Bulge on top of belly button that won’t go away - swelling or do I need a revision? (Photo)

Question

Hello. I had my lipo and fat transfer almost 8 weeks ago. I noticed immediately after the procedure that there was a bulge above my belly button. It has not gone away. Even after post op massages. Could it be swelling still or do I need a revision?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear _ladolcevita55,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You need an examination to see if that is an area of residual fat or perhaps a small hernia that has become invisible since the fat was removed.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I encourage you to return to your surgeon for an evaluation.  Although it is not uncommon to still have some swelling 8 weeks after surgery, the bulge in your photograph does not appear to be typically swelling.  Your surgeon will advise how best to proceed after an examination.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

To make an assessment on the outcome of cosmetic surgery procedures we really need to see proper before and after pictures side-by-side. before pictures tell a lot of the story because it tells if the patient was a good candidate for the procedure, if they had skin issues or other variables that may not be treated by Liposuction alone.
The contour irregularity on your abdomen is either caused by skin laxity, fat distribution or the shape of your muscle wall.
At eight weeks your results should be pretty close to final but There may still be slight inflammation with some firmness that will soften up over the next month.To differentiate skin laxity simply lift up on the skin above the area of concern and see if it flattens out. if it bulges with the skin under tension then its probably fat that wasn’t removed.
Follow up with your provider and discuss with him or her.
Delivering consistent quality liposuction results is more difficult than most people need.
Most plastic surgeons aren’t really that great at liposuction and there is more variance in outcomes depending on who does the procedure with Liposuction than any other cosmetic surgical procedure.
Revisions after liposuction are fairly common. Probably about 20% of patients have them or should have them when procedures are done by average board-certified plastic surgeons.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Bulge on top of belly button that won’t go away - swelling or do I need a revision? (Photo)

Answers (4)

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