Introduction: Designer Belly Button
A designer belly button is like thinking about Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Hermes, Louis Vuitton. This list can go on forever. These designers all have noteworthy characteristics that make them who they are. Before we get into what a designer belly button entails, let’s take a deeper look into the world of designer brands. Let’s take Louis Vuitton, for example.
Without saying anything else other than the words “Louis Vuitton,” what comes to mind? You immediately think of the LV monogram. Two letters, but with so much meaning. You then start to think of their signature Damier print, with two shades of brown juxtaposed amongst each other to create their gorgeous checkered canvas. You then begin to look deeper and begin to notice the attention to fine details for the stunning collection of belly buttons.
You notice their flawless stitching and excellent quality of leather and quickly begin to understand the quality behind the scenes of creating a simple handbag. It suddenly starts to make sense why all of Louis’ stores have a crowd of enthusiasts lining up for hours to get in and browse their showroom.
At this point, you’re probably thinking, what does a designer brand have to do with a designer belly button?!
The answer is simple. Everything.
Before we get into what a designer belly button is, let’s define when you would need a designer belly button. An abdominoplasty – or in plain English, a tummy tuck – involves tightening the midline abdominal muscles, removing excess skin and fat, and creating a neo-umbilicus. Let’s go over this again, but slower, so things make sense. Fluctuations in weight- whether from pregnancy, weight loss surgery, or hitting the gym- will often result in weakness of the midline muscles. One of the key tenets of an abdominoplasty is to tighten those muscles with permanent sutures. That will, in turn, result in a smaller, or snatched waistline.
Once that is done, all of the excess skin and fat from the upper aspect of the belly button to the story of the upper pubic area is removed. Think of a football-shaped area of skin and fat. Gone. Now, here comes the designer belly button.
The belly button stalk itself is never detached from the underlying abdominal muscles. It is only separated from the overlying skin and fat removed- the excess skin and fat are shaped like a football, remember? Now. The task becomes to close the skin, keeping in mind that a considerable tissue segment was removed.
The key is to ensure that the incision site remains low in the pubic area and is well hidden in the bikini or boxer line. If you were astute, you’d be thinking to yourself, what happened to the belly button? Did you close the skin over the belly button?! The answer is yes, and no.
Before we close the skin, we temporarily place a critical tool onto the belly button. Our proprietary, patented friend, the umbilicator! Once placed, we then close the skin and feel for our friend hiding underneath. We then make an appropriately sized incision, reveal the Umbilicator, and create our signature designer belly button.
At this point, the question is, what makes this belly button a “designer” belly button, a Hermes, or Louis Vuitton belly button?
The answer is in the details.
When you’re going to the beach, what’s the one area that you can’t hide with your two-piece bikini or swimming trunks? You’re belly button! Unless you got botched and you have your incision across your lower abdomen- but we’ll save that for a different day. So, we create a belly button at its correct anatomical position- and therein lies the first key of a designer belly button.
Next, it ensures the size is proportional to the body. This is followed by minimizing scarring via utilizing the highest quality suture materials with the best surgical technique available.
In turn, this results in a natural-appearing “designer” belly button.
So the next time you go to the beach, and you’re wearing your favorite Damier print Louis Vuitton swimsuit, remember that it’s going to blend exceptionally well with your Designer Belly Button!
Want a More Attractive Belly Button? Options for a Designer Navel
Your belly button is one of those body parts that you usually don’t think much about. But if you have an oddly shaped, stretched-out, or asymmetrical navel, it can be an embarrassing insecurity. Fortunately, you do have options for improving the appearance of your belly button through cosmetic procedures.
What Causes Unattractive Belly Buttons?
A few key factors can cause your navel to look less than ideal, including:
- Weight changes – gaining or losing significant weight can distort the shape.
- Pregnancy – the skin stretching of pregnancy can alter the look.
- Surgery – abdominoplasty or hysterectomy scars go through the navel area.
- Aging – skin laxity over time impacts the abdominal area.
- Inherent asymmetry or unusual shape from birth.
Improving these issues can help you feel more comfortable showing some midriff in swimsuits or crop tops.
Navel Shaping and Reduction Options
There are a few surgical options to improve the aesthetic appearance of the belly button:
Belly Button Reduction
- Excess skin is removed to tighten large or stretched-out navels.
- The remaining skin is stitched into a tighter, more oval shape.
- Scars are well hidden within the belly button folds.
Umbilicoplasty
- Reshapes asymmetrical or distorted belly buttons for more aesthetic contours.
- Can reduce a protruding or convex navel as well.
- Excess tissue is removed and the remaining skin is sutured into an oval, “innie” shape.
Belly Button Relocation
- Repositions a belly button into a more flattering location on the midline of the abdomen.
- Often part of a post-weight loss tummy tuck when upper abdominal skin is removed.
- A new hole is created higher on the abdomen and the navel is attached in this spot.
What About Nonsurgical Options?
If you only have mild imperfections in shape or symmetry, there are some nonsurgical options to consider first:
Injectable Fillers
- Hyaluronic acid fillers like https://www.juvederm.com/volume-loss can subtly reshape nasal contours.
- Effects last around 6-12 months before a touch-up is needed.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
- Lasers like Fraxel can improve skin tone and mild asymmetry around the navel.
- Helps smooth out the appearance but doesn’t significantly alter the actual belly button shape.
Topical Creams
- Over-the-counter treatments with retinol or vitamin C may mildly improve skin texture over time.
- Results take diligent long-term use but are quite subtle.
For more noticeable improvements in belly button aesthetics, surgical modification usually provides the best options.
What to Expect During Recovery
Designer navel procedures are outpatient surgeries with relatively quick recovery:
- Recovery takes around 2-3 weeks.
- Prescription pain medication manages any postoperative discomfort.
- The swelling subsides within a couple of weeks.
- Avoid strenuous activity and submerge the navel in water until fully healed.
- Some bruising, numbness, and sensitivity around the navel and abdomen may persist for a couple of months.
- Results should last long term, but weight fluctuations can impact results.
How to Choose a Surgeon
Always select an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon when considering any navel reshaping procedure. Be sure to:
- Verify certification from the American Board of Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery.
- Evaluate before and after photos to assess their surgical skills.
- Choose a facility accredited by AAAHC or a similar organization.
- Ask about their experience with umbilicoplasty techniques specifically.
- Discuss pain control options. Proper anesthesia is important.
Schedule a Consultation
If you desire a more attractive “innie” navel, consult with an experienced cosmetic surgeon. They can advise you on whether surgical belly button reshaping or nonsurgical options may be best to achieve your goals. With a skilled expert, you can have the flat-toned tummy and cuter designer navel you want.
