Navel outie surgery - cost and time? Alternatives?

[uniqueflower]

Hi,
I was wondering the viability, time and cost for navel surgery (i.e. turning an outie into an innie). It is not the end of the world, however I really do not like it and if it wasn't too hard to fix that would be an option for me.
Or are there any surgery-free alternatives? I have heard the myth about putting a penny in your belly button but I doubt that would work :P
Thanks

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

This can be repaired surgically.  It may be a reflection of an umbilical hernia.  This needs to be evaluated by a plastic surgeon or a general surgeon.  The extent of the surgery will determine its costs.

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Assuming that you need both repair of an umbilical hernia and revision of your navel, I would probably personally charge around $3000 for professional fees plus additional fees for anesthesia and facility charges of around $1500.  These charges may or may not reflect what you can expect in your area and may vary with the extent of the procedure required after an examination.

[uniqueflower]

Thanks for the response. Are there any other options for this? And if surgery was the only option, what is a general price range to expect? I would need to know a general figure before going any further.
Thanks