Hello, and thank you for your question regarding the bruise above your belly button after sneezing following a lower body lift. Thank you for your history and your picture. Your history suggests that you probably sneezed very hard and disrupted one of the rectus abdominis plication sutures. The popping of the suture probably tore some of the muscle and led to some bruising. Most plastic surgeons place many sutures from the xiphoid (bottom of the sternum) to the umbilicus (belly button) and then from the umbilicus to the top of the pubic symphysis (pubic region). Usually, these sutures are placed in an interrupted fashion. You may have between 30 to 50 different interrupted sutures. Alternatively, your plastic surgeon may have used a running stitch from your xyphoid to your pubic region. Whether you have an interrupted or a running suture on your rectus muscle, you may have torn some of these stitches. This is what probably led to your extreme pain. Once you sneezed, you probably tore the sutures. The tearing of the sutures probably led to some bleeding. This bleeding is now showing as bruising. Usually, situations like yours are conservatively monitored. That means plastic surgeons typically watch, and no treatment is required. If the area continues to be painful, the sutures may need to be removed, although this is exceedingly rare. Thank you for your request regarding a bruise on the belly button from sneezing after a lower body lift. If you have any further questions regarding the lower body lift, 360-degree circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy, please consult with an experienced plastic surgeon. Since the body lift is a significant procedure, it is recommended to seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing lower body lifts. Do your research. Ensure they have performed at least 100 circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before-and-after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if necessary. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS, FASMBS (President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)
