The more you know! The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Tamra Judge took to Instagram Tuesday, June 28, to tell her fans why she has no belly button.
The 48-year-old fitness fanatic, who often shows off her fit frame in bikinis on social media, shared an anecdote (and a rather graphic photo) to help curious followers understand why she no longer has an outie or an innie.
“I addressed this tonight on @bravowwhl,” the Orange County resident, who appeared on Watch What Happens Live this past Monday, wrote alongside a pic of her belly button surgically split down the middle. “I know this is gross but I keep getting asked the same question ‘what happened to your belly button’.”
“For the last time …. 3 years ago, I was home alone and experienced excruciating pain. I called @drdubrow immediately and he told me to call 911,” she continued, revealing that her RHOC costar Heather Dubrow’s plastic surgeon hubby, Terry, coached her through the frightening ordeal.
“Terry stayed on the phone with me while the paramedics took me to the hospital,” she continued. “He also communicated with the on call surgeon. My stomach wall had burst due to gastric hernia. 5 hours of surgery this is what i was left with.”
Despite her belly button–free six-pack, Judge is just happy that she survived the health scare.
“Yep I have a [scar] and a screwed up belly button but my intestines where saved,” she concluded. “Thank you @drdubrow for being that Doctor that cared and took the time . If you need a new case for #botched 😉 you got my digits 😂 #f–kedupbellybutton.”
Regardless, the Bravo starlet’s “screwed up” midsection hasn’t hindered her from winning her first bikini competition. The mom of four took home the top prize at the OC’s Musclemania event May 28.
“Hard work, determination and it all comes down to tonight,” the CUT Fitness club founder captioned a video on Instagram before the competition started. In the clip, she warms up her muscles by doing a standing shoulder press with dumbbells in her dressing room.
After her big win, Judge shared a series of snapshots — including one with personal trainer husband Eddie — of her insanely sculpted physique. “Amazing experience,” she wrote, adding, “But it’s Time to relax and enjoy the holiday weekend with friends and family.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. ET.
