A Plain English Guide From Dr Michael Baumholtz, Plastic Surgeon In San Antonio, Texas
Belly buttons are small scars with a big job in aesthetics. Some are tiny and tucked in. Others are round, oval, hooded, or slightly protruding. After weight change, pregnancy, or surgery, a navel can also change shape. Dr Michael Baumholtz, Plastic Surgeon in San Antonio, Texas, explains common belly button shapes, what influences them, and when a change might be reasonable. The goal is practical knowledge so decisions feel calm and informed.
Why Belly Buttons Look Different
A belly button forms when the umbilical cord separates and the skin seals. What you see on the surface is only part of the story. Under the skin is a stalk attached to the abdominal wall. The length of that stalk, the thickness and elasticity of skin, muscle tone, and how the fascia rests all influence the final look. Genetics set the baseline. Life events then nudge the details. Pregnancy stretches the system and may loosen the upper hood. Weight shifts add or remove fullness around the rim. Piercings can create small scars or change the way the top edge lies. Prior surgery, including hernia repair or a tummy tuck, can reshape the opening. Dr Michael Baumholtz reminds patients that variety is the norm and that healthy belly buttons come in many shapes.
Video: Lets Talk About The Belly (Tummy Tuck Overview)
The Most Common Belly Button Shapes
✓ Vertical Oval
A vertical oval is taller than it is wide. It often appears lean with a soft top shadow and a gentle taper. Many adults have this shape at a stable weight. Small differences in lighting can make it look deeper or shallower from one photo to the next. During exercise or with a flat posture, the vertical look can appear more defined because the surrounding skin is taut.
✓ Horizontal Oval
A horizontal oval is wider than it is tall. It can be a genetic variant or a response to changes in skin tension from weight gain, weight loss, or pregnancy. If the upper skin relaxes more than the lower skin, the opening can stretch side to side. This shape is common and healthy. Clothing and shadows can exaggerate the width in photos, so standardized angles help when comparing images over time.
✓ Round
A round navel has a circular opening with even borders. It may be shallow or quite deep depending on the stalk length. Round navels are common across all body types and often remain stable with modest weight shifts. Sweat, heat, and fabric friction can irritate the rim in summer, so breathable fabrics and gentle hygiene help the area stay calm in San Antonio weather.
✓ Slit Or Keyhole
A slit navel has a narrow opening that can look like a short line. A keyhole combines a small round opening under a short vertical slit. These patterns reflect how the stalk connects to the skin and how tension lines pull. They are normal variants. If discharge, odor, or irritation occurs, evaluation is simple and treatment is usually conservative.
✓ Hooded
A hooded navel sits under a small shelf of skin at the top that casts a shadow. Hooding often becomes more visible after pregnancy or weight change when the upper skin relaxes. Hooding is not a problem unless it traps moisture and causes irritation. Gentle hygiene and breathable fabrics often help. When someone wants a crisper look, surgical shaping can reduce the hood and create a cleaner rim.
✓ Outie
An outie protrudes. Some outies are soft and natural. Others are firm and round. A new or growing outie can reflect a small umbilical hernia where tissue pushes at a weak point. If the bump is tender, cannot be pressed flat, or changes with coughing or effort, a brief exam is wise. If the hernia is small and painless, the plan may be watchful waiting. If it is symptomatic or enlarging, repair is discussed.
✓ Deep Set
A deep set navel is recessed with a narrow entrance and a deeper pocket below. The shape is driven by stalk length and the way surrounding fat and fascia lie. Hygiene matters because lint and moisture can collect. A simple shower rinse and careful drying are usually enough. If irritation or odor persists, the office can help rule out a cyst or small sinus that needs attention.
✓ T Or Inverted T
A T shaped navel shows a vertical line that meets a short horizontal crease. It may be present from youth or appear after surgery or pregnancy when tension changes across the midline. Some patients find a T shape unique and do not want to change it. Others dislike the crease because fabric or sweat can irritate it. Options are reviewed case by case.
What Can Change Your Belly Button Over Time
- Pregnancy And Postpartum Changes
Pregnancy stretches skin, fascia, and the small attachments around the navel. After delivery, these layers tighten at different speeds. A round navel can become hooded. A vertical oval can look wider. Small outies may appear or a mild hernia may become more visible. Dr Michael Baumholtz encourages patience in the first postpartum months because many changes soften as hormones settle and as core tone returns. When a hernia is present or when the shape remains uncomfortable, he explains options in plain English and plans around future family goals.
- Weight Gain Or Weight Loss
Weight gain adds fullness around the rim, which can make the opening look smaller or more horizontal. Weight loss can reveal a deeper pocket or fine skin folds that were hidden. Slow, steady change is kinder to the skin than dramatic swings. Stable weight supports stable shape, which is why he encourages healthy routines long before any elective procedure.
- Piercings
Piercings may leave small scars or change the upper hood. If redness, drainage, or a firm bump develops, a short visit can rule out infection or a small granuloma. Most issues resolve with simple care. If a piercing is being removed before surgery, he plans the timing so the skin has a chance to settle.
- Prior Surgery
Hernia repair can leave small surface changes. Laparoscopic procedures performed through the navel may change the rim or create a short crease. During a tummy tuck, the skin is tightened and the stalk is brought through a new opening shaped to fit the new tension lines. Dr Michael Baumholtz designs this opening to look natural on the tightened surface. He does not use VECTRA for body imaging and relies on careful markings, standardized photos, and intraoperative judgment to shape the navel.
When Shape Suggests A Medical Issue
Most belly buttons are healthy and simply varied. Red flags include new pain, persistent redness, foul drainage, a growing outie, or a tender lump that does not press flat. These signs can reflect a small umbilical hernia, a cyst, or an infection. Evaluation is quick. Treatment ranges from simple wound care to outpatient hernia repair if needed. He avoids alarm and favors a stepwise plan that matches the issue.
How Surgeons Shape A Belly Button During Tummy Tuck Or Revision
During a tummy tuck, the surface skin is tightened, then a precise opening is created for the stalk. The goal is a natural position, depth, and shadow. Fine sutures shape the rim. Small internal tacking stitches may refine depth. Revision work focuses on softening sharp edges, correcting small rings, reducing a heavy hood, or addressing a slit that feels too tight. Scar care begins when the skin is sealed and calm. Silicone, gentle massage, and sun protection help the finish. Dr Michael Baumholtz explains tradeoffs in simple terms and avoids promises that skin quality cannot support.
What You Can Do To Support A Healthy Looking Belly Button
Daily habits matter. Gentle hygiene prevents irritation. Breathable fabrics reduce friction and moisture. During summer in San Antonio, brief outdoor times and quick rinses after workouts keep the rim calm. If you are planning surgery, stable weight supports stable shape. After surgery, follow incision care instructions closely and use silicone when cleared. If something looks new or worrisome, a quick call prevents small issues from growing.
Why Patients In San Antonio Ask About Belly Button Shape
In a warm, active city where swimwear and midriff clothing show the abdomen, small details matter. Patients ask whether a different shape is possible with tummy tuck, hernia repair, or a focused revision. Dr Michael Baumholtz reviews photos from standardized angles, discusses goals, and outlines what a given skin type can reasonably do. He frames options in plain English and sets timelines that account for work, family, and the Texas heat.
Why Choose Dr Michael Baumholtz In San Antonio
Patients choose Dr Michael Baumholtz for steady judgment and a conservative, safety first approach. He is a Plastic Surgeon who explains options without hype and who plans recovery around real life. He is known for thoughtful abdominal revision work and for long term follow up. He does not take insurance and he does not offer guarantees. He focuses on access, clarity, and results that fit the person.
Next Steps - A Private Conversation In San Antonio
If you are thinking about your belly button shape or planning abdominal surgery, a private consultation with Dr Michael Baumholtz in San Antonio is the best place to start. He will examine skin quality, check for hernia, review your history, and describe what shape is realistic for your anatomy. He prefers to over explain rather than leave a detail unclear.
FAQs About Belly Button Shapes In San Antonio
Can a round belly button become vertical again after pregnancy?
Sometimes. As the abdomen tightens and weight stabilizes, a round opening can look more vertical. If looseness remains, upper hooding can keep it rounder. Options are reviewed when family plans and health allow.
Is a new outie always a hernia?
No. Some outies are natural. A new, firm, or growing outie can be a small hernia and deserves a quick exam. Pain or skin changes increase the urgency to be seen.
Can a tummy tuck make my belly button look smaller?
Yes. A tummy tuck reshapes the surface opening while preserving the stalk. The target size fits your torso and skin quality. Scar care after surgery helps the finish.
What if my piercing left a bump at the top of the navel?
A small bump may be a scar or a granuloma. Many improve with simple in office care. Dr Michael Baumholtz assesses the skin and outlines the least invasive step that makes sense.
Will weight loss alone change a hooded belly button?
It can. As fullness decreases, the hood may relax and the rim can look crisper. If loose skin remains, shape change may be limited without a surgical lift or tuck.
Can two belly buttons be exactly the same after surgery?
No. Skin thickness, tension, and healing patterns vary. The goal is a natural look that fits the abdomen rather than a copy of a photo.
Does San Antonio heat affect skin around the navel during recovery?
Yes. Heat and sweat can irritate healing skin. Breathable fabrics, short outdoor trips, and gentle hygiene help. If redness or irritation persists, call the office for advice.
Schedule A Consultation
Ready to talk with Dr Michael Baumholtz in San Antonio. Schedule a private consultation with Dr Michael Baumholtz, Plastic Surgeon in San Antonio, Texas, to review your belly button shape and discuss safe options that match your goals. Call the practice or request an appointment online to get started.
