panniculectomy and hernia repair 5 days ago and the surgeon

had to move my belly button up 6 inches. This is gross but the "stump" would barely reach and so even though I have a belly button it may not take. It may just die away and be left without anything....just a belly. My question is : Has this happened to anyone of you? Do you feel freaky without one? I know this is minor and I am thankful for surviving the surgery ....just want to be normal. Also I have small dog ears left on the sides and doc says he will touch up these later. What do they do for them? Please tell me no more cutting! Thanks guys!    — Mylou52 (posted on February 1, 2004)


February 1, 2004
I don't know about the belly button issue, but as far as I know, they would have to excise the dog ears, so sorry, but it does mean more cuts. But it might be minor, like snipping a hangnail. Best of luck.
   — jaetex

February 1, 2004
I had my belly button taken out back in '93 when I had a very very large adhesion (6"x9") and hernia removed due to a surgery and serious illness called pancreatitis. I basically had a TT my surgeon told me. I do not feel freaky w/o having one. It is like I never even was born with one. You will get used to it. For me it is a conversation topic, people will be joking about this or that about a belly button and I will say, ya well I do not even have one. Another thing, no more belly button fuzz!!
   — ChristineB

February 1, 2004
my 'new' belly button was ok at first.. but to be honest.. now that I'm healing up .. mostly.. it looks awful.. the outside area sort of sticks out, but the hole itself is really tiny... it looks just plain weird and its VERY high... I don't need to be cut anymore.. most people won't see it.. and if they do.. they can think my pants are hanging REALLY low... if they want.. *grin* good luck!
   — Lisa C.

February 1, 2004
I also was given a new belly button and it just looks gross right now, so im kinda scared to see the healed up result, does'nt look impressive right now. I'm hearing alot about "dog ears" left after a tt, what is that? I'm guessing x-tra skin? I was not left with any skin, everything is tight and flat and wonder why people are left with this? I'm just new to PS and thought all tt's were the same?
   — Sandy M.

February 1, 2004
I dont know personally, but my mother in law had a TT 2 1/2 yrs ago...which got infected...anyway she doesnt have a belly button and it hasnt been too odd for her (so she says) Its not like youre showing your stomach to everyone...so no one would really know unless you showed them. And to be honost I dont think it looks weird at all! Good Luck....and yes, dog ears means a little more cutting! Sorry!
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 1, 2004
I have a new belly button and it just looks like someone took a knife and made a small slit in my stomach. It looks very natural and small for my new stomach.
   — Patty H.

February 1, 2004
Just a note on "dog ears'. I had a TT last year, and mentioned to my surgeon how nice it was I didnt 'get' dog ears... HIS explination... "I took the extra time so you wouldnt have them.". Just so future people getting TT know... Dog ears do NOT have to happen. ... p.s. yes there will be cutting.. but its done in the doctors office.
   — star .

February 2, 2004
I had my tt.mr.br in Dec. of 2002 and I have new belly button also, my old one had a scar running through it from my hernia surgery, I love my new one ,it is very tiny and looks so cool, my 14 year old daughter says it is higher now, but I don't notice it !!!
   — bikerchic

February 2, 2004
Okay, I am having a lower body lift in a few weeks and have never heard of dog ears. Exactly what are they and where are they?? Thank you!! Debbie
   — Debbie M.

February 2, 2004
Debbie, Dog ears are the small overlap of skin that sometimes results when the two edges are sewn together. I had never heard of that before either. When you see your plastic surgeon, ask if he/she will do touch-up work after the incision heals. Do most of the surgeons charge extra for that?
   — Mylou52

February 2, 2004
I think "dog ears" have alot to do with surgeon skill- I had a panniculectomy and hernia repair done in Nov, and the paperwork we got clearly stated that we may loose our belly button (I did not),and there may be dog ears- they will probably be on the side where the incisions start- I think lots of people lose their Bb's when they have tummy tucks, I dont think you need one, unless your a lint collector..LOL :)
   — ~~Stacie~~

February 3, 2004
Years ago when my mom had her tummy tuck the surgeon did not even try to put in a new belly button. She lived the rest of her life without one. I reminded her that you can always spot a angel because they don't have a belly button. They're not born, so no belly button was ever formed. My mom was a real angel!
   — jocelyn




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