Yes, an outie belly button can be fixed. The procedure is called umbilicoplasty, a short cosmetic operation that reshapes an “outie” into a natural-looking “innie” through a small, well-hidden incision. If you have been wondering how to fix an outie belly button, or whether it can be fixed at all, this page explains what umbilicoplasty is, the important difference between a purely cosmetic outie and one caused by an umbilical hernia, who is a good candidate, how the procedure is performed, what recovery and scarring look like, and how pregnancy fits in, reviewed by a double board-certified surgeon.
Umbilicoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes the navel. Most people have an “innie,” a small inward-set belly button, but some have an “outie,” where the navel protrudes outward. The innie vs outie difference usually comes down to how the skin and scar tissue healed at the site where the umbilical cord was attached, and in some cases to a small gap in the abdominal wall underneath. Umbilicoplasty removes or tucks the extra projecting skin and recreates a natural, recessed innie shape. It is a quick, focused procedure and is one of the few ways to genuinely fix an outie belly button in an adult.
This is the single most important question before any outie belly button repair, and it is why an in-person evaluation matters. There are two very different causes of an outie:
If a hernia is the reason for your outie, the abdominal wall defect must be repaired, not just the skin, and the two are often addressed together in one setting. Dr. Moeinolmolki is an experienced general and laparoscopic surgeon in addition to being a cosmetic surgeon, which means an umbilical hernia can be properly repaired and the navel refined for appearance at the same time, by the same surgeon. You can read about the hernia side of this on our umbilical hernia surgery page.
Good candidates for outie belly button surgery include:
Candidates are generally in good health and have realistic expectations about the small, hidden scar. Because pregnancy can change the result, many patients who plan to have children think about timing, which is covered below. A consultation is the only way to confirm whether your outie is cosmetic, hernia-related, or both.
Dr. Moeinolmolki tailors the approach to what is actually causing the outie.
When the outie is purely cosmetic, the procedure is usually done under local anesthesia. A small incision is placed inside the rim of the navel, where it is naturally concealed. The excess projecting skin is trimmed or tucked and the belly button is re-formed and secured into a natural, inward innie shape. It is a short procedure with a quick recovery.
If evaluation shows a hernia, the opening in the abdominal wall is closed first to repair the defect, and then the navel is reshaped for appearance. Repairing the hernia is what makes the correction durable, since simply trimming the skin over an open hernia would not hold. This combined repair-and-reshape is where Dr. Moeinolmolki’s dual background in general surgery and cosmetic surgery is especially useful.
Many women notice their innie turn into an outie belly button during pregnancy. As the uterus grows, pressure inside the abdomen pushes the navel outward, and for some women it “pops.” In most cases this is temporary and the navel settles back toward its usual shape in the months after delivery. Sometimes pregnancy also stretches the abdominal wall enough to reveal or worsen a small umbilical hernia, which can leave a lasting outie. If your outie appeared or got worse with pregnancy and has not returned to normal, it is worth having it evaluated to see whether it is skin, a hernia, or both.
For patients who plan to have children, the honest answer is that a future pregnancy can affect the result, because it again stretches the abdominal wall and skin around the navel. Many patients therefore choose to wait until they are finished having children before doing a purely cosmetic reshaping, so the result is not disturbed later. That said, an umbilical hernia that is causing symptoms may need to be addressed on its own timeline regardless of future pregnancy plans. This is a personal decision best made with your surgeon based on whether a hernia is present and your family plans.
Recovery after umbilicoplasty is typically quick. Many patients return to desk work within a few days and resume strenuous activity and core workouts after a few weeks, with the timeline a bit longer when a hernia has also been repaired. The scar is placed inside the navel rim, one of the best-hidden locations on the body, so once healed it is very difficult to see. Following your aftercare and scar-care instructions and avoiding tension on the abdomen while healing give the finest, most discreet result.
Yes. A tummy tuck already involves recreating the belly button as loose abdominal skin is tightened, so the navel is reshaped as part of that procedure. If your outie comes with loose lower-abdominal skin or separated abdominal muscles after pregnancy or weight change, addressing everything together often makes more sense than reshaping the navel alone. The American Society of Cosmetic Surgeons has a helpful overview of abdominoplasty. Your consultation will determine whether a standalone umbilicoplasty, a hernia repair, or a larger contouring procedure best fits your goals.
Cost depends on whether the procedure is a standalone cosmetic umbilicoplasty, whether an umbilical hernia also needs to be repaired, the anesthesia and facility used, and whether it is combined with a tummy tuck. A purely cosmetic reshaping is generally not covered by insurance, while a medically necessary hernia repair sometimes is, at least in part. Because every case is different, we review exact, all-inclusive pricing and financing options during your consultation so you have a clear figure before you decide.
Yes. An outie belly button can be fixed with umbilicoplasty, a short cosmetic procedure that reshapes the protruding navel into a natural innie through a small incision hidden inside the navel rim. If the outie is caused by an umbilical hernia, the hernia is repaired as part of the correction.
A small incision is made inside the rim of the navel, the excess projecting skin is trimmed or tucked, and the belly button is re-formed into an inward innie shape. If an umbilical hernia is present, the opening in the abdominal wall is closed first so the repair lasts. It is often done under local anesthesia.
Not always. Some outies are purely cosmetic, from extra skin or how the original navel scar formed, with a strong abdominal wall underneath. Others are caused by an umbilical hernia, where tissue pushes through a small gap in the abdominal wall. Only an in-person exam can tell them apart, which matters because a hernia needs to be repaired, not just trimmed.
During pregnancy, rising pressure inside the abdomen often pushes an innie outward, and it may pop into an outie. This is usually temporary and settles in the months after delivery. Sometimes pregnancy reveals or worsens a small umbilical hernia, which can leave a lasting outie that is worth having evaluated.
A future pregnancy can stretch the abdominal wall and affect the result, so many patients wait until they are done having children before a purely cosmetic reshaping. However, an umbilical hernia that is causing symptoms may need to be addressed sooner. The right timing depends on whether a hernia is present and your family plans, which you can discuss at your consultation.
Recovery is usually quick. Most patients return to desk work within a few days and resume strenuous activity and core workouts after a few weeks. The timeline is a little longer when an umbilical hernia has also been repaired.
The incision is placed inside the rim of the navel, one of the most concealed spots on the body, so the scar is very well hidden once healed. Following scar-care guidance and avoiding tension on the abdomen during healing help keep it discreet.
Pricing depends on whether it is a standalone cosmetic reshaping, whether an umbilical hernia repair is also needed, the anesthesia and facility, and whether it is combined with a tummy tuck. Cosmetic reshaping is generally not covered by insurance, while a medically necessary hernia repair sometimes is. You receive an exact, all-inclusive quote and financing options at your consultation.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Babak Moeinolmolki, MD, FACS, a double board-certified cosmetic surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and an experienced general and laparoscopic surgeon, practicing in Los Angeles. Reviewed September 2026. This page is for education and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation.