Swelling around belly button 8 weeks after liposuction. Is that problem common? (Photo)

Hi, Emelila. The short answer is: It's too early to tell!The area around the belly button is always a tough spot with liposuction -- there is usually a more generous amount of fatty deposits in this area, mixed with very fibrous tissue, followed by the added complication of looser skin, tethered in the center by the umbilicus. As a result, swelling typically takes longer to resolve around the belly button, causing some fullness to persist after surgery. There may be persistent fullness due to slower and/or incomplete skin tightening, aggrevated by the fixation of the umbilicus to the deeper abdominal wall. Also, there may be fullness due to fibrous tissue that could not be removed with liposuction or due to fatty deposits that were missed. And, of course, there may be fullness due to a combination of factors. 8 weeks is still relativley early for liposuction of the abdomen -- swelling can really be a nagging and irritating problem, and there is only so much one can do to move it along. Time, massage, exercise, and a clean diet can have a positive impact in many cases. As the swelling resolves, the skin begins remodeling and some tightening occurs. This process may take several months. I would encourage you to work closely with your surgeon. Time will sort out the cause of the fullness.  Undergoing a revision prematurely, in the face of ongoing swelling following liposuction, could subject you to an unneceassry procedure, result in a worsened appearance and contour irregularities, and/or actually worsen the swelling.  Best of luck!

 Your surgeon was not quite correct.The area around the belly button requires more time but not time as in awaiting. Rather time during the procedure.The fat in this area is more Fibrinous and persistent.It requires many more passes and more effort to be placed during the procedure.Residual or uneven fat around the belly button is one of the most common imperfections after  abdominal liposuction.I suggest you talk to your plastic surgeon about a revision removing more fat from this area.Generally revisions should not be done within the first six months after the procedure.While at eight weeks you may be swollen the swelling  it's not disproportionate to what your picture shows. My practice is almost exclusively devoted to body contouring using liposuction and fat transfer.Unfortunately I see too many patients with uneven or persistent bellybutton fat after liposuction needing revisions.As plastic surgeons we all have revisions and often a small touch up can make everything better.  continue following up with your plastic surgeon.If he or she does not give you the answers you need then consider a second opinion.Best,Mats Hagstrom M.D.