Must I remove my navel piercing before abdominal lipo?

Question

I've had a navel piercing for 15 years. I've scheduled abdominal lipo and need to know if I should remove it prior to the procedure.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I have my patients remove the ring.  I suggest a formal consultation with an expert to determine the best way to go about treatment.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Keith Hodge, MD · Answer

Yes, any piercing should be removed if it is in the area that will be sterile and prepped for the procedure. A 15 year old piercing will have a mature tract to allow easy replacement of the piercing after the procedure. Good luck!

Deborah Sillins, MD · Answer

Yes it is important to remove the navel ring to prevent possible infection in the area of surgery. Your surgeon can remove it the time of surgery.

Peter J. Capizzi, MD · Answer

It is always a good idea to remove all piercings for surgery to insure a more sterile environment, while minimizing complication.

Carlos Burnett, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes all jewelry needs to be removed prior to surgery. Although electrocauterry is not used during this procedure you will be safer since no errant soft tissue injuries can occur if the jewelry is removed.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Yes, it is a good idea to remove a navel piercing before liposuction. Often liposuction of the abdomen is approached around the umbilicus and this could interfere with the liposuction and potentially cause contamination.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

You should remove your umbilical piercing the morning of your surgery. It will likely be in the way of any incision sites for the liposuction and is a source of potential infection.

Gustavo E. Galante, MD · Answer

Yes, it is a good idea to remove any piercings that are present in a proposed surgical site. There is a higher chance of an infection having a foreign body in the surgical field.

Gary W. Cox, MD · Answer

Standard procedures would have you remove all jewelry.  Good Luck with your liposuction procedure.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

i do a very large number of Smartlipo cases. IF you can easily remove and then replace the ring immediately after surgery, that is best. if for some reason you cannot get it out, then i think the risks are very lowif you leave it in.david berman md

Must I remove my navel piercing before abdominal lipo?

Answers (10)

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