The question may seem idle: where should the navel be? “Well, where else would it be! —you might answer me—. Exactly where it is!” And yet, the answer is not so obvious.
What is the role of the navel?
A few months ago, doctors Giuseppe Visconti, Emiliano Visconti, Lorenzo Bonomo and Marzia Salgarello published a paper in the scientific journal Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in which, after some considerations about the role of the navel in Western societies, where it is increasingly common for women (and men too, mind you, although theirs does not seem to worry them) to show it, they pointed out that precisely because it is seen more, there is growing interest in its shape and position, something that until recently concerned almost no one. And this has caused an increase in the number of navel surgery operations.
They then explained that this finding had led them to study and classify the area into 81 types of navels (not in person, but thanks to photos in which they appeared in bikinis), and to complete that work first with a kind of online survey in which they asked 1,682 people about their favorite type of navel.
The result of so much research passion was locating the ideal position and shape. The most highly rated shape was the vertical oval with an upper hood (82%); and the least appreciated were the horizontal oval (29%) and the protruding shape (47%).
How does knowing all this help us in daily medical practice?
A lot! Taking into account that umbilicoplasties are common in our clinics, which allow us to:
- Correct defects
- Correct deformities
- Improve shape and size
Let us remember that abdominoplasty (also called dermolipectomy) is the surgical technique with which we reconstruct the tissues of the abdominal wall that have deteriorated and stretched as a result of pregnancies, weight loss, age or some diseases. That is, it is a surgery indicated for those people who have sagging abdominal tissues and, therefore, a bulging and hanging abdomen.
Logically, when touching that area, we “move” the navel, and we had better place it where it should be, because few things are more unsightly than a misplaced navel. For this reason, abdominoplasties are usually always performed with navel surgery.
As you can see, this exercise in navel-gazing was fully justified. And, speaking of perfect and well-positioned navels, there are other ways to improve the appearance of the abdominal area, which are good alternatives to surgery: for example, ultrasound abdominal definition.
If you would like more information, contact our team at Clínicas Fernández Blanco.
Dr. Alfredo Fernández Blanco
The plastic surgeon Dr. Alfredo Fernandez Blanco stands out in his branch of medicine, as the best breast surgeon, he is also a pioneer in the so-called secondary surgeries or sequelae. With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of successful cases, he continues to achieve the most natural results that can be expected in a cosmetic surgery operation.
