If you are interested in a tummy tuck procedure as a way of making your stomach appear smoother and flatter as a result of the elimination of excess skin and fat, you may be best served by the umbilical float technique. It tends to be chosen by those that do not have enough skin for a standard reduction.
Umbilical float abdominoplasty or lipoplasty is the type of tummy tuck procedure that involves the detachment of the belly button from the abdominal wall, so that it can be repositioned. It is generally the same as any other mini tummy tuck surgery, but involves the belly button stalk being divided at the point of its attachment to the abdominal wall.
The surgeon can then perform any necessary abdominal muscle tightening, before pulling the skin down and reattaching the stalk of the belly button.
How does the floating umbilicus procedure differ from a mini tummy tuck?
In a mini tummy tuck, there is no detachment of the naval stalk. Instead, a small incision is simply made so that some tissue can be removed. The surgeon then pulls the skin over the area worked on, with the end result being a trimmer stomach.
However, in some circumstances the patient may desire that the belly button is moved, perhaps because it is already in too high a position, leading to the decision to perform an umbilical float lipoplasty. This procedure entails a higher incision on the abdomen than a mini tummy tuck, in which the incision is just above the pubic area.
However, it is perhaps the end result that best demonstrates the differences between the floating umbilicus procedure and a mini tummy tuck procedure. Whereas a mini tummy tuck tightens the muscle and skin layer beneath the belly button, umbilical float lipoplasty brings its greatest benefits to the area above the belly button.
Why book with Cosmetic Surgery Partners?
With our skilled and experienced surgeons in the fields of tummy tucks, liposuction and related body surgery, you can trust us to provide you with the most informed advice in the period leading up to your operation, including what to expect after surgery and how to better assist recovery.
As part of the Cosmetic Surgery Partners patient journey, we provide a psychological assessment before Abdominoplasty surgery. This step is to prepare the patient, enhance their tummy tuck cosmetic surgery journey and support them psychologically if there are any mental health concerns.
Please call our award-winning team on 020 7486 6778 now, for a more detailed discussion about floating umbilicus lipoplasty and the other body surgery options that may be available to you. We also welcome messages to be sent via our contact form.
Some people have areas of fat cells that do not shrink despite a healthy diet or plenty of exercise. This is often the reason people undergo Lipoplasty surgery to re-shape the area of their body that they are currently unhappy with. Each patient's end result will be different due to various fsactors including how much fat is removed from the specific area(s).
Pre-Operative
Intra-Operative
After the procedure is completed we would normally expect patients to spend 1-2 nights in hospital with their drains left in for 4-5 days. A pressure garment will need to be worn for 3 weeks and you should wait a minimum of six weeks before you return to full physical activity.
Complications that can occur during this procedure are:
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