No Belly Button???

I had my consult with my PS yesterday. He is going to submit the request for the pannis removal to the insurance. I should know in a week or two if it is approved.

Will having my pannis removed only and not a tummy tuck make a huge difference.? I will not have a belly button because I guess they do not do that when they remove the pannis. How do you feel without a belly button?

I remember my Mom- had a "pan " in the late '80's- no belly button- said she didn't think it would matter; in the end she said it did.  I've always remembered that- when I had my anchor cut- made sure they created a new one- cute little nipper-----

Thanks, for replying. I was wondering if it would matter, maybe I will get another consolt. The doctor is in the process of submitting the paperwork.

I did multiple consults.  One was unable to handle my surgery, one was without belly button, one was with.  It was a factor in my choice (more than I might have expected).  But my fall back position, if I didn't get a belly button, was to have a tattoo of something where it should have been.  hahaha... I will say that I would have decided to have surgery one way or another.  My surgery is planned in late April.  Good luck.

Oooh, Terry, I've seen some "scar covering-enhancing-badge-of-honor-however you want to call it tattooing" pics, including for lack of bbuttons.  I'm not a huge fan of tattooing, but there is something beautiful and noble about these that are fascinating to me--maybe commemorating a rite of passage or something.  Way cool idea!

I should have said "thinking"...hahahaha I'm a wuss and probably wouldn't ever actually get one.  A friend of mine got a tattoo to commemorate her weight loss.  That was empowering to her.  So a good idea.. I'll probably never do it.  :)

Thanks for that. I do not normally like the idea of getting a tatoo but I have been giving the idea of a belly button tatoo some thought of late. I do not feel comfrontable with the surgeon I met with maybe I will get another consult before I decide.

You don't feel comfortable with him so then DO NOT under any cir****tances have him do your surgery! There is a reason we have a gut instinct. I would call the office and tell the person who answers the phone that you have decided not to use him and that they can stop the insurance approval process.

I had a panniculectomy -- and then, later on, had a full tummy tuck -- and still have my belly button.  Normally the panniculectomy incision runs from hip to hip down low along the "bikini line"' so the incision doesn't involve your belly button. In some cases they may specifically remove the belly button of pulling the skin down would create too much tension on the top of it and cause the skin to basically cover it, but that usually doesn't happen.  

I have just a bit of a "hood" over my belly button, but was told that if I wanted the PS to remove or re-do my belly button, the insurance would not cover that and I would have to pay that portion myself.

As far as how it looks... some people find that having a very flat belly below the waist and still having extra skin (and perhaps muscle laxness as well) above the waist looks funny.  It depends on how much extra skin you have above the navel. I didn't think it would both me too much, but the "muffin top" look started to really bother me, so I paid for a tummy tuck myself (it as actually a "reverse" tummy tuck -- a true "T" shaped incision -- since I already had the panni done).

Lora

I have a clearly defined waist, thanks to the spare tire above my waist. It drives me nuts.  It looks like I'm spilling over the top of my pants. Strange thing is, my back is totally smooth.

A flat belly would be great but it's not my goal. I'll have to wait and see what the final outcome will be. Of course my finances will determine if I'll ever be able to get a full tummy tuck. I have lots of time to wait and save money, I haven't even had surgery yet, my initial consult is in a couple of hours.