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

Question

I got a liposuction 8 weeks ago and I still have a swelling (or maybe not enough fat removed ?) area around my belly button that doesn't want to disappear. Is that problem common ? My surgeon said that this area often needs more time to improve precisely because of the presence of the belly button in the middle of the abdomen which prevents the skin to retract as easily as on other areas of the body. Do you think that this can still improve or should I need touching up ?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

It is very common to have bruising and swelling for weeks to months after liposuction procedures.  What is most important is that you follow your surgeons post operative instructions and continue compression.  If you are concerned, lymphatic massage and Velashape or Venus Legacy treatments can be used to improve the swelling and help the skin tighten.  My patients start treatments right away and it improves the long term results.  Speak to your physician if you are concerned. It appers though from this picture that some of this is fat and may need a secondary treatment to remove it.   Best, Dr. Emer.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

It is true that because of the architecture of the subcutaneous tissue the fat in the periumbilical region will maintain swelling longer than the periphery. The other thing is that this is the most commonly undertreated area at the time of liposuction.

David A. Robinson, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.The area around the belly button (periumbilical area) can be very challenging to address when doing liposuction on the abdomen. Based on your picture, I feel you have a good result to date. It can take several months for all of the swelling to resolve and the skin to contour to its final result (especially around the belly button). I would wait at least 6 months before considering whether any further intervention is required. In the meantime, compression over the area and massage will help. I also recommend following your surgeons postoperative instructions.Good luck!

Giovanna Ghafoori, MD · Answer

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!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

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.

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

Answers (5)

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