One of the dead giveaways of a tummy tuck is often the belly button. It’s a small detail, but if done poorly, it can stick out as a clear sign of surgery. Salt Lake City plastic surgeon Kevin G. Rose, MD has made it his mission to change that, developing a technique to create belly buttons that look completely natural—so seamless that even a close look won’t give them away.
Why the Belly Button Matters
Dr. Rose describes the belly button as “a small thing with a big impact.” And he’s right: if it’s not done right, it can break up the entire contour of the abdomen. He approaches each tummy tuck with precision and artistry, aiming to give patients a belly button that feels like it’s always been there. “The belly button has to look harmonious, not like it was placed there after the fact,” Dr. Rose explains.
A Combination Approach
To achieve this, he uses a blend of surgical techniques, including careful placement of incisions and attention to how the tissue settles and heals. Each belly button is customized to the patient’s natural anatomy, which he measures in detail before surgery. “It’s all about respecting what’s there,” he shares. “I want the results to look like the belly button naturally belongs, even under close scrutiny.”
For cases where extra volume is needed, Dr. Rose uses fat grafting with a twist: he adds PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, to the fat before grafting it around the belly button area. “PRP helps the fat survive and blend naturally with the surrounding skin. It boosts blood flow to the area, which is essential for healing,” he says. And he takes it a step further by recommending hyperbaric oxygen therapy to support tissue recovery and give the grafted fat the best chance of thriving.
Getting a Natural-Looking Belly Button
His goal is simple: a natural-looking result that doesn’t scream “surgery.” Dr. Rose’s attention to detail extends beyond just the belly button; it’s about creating a whole look that’s cohesive and natural. “I want people to look at my work and just think the patient looks good—no surgical tells. It’s about enhancing what’s already there,” he says.
Patients often come back surprised at how much difference a subtle detail like the belly button can make to their confidence. Dr. Rose has seen that firsthand. “When people feel like they look good without obvious signs of surgery, it can be transformative for their confidence,” he adds. It’s the difference between good work and undetectable work.
