2 weeks post op lipo and belly ring barely goes through now. Is the piercing still there?

Question

I am currently two weeks post liposuction of my abdominal flanks and back. I've had a belly ring for over 15 years and I removed it prior to surgery and have yet to put it back on because I am still very swollen, however today I tried putting it in and it barely goes through. Is the piercing still there or has the lipo diminished it somehow?

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your surgery.  It sounds like you are still very swollen which can make putting your piercing back in a little difficult.   I would recommend giving it some more time for your swelling to come down and try again.  Best of luck to you.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

It is possible your piercing is still there but you may still have a lot of swelling. It may take up to 6 months for all of the swelling to resolve. Ta;l to your surgeon about your piercing, it may have been compromised during liposuction and you may need to get it re-pierced. Good luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

It may be too soon to tell.  You have swelling, which can last 3-6 months after your procedure. I recommend adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

smallwaist. I appreciate your concern, however your belly button ring hole should still be there, and as swelling resolves, you should be able to replace the ring. Most swelling decreases within 2 to 4 weeks after liposuction however 100% of swelling can take as long as six months to resolve. Voice your concerns with your plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The procedure did not do anything to your piercing, this is likely a result of the ongoing swelling. See your surgeon for an exam if you have concerns.Good luck!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
You are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months for the swelling to go down and try again.
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

Rafi S. Bidros, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The piercing is likely still there, but post-operative swelling is preventing you from putting it back in.  Give yourself a few more weeks to allow swelling to subside.  Best of luck with your recovery.

John Zavell, MD, FACS · Answer

Since you are only 2 weeks from the liposuction, the difficulty in inserting the belly button ring is most likely due to swelling.  This should continue to improve over the next several weeks.  Sometimes the liposuction is done through an incision by the belly button and this could alter the ability to insert the ring.  Discuss with your surgeon and good luck.

Daniel Greenwald, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

If the surgeon used your umbilicus (belly button) as an aperture for liposuction then it is possible that the piercing has been lost.  If there was not any belly button manipulation but swelling caused the hole to close you may need to be re-pierced.

2 weeks post op lipo and belly ring barely goes through now. Is the piercing still there?

Answers (9)

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