body procedures

Umbilicoplasty / Belly Button Surgery

Common reasons patients undergo umbilicoplasty include:

  • Hernia Formation (“outie”)
  • Unwanted Piercing Holes
  • Stomach Creases / Loose Skin

Belly button aesthetics are gaining popularity as patients recognize their options for rejuvenation in this area. There are many reasons patients seek correction, including hernia formation (“outie”), unwanted piercing holes and creases that form when seated, among others. I use a customizable technique that restores a natural aesthetic to the central abdomen.

The Umbilicoplasty Procedure

NATURAL AND PROPORTIONED

Restore a natural and proportioned appeal to the central abdomen. An aesthetically pleasing belly button is not disruptive, but rather complementary, to the overall abdominal appearance.

What to Expect

All procedures are done in a balanced and natural esthetic.

Consultation

During the consultation we will focus on creating a treatment plan that addresses your goals and fulfills your expectations. We will discuss your ideal belly button and the result that can be realistically achieved.

Examination will evaluate for an umbilical hernia, which has implications for the rejuvenation procedure. An aesthetically belly button is central to restoring confidence in revealing clothing and bathing suits. My goal is for you to leave the consultation excited for the natural-appearing belly-button you have always wanted.

Surgery

Belly button rejuvenation is performed at an accredited surgery center in Newport Beach, California, USA. Many of these procedures can be performed under local anesthesia depending on your comfort level and wishes. Under the care of a Board Certified Anesthesiologist, sedation and local anesthesia are used to ensure maximal comfort and safety.

The procedure typically lasts 1 hour depending on complexity of the reconstruction and shaping required. If an umbilical hernia is also present and requires repair, general anesthesia (fully asleep) is preferred to ensure maximal comfort and safety.

The incisions are placed discretely inside the belly button in order to minimize long-term visibility.

PRE-OPERATIVE GUIDANCE

1. Stop all Aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, Fish Oil, Supplements with Omega 3, Ginger, Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba and Turmeric – as these will thin the blood and complicate the surgery. You may take Tylenol as needed.
2. Medications – please notify us of any medications or supplements that you take regularly so that we may advise you appropriately.
3. Please fill all prescriptions prior to surgery so that they may be started immediately upon returning home.
4. Please no recreational drug use or smoking 4 weeks prior to and after the surgery.
5. Please have lab work completed 1-2 weeks prior to surgery.
6. Contact us immediately if you have any change in your health between your pre-operative visit and the surgery date.
7. Arrange for a driver to pick you up from the surgery center. Uber or Lyft are not acceptable. The driver does not have to remain onsite during surgery. they will be called when you are ready to be discharged from the recovery unit.
8. Make sure you have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24-48 hours following surgery – this is for your safety.
9. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY.

Visualizing the volumetric breast change on your own body can be invaluable to the surgical planning process! The Mentor™ 3D Breast Simulator app will facilitate the creation of a “wish picture” prior to your pre-operative visit and works best for augmentation and/or lift procedures. Simply take three pictures as instructed and begin simulating the desired look of your new breasts. When finished, you can securely send your photos to us at info@donaldmowldsmd.com.

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1. Take a shower using anti-bacterial soap – No lotions, hair products, powders, perfumes or makeup.
2. Wear loose comfortable clothing to the surgery center. We recommend wearing zip-up or button-up shirts and loose, comfortable pants.
3. Female patients will be given a urine pregnancy test at the surgery center.

We are here to help you through your recovery. Please do not hesitate to call our office.

Recovery

Patients are discharged home the same day and generally experience very minimal discomfort, often returning to work in the days following surgery. I ask my patients to avoid strenuous exercise or heavy labor for 6 weeks following the procedure in order to ensure optimal healing.

POST-OPERATIVE GUIDANCE

1. Prescriptions provided should be started when you arrive home. Take the first antibiotic dose at dinner time.
2. Please take a daily stool softener (e.g. Colace) or laxative (e.g. Senokot) while taking the pain medication. Stop if stools become loose.
3. Do not take Aspirin, Motrin, Aleve or herbal medications as these interfere with your blood’s ability to clot.
4. Bruising is a normal part of surgery. Over-the-counter Arnica can help expedite its resolution.
5. Continue to remain hydrated following surgery.
6. Gradually resume your regular diet.
7. If you cough or sneeze, make sure you hold a pillow tightly against your abdomen to prevent disruption of the sutures.
8. Sponge bath only. Do not shower, soak or swim until cleared. Keep your dressings in place and dry. They will be removed at your first post-operative appointment.
9. Do not lift anything heavier than a purse and no pushing, pulling, exercise or any activity that may raise your blood pressure until cleared.
10. Avoid activities that may jostle your abdomen as this may disrupt the repair and impact the result.
11. No smoking – this inhibits wound healing, causing undesirable complications.
12. Please call the office if you experience fever, chills, increased pain or if you have any concerns. Our office hours are Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm and Friday 9am-12pm. To reach me after hours, please call the office and follow the prompts.

Results

The results are intended to be long lasting provided a healthy and active lifestyle is maintained.

FAQs

Most patients experience a temporary discomfort that requires very little to no narcotic pain medication. If an umbilical hernia is repaired, the discomfort may be increased slightly. Overall, this is not a painful procedure.

Yes, you will have a protective dressing over the surgical area that will remain in place until your first post-operative appointment. During this visit, I will change the dressing and give you further care instructions.

Full healing of the surgical site is required before I allow patients swim or soak in a tub. This is to protect the wound, which gradually gains strength over a 6 week period. Brief contact with water (i.e. in the shower) is allowed after I have evaluated you during your first post-operative appointment.

Exercise is restricted during the 4 weeks following surgery. This is intended to provide the wound ample time to appropriately strengthen before being subjected to the strain of exercise.

Umbilicoplasty patients are placed in an abdominal binder immediately following surgery and this is to be worn for 2 weeks. If additional procedures are performed concurrently (i.e. Lipocontouring), a compression garment is worn instead for 4-6 weeks to control swelling and mold the final contour.

Request Consultation

BELLY BUTTON SURGERY

Receive an in-depth consultation where we will thoroughly review your goals to personalize a plan focused on a natural and aesthetic result. Dr. Donald S. Mowlds, MD is located in beautiful Newport Beach, CA but is also available via a virtual consultation for out-of-town patients.

Body Procedures

Before & After

Stunning, natural results from patients.

Body Contouring

All procedures are done in a balanced and natural esthetic.

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Improve your belly button appearance by turning an “outie” into an “innie,” correcting unwanted piercing holes and eliminating creases that form when seated. Restore a natural aesthetic to the central abdomen.

Precision liposuction and Renuvion® skin tightening are used to sculpt and define the upper arm. When significant excess is present, skin and fat are excised to restore an aesthetically pleasing size and contour.

Precision liposuction and Renuvion® skin tightening are used to sculpt and define the upper thigh, which can have profound effects on hip and buttock shape. When significant excess is present, skin and fat are excised to restore an aesthetically pleasing size and contour.

With Avéli, you can smooth the skin of your thighs and buttocks by reducing cellulite and dimpled skin. The procedure is minimally-invasive with little downtime.

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Services & Procedures

All procedures are done in a balanced and natural esthetic.