Umbilicoplasty

When you first contact Cadogan Clinic, you will speak with one of our Surgical Patient Advisors. They will be able to answer any initial questions you have about Umbilicoplasty and will book in your first consultation with your surgeon. Surgical consultations are usually between 30-60 minutes and your surgeon will explain the results you can expect from an Umbilicoplasty as well as discussing your concerns. We recommend writing down any questions you have for your surgeon ahead of your consultation so that you are fully prepared.

Your surgeon will also carry out a general health and wellness check and take clinical photos for your medical records.

Following your consultation, your surgeon will send your procedure plan to your patient advisor. If the surgeon has decided you are suitable for Umbilicoplasty, your advisor will contact you to explain the options your surgeon has suggested, as well as the pricing and available surgical dates. You will then have a mandatory two week cooling off period to allow you to consider whether you wish to proceed with surgery.

 If you proceed with your Umbilicoplasty at Cadogan Clinic, your surgeon will ask you to prepare for surgery in the following way:

• You will need to complete your pre-operative medical and psychological questionnaires. These will be reviewed by your surgeon, anaesthetist and the nurses to ensure you are ready to proceed with your Umbilicoplasty.
• If you smoke or vape, your surgeon will ask you to stop for six weeks, before surgery can take place. Smoking can have a negative impact on your body’s ability to heal, which may influence your final surgical outcome.
• You will also be asked to cut down on drinking alcohol as excessive alcohol consumption can also impact the healing and recovery process as it causes inflammation.
• In the week before your procedure, avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medications (including ibuprofen and aspirin) and any herbal supplements as these can increase your risk of bleeding.
• You will need to organise a chaperone to come and collect you after your Umbilicoplasty. This should be a family member or friend who can either drive you or accompany you in a taxi and stay with you for the first night.
• In the 6 hours before you arrive at the clinic, you mustn’t eat any solid food, or consume any juice or milk (including tea or coffee). You can have sips of clear liquids (water, or black tea and coffee) up to 2 hours before you arrive at the clinic.

On the day of your Umbilicoplasty, you will be asked to arrive at the clinic an hour before your surgery time. When you arrive, the nurses will check your blood pressure, height and weight, and ask you to change into a surgical gown and compression socks. Your surgeon and anaesthetist will then come to answer any questions.

You will then be taken into theatre, where your anaesthetist will administer your general anaesthetic. All procedures at Cadogan Clinic are carried out with TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) which minimises post-operative sickness and nausea, and allows for a faster initial recovery, meaning you can go home faster.

Your surgeon will then carry out your Umbilicoplasty. After the procedure is finished, you will be taken to our recovery ward, where you will wake up from the anaesthetic and a nurse will monitor your vital health signs. You will then be taken into our ambulatory ward where you will have something to eat and drink. Before you are discharged, a nurse will talk you through any medication you need to take once you leave. When you are ready, the nurses will ask your chaperone to come and collect you and you will head home.

Recovery following Umbilicoplasty is usually quite quick, and most patients are fully recovered within four weeks. You will have to sleep on your back for one week after surgery and will need to avoid exercise and strenuous activity for four weeks.

Following your Umbilicoplasty, you will have two appointments at Cadogan Clinic. The first will be with our specialist nurses, one week after your procedure. They will assess your incisions and explain how to look after your dressings. The second appointment will be with your surgeon, six weeks after your procedure. They will discuss your results and take another set of clinical photos.

Throughout your recovery period, you will have access to our 24-hour specialist nurses’ line, to assist with any queries or concerns you have.