April 2025
Mini Tummy Tuck With Scarless Belly Button
If you're considering a tummy tuck — whether it’s to feel more confident after pregnancy, weight changes, or simply to restore the body you feel best in — you're not alone. Many women who visit my office share similar hopes and concerns: Will it look natural? Will the scars be visible? Is there a way to avoid a scar around my belly button?
One technique we often discuss is the "floating belly button" method during a mini tummy tuck. This approach can offer beautiful, natural-looking results with minimal scarring for the right candidates.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know — from what the procedure involves, to who it’s right for, to what you can expect during recovery. I want you to feel informed, empowered, and supported every step of the way.
Understanding Your Options: Mini vs. Traditional Tummy Tuck
Choosing the right tummy tuck technique is personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — it’s about what’s best for your unique body and goals.
Here's a quick comparison:
| Type of Tummy Tuck | Focus | Ideal Candidate |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Tummy Tuck With Umbilical Float | Targets the lower abdomen with muscle re-tightening/ plication while preserving the belly button. | Those with minor excess skin below the belly button. |
| Traditional Tummy Tuck | Addresses both the upper and lower abdomen with muscle tightening. | Those with significant loose skin and muscle separation |
During your plastic surgery consultation, we’ll decide together which option fits you best — based on your skin, your muscles, and your personal preferences.
What Happens During a Traditional Tummy Tuck?
In a traditional tummy tuck, I make a low horizontal incision (hip bone to hip bone) to remove excess skin, tighten the abdominal muscles, and recreate the belly button in a new position. This method is incredibly effective for women who have a lot of loose skin or significant abdominal changes after pregnancy or weight loss.
Belly Button Repositioning:
Because we tighten the entire abdomen, the belly button must be detached and recreated through a new opening. My goal is always to position it naturally and minimize scarring around it, but some visible scarring around the belly button is typical. We always recommend scar gel and laser scar therapy to minimize visible scarring.
Scarring:
The main scar runs low across the pelvis in a bikini incision, usually easily hidden by underwear or bikini bottoms. With proper aftercare (and a little patience), scars typically fade over time, although they won't disappear completely.
Ideal Candidates for a Traditional Tummy Tuck:
-Significant loose or sagging abdominal skin
-Ab muscle separation (diastasis recti)
-Previous pregnancies or major weight fluctuations
-Stable weight and overall good health
Research Full Tummy Tuck with Dr. Burns
Dr. Burns' Corset Tummy Tuck Technique
Traditional Tummy Tuck- Dallas Plastic Surgeon, Dr. John Burns MD, FACS
What is A "Floating Belly Button" Mini Tummy Tuck?
If you have a mild to moderate amount of skin laxity, mostly below your belly button, you might also be a candidate for the umbilical float.
Instead of recreating a new belly button opening, we gently "float" your belly button by temporarily detaching it. This avoids creating a scar around it — keeping your natural belly button intact.
Why Patients Love It:
Quicker recovery | Smaller incision | Preserves the natural belly button | Less scarring overall
This technique is used exclusively with a mini tummy tuck to tighten the lower abdomen and strengthen the abdominal wall, without the more extensive work of a full traditional tummy tuck.
Mini Tummy Tuck with Umbilical Float by Dallas Plastic Surgeon, Dr. John Burns, MD, FACS
Am I a Good Candidate for the Floating Belly Button Technique?
During your consultation with me, we’ll look at a few key factors:
Skin laxity (Is most of the loose skin below the belly button?)
Muscle tone (Is there mild to moderate separation that needs tightening? Dr. Burns will clarify this for your in your complimentary consult.)
Belly button position (Would floating it still look natural on your body?)
Overall health and goals (Are your expectations realistic?)
If the floating technique fits your anatomy, it can create beautiful, natural results with less recovery time and fewer scars.
Research The Mini Tummy Tuck with Dr. Burns
Will I Have a Scar Around My Belly Button?
One of the biggest benefits of the floating belly button technique is no new scar around the belly button. Because we don’t create a new opening, the natural skin around your belly button remains untouched.
Of course, you’ll still have a low horizontal scar where we make the main incision — but it’s usually much smaller and easier to hide than with a traditional tummy tuck.
What’s Recovery Like After a Mini Tummy Tuck with
Floating Belly Button?
Here’s what you can expect:
Compression garment: You'll wear one to support your healing tissues and reduce swelling.
Activity restrictions: You’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise, lifting, and twisting motions for several weeks to protect the repair.
Gradual return to normal: Many patients are back to light activities within 1–2 weeks, and full activities (including workouts) around 6 weeks, depending on healing.
Scar care: My nurse will guide you on techniques to help scars heal beautifully over time.
Most of my patients say the first week is the toughest, so I inject a very long-acting local anesthetic called Exparel to minimize discomfort for the first few days following your tummy tuck. That said, with the right preparation and a little patience, you’ll be feeling stronger and more confident every day.
Complimentary ConsultFAQs About Mini Tummy Tuck with Umbilical Float
What exactly does "floating the belly button" mean?
It means we detach the belly button stalk from the abdominal wall to allow muscle repair and skin tightening without creating a new skin opening. The belly button stays connected and natural-looking.
Does floating the belly button affect how it looks?
Not when done carefully. One of my goals is always to preserve the natural appearance and position, so your belly button looks exactly like it belongs there.
Will I still need a compression garment?
Yes. A compression garment helps reduce swelling, supports healing, and improves the final contour.
Is this procedure less invasive than a traditional tummy tuck?
Yes — when you’re a good candidate, the mini tummy tuck with umbilical float is less invasive, requires a smaller incision, and usually has a faster recovery.
How soon can I get my belly button pierced after an umbilical float?
As soon as you like. Because the blood supply to the belly button is in tact you can do a piercing whenever. Many patinet request that Dr. Burns pierce their belly button as part of their tummy tuck; provided they get the umbilical float.
How soon can I get spray tanned after an umbilical float?
You will want to be careful not to spray tan or tan any of your scars for 6 months. Many patients who do spray tans will cover their incision with tape and spray tan around the tape.
Why Personalized Expert Care Matters
One thing I always emphasize: every woman’s body and goals are different.That's why I take a personalized approach to each tummy tuck — carefully evaluating whether a traditional or mini option (with or without floating the belly button) will deliver the safest, most beautiful, and natural-looking results for you.
You deserve care that’s customized to your body, your goals, and your lifestyle — not a cookie-cutter surgery plan.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you're considering a tummy tuck — or if you’re simply curious about whether a mini tummy tuck with floating belly button might be right for you — I invite you to schedule a consultation with me.
Together, we’ll explore the best approach to help you feel confident, comfortable, and excited about your body again.
I look forward to meeting you and supporting you every step of the way.
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