I love your result

Your plastic surgeon did a great job - Smooth contour and great shape to the belly button. I like a vertical oriented belly button like you have. I do not like the inverted smile belly button shape that some doctors provide. If you look at any swimsuit model, their belly button looks like yours.

As for swelling, I tell my patients the following:

• Avoid spicy and salty foods

• Medical massage or lymphatic drainage should only be done 6 weeks after the surgery, to keep the treatment from putting undue stress on the sutures.

• Arnica Montana and Bromolein are two homeopathic medications that can improve swelling. Real scientific support for these claims is lacking!

• I advise my patients to perform their own massage after three weeks while in the shower. This massage is small circular motions.

As with any advice on this site, seek your own doctor's advice, because it is obvious that he or she knows what they are doing!

Good luck!

Robert Freund, MD, FACS

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First of all, you have a great result!  Your bruising and swelling look normal for one week after surgery.  You will be surprised, but the swelling and bruising will resolve over the next week or so.  I usually have my patients go for medical massage starting 10 days after surgery to help with the swelling and lymphatic flow.  However, you should discuss this with your surgeon before starting any therapies.  Also, avoiding alcohol, salt and spicy foods helps keep the swelling down.  Finally, Arnica Montana tablets or cream may help with the bruising.  This is available in most health food stores.

I hope this is helpful.

Dr. David Shafer

New York City

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After tummy tucks and liposuciton it is very common to have bruising and swelling.  The bruising usually goes away in a few weeks along with the majority of the swelling. Most of the products available for swelling and bruising don't work too well. I would just relax and let time take its toll and allow you to heal the "natural way"

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