Will my belly button eventually look normal, and am I still swollen? My stomach doesn't look all that flat. (Photo)

Question

I had my tummy tuck and lipo 5 days ago. Today as we were changing my dressings The bandage covering my belly button came off and it looks like a cat's butt! I had a sunken in belly button my entire life which I was proud of. Also the stitches look awful! My first follow up was 6/15/18 but I hadn't seen bellybutton yet I will follow up tomorrow but would really appreciate some peace of mind especially after investing $9k on this procedure.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

It will be several months before you see your final result, swelling can take a long time to completely resolve, you will see lots of changes until then. Try to be patient. Good luck.

David L. Kaufman, MD FACS · Answer

At just five days post tummy tuck, it’s impossible to tell how your final results will look. At this stage of recovery, you still have significant swelling, which can make your stomach appear to be more bloated than it will be once all the swelling has gone down.

The same goes for the sutures around your belly button—you are still early on in the healing process. However, you should notice gradual improvements to the appearance of your incisions as you continue to recover. In the meantime, talk with your plastic surgeon about his or her aftercare recommendations for minimizing scarring.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear velazquezjennifer32,I understand your concern and it is quite normal to be concerned about the outcome following a tummy tuck surgery. However, you are still in the very early stages of the healing process at 5 days  post op.Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides you will be able to see the final result of your surgery.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

is a gentle way of describing your early belly button but things can improve as you heal and swelling resolves.  But you will have a very circular belly button and its likely that the belly button itself may be redundant and a revision may be required to help restore you to the pre-op belly button you had.

Chad Robbins, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question and photo.   It is really early in your recovery to know the final results, however, it appears that your PS sutured around your belly button externally, unfortunately.   Hopefully as swelling decreases the scar won't be on the outside of the belly button,( I make mine on the inside to avoid any noticeable scar) however, it may .  Discuss this with your PS in several months when all is healed .

Will my belly button eventually look normal, and am I still swollen? My stomach doesn't look all that flat. (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: A cat's butt

Answer: A cat's butt

Answer: Will my belly button eventually look normal?

Answer: Will my belly button eventually look normal?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Will my belly button eventually look normal, and am I still swollen? My stomach doesn't look all that flat. (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: A cat's butt

Answer: A cat's butt

Answer: Will my belly button eventually look normal?

Answer: Will my belly button eventually look normal?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.