Is the hard bump above my belly button normal? (Photo)

Question

I am 12 weeks post tummy tuck with muscle repair - no lipo. I have what feels like a lump above my belly button. It's gets worse throughout the day and is very hard but not painful. Doctor examined me yesterday and said I have no fluid or muscle repair issues . Said its just my body. Does that sound right.

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

I've seen this circular, sometimes firm rounded area above the belly button on several occasions.  At least in my experience and with time, it vanishes.The skin around the belly button is normally pulled down to the abdominal wall in an attempt to give the belly button an umbilicated appearance, i.e. the edge of the belly button is normally below skin level.  Also, many plastic surgeons defat around the belly button a variable distance to again add to the umbilicated appearance of the belly button.  The defatted skin turns downward towards the abdominal wall, leaving fat at the edge of the skin which has piled up and being pulled downward to some extent.All that mumbo jumbo above means that during the healing process, especially during the inflammatory phase, and seeing a firm rounded area above the belly button is common and historically goes away.

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

Usually, a lump in this area is a seroma. However, since your surgeon ruled that out, you may want to get a scan of the area just to make sure that nothing else is going on. Best, Dr. Nazarian

Bradley A. Hubbard, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. In my experience this complication is almost always a fluid collection (seroma). In this part of the body it often feels like a hard lump. There can be other reasons, but they are much less likely. If your plastic surgeon is unsure an ultrasound test could be performed to determine the cause of the swelling. Best of luck!

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Without a proper exam it is not possible to add to your surgeon's advice.  Fortunately you are having ongoing assessments by your surgeon and they can follow this along.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question and photos. It is difficult without a face to face examination to determine what is going on. There could be a myriad of reasons for this bump. I would give your body more time to heal and keep watch over this area. It is also very important to keep your PS in the loop. If an infection is beginning to brew, your PS can provide wound care. Best Wishes!#bellybuttonbump  #examination  #infectionvsfluid

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photographs. I see your area of concern, but It is difficult to know what may be taking place without an in-person examination.  Possibilities include residual adipose tissue, failure of a portion of the muscle repair, a discrete fluid collection, post surgery swelling, scarring, or an area of fat that has lost its blood supply.  I would continue to maintain close follow up with your surgeon.  This area will either resolve or will demonstrate it's cause with time.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Post op scan of area to determine if fat/scar/suture/intestines/hernia>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

James E. Hardy, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for the question and photos. Based on photos alone it is hard to add additional information. You are doing the right thing by following up with your surgeon. I would continue to follow his/ her recommendations. Best of Luck...

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. I would bet this is an area of fatty tissue that is simply still swollen and firm. These localized areas tend to get better in time, perhaps by the 6 month mark. Massage can help. Continue to follow up w/ your surgeon as well. Best wishes.

Richard Wellington Swift, MD · Answer

Dear Joz, Thank you for posting your pictures with your question. You are still early in your post operative period and should allow for more healing time. Many times the firm bump is inflammation which will resove on its own. The bump may represent post operative swelling, a localized fluid collection that is slowly absorbing or excess fat. Continue to follow up with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who can continue to examine you and will be able to determine the treatment, if any. Best wishes, Dr Richard Swift

Is the hard bump above my belly button normal? (Photo)

Answers (11)

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