Tamra Judge, star of The Real Housewives of Orange County, is recovering from a challenging abdominoplasty. The 55-year-old reality TV personality underwent a tummy tuck this spring to fix her navel, which was damaged and off-center for more than ten years. Judge says this procedure “is one of the most painful things I’ve ever done” and adds that even giving birth to four children felt easier than this recovery.
Hernia Surgery Left Her Navel Disfigured
Judge’s abdominal issues began in 2012, when she almost died after emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia. The life-saving operation removed the hernia but displaced her belly button. “I basically lost my belly button after that surgery,” she recalled. As years passed, her navel stayed out of place. Loose skin formed in her upper abdomen, while the lower skin tightened unnaturally.
Consulting a Specialist in Newport Beach
During a routine Botox visit at Dr. Milind Ambe’s Newport Beach practice, Judge met Dr. Donald S. Moltz, a board-certified plastic surgeon. When she showed him her uneven belly button and asked if he could fix it, he agreed. Most other doctors had declined due to the complexity of reshaping scar tissue and refolding skin.
Abdominoplasty Reveals Hidden Hernia
Dr. Moltz recommended a full abdominoplasty—a procedure that includes tummy tuck techniques along with scar treatment and skin reshaping. As Judge prepared for surgery, she worried she might be acting out of vanity. She knew from her emergency operation that the hospital stay would last days, and recovery could stretch for months.
Once he operated, Dr. Moltz found a second hernia in her upper abdomen. It measured just over the size of a quarter. He repaired it promptly with a few stitches. “He saved me from another emergency surgery,” Judge said.
Rebuilding the Belly Button “From Scratch”
The five-and-a-half-hour operation involved removing Judge’s old belly button and crafting a new one. Dr. Moltz explained that creating a natural-looking navel in a thin patient requires special care. “You need to break up shadows and outlines to give the right depth,” he said.
To shape and protect the new belly button, Judge wears a silicone trainer, which she calls her “belly button plug.” The cone-shaped device is taped in place to form the correct contours as the area heals.
Painful Recovery and Long-Term Swelling
Judge has been able to walk and sleep in a bed again after weeks in a recliner. However, Dr. Moltz says it will take another eight months for swelling to subside completely. He warns that the first few weeks are especially difficult because nearly every movement uses the core muscles. Judge has paused her usual sit-up routine but says she looks forward to returning once her body fully heals.
A Spiritual Reminder from Beyond
Amid her recovery, Judge felt a spiritual nudge. A psychic friend, Scott Cruz, reached out unexpectedly after sensing something was wrong. He relayed a message from Judge’s late grandmother, who died of intestinal problems. “I was chilled to my core,” Judge said. The experience reinforced her belief that “everything happens for a reason” and underscored how fortunate she was to address her health issues before they became life-threatening.
