Cosmetic Surgery Tips

Belly button not centered after tummy tuck

Before you get a belly button piercing, consider whether you’re ready to commit to the healing process.

If you have a tummy tuck planned, your belly button is likely to be one of the first things on your mind. It’s a delicate area that needs careful attention in order to heal properly. In this guide, we review the aspects of Belly button not centered after tummy tuck, belly button off center after pregnancy, tummy tuck healing stages, and off center belly button pregnancy.

You can expect some swelling and bruising around your navel after getting a belly button piercing, but it’s important to take care of yourself during this time so that your new piercing heals quickly and with minimal scarring.

Here are some tips for taking care of yourself during the healing process:

  • Keep it clean! When washing dishes or doing laundry, wear an old shirt so that you don’t accidentally bump into your abdomen. If there are any sharp objects around (like broken glass), make sure that they’re out of reach until your piercing has healed completely (this can take up to three months).
  • Don’t touch it! The best way for your body to heal is on its own—so don’t mess with it! If you do feel any bumps or lumps under the skin, see a doctor immediately!
  • Stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of water will help keep everything running smoothly inside your body and help prevent infection before.

Belly button not centered after tummy tuck

These days cosmetic surgery is more popular than ever. Gone are the days where these procedures were hush-hush secrets no one wanted to talk about or address, and folks hid they got done. Now people are excited to let folks know they’ve scheduled some work, and count down the days with glee till their procedures. It’s awesome- people of all genders, shapes, and sizes are embracing their bodies and doing what they deem best to make their bodies feel like home. I’m all about it! But, if you are considering or have body piercings, there are some concerns when it comes to plastic surgery you should be aware of. I speak both as a piercer, but also as someone who has had plastic surgery and been through the healing and the process. Lets look more at how plastic surgery can effect your piercing plans.

Surgery First, Piercing Second

One of the most frequently asked questions is what should I do first? Get surgery or get piercings? The answer is pretty much always get your surgery first. You’ll need to remove the piercing for surgery in the area anyway, and the doctor may work directly on the area where the piercing is located. It’s much easier and ensures better results to wait to be pierced after your procedure. That said depending on the doctor and type of surgery piercings that are nowhere near the procedure area and made of implant grade titanium can often remain in for the procedure. I had my BBL done with all of my facial and ear piercings still in. If you have existing piercings in the area of your procedure, you will need to remove them. I suggest removing them as far out before surgery as you can so the tissue has time to heal up and be stable before your doctor is working on you. I know it can be heartbreaking to remove piercings you love, but plastic surgery is a huge investment, and that’s a part of it.

Breast Augmentation/Reduction- Many of these procedures go through the nipple, or in the case of a lift and top surgery may even remove and reattach the nipple. Not only does this spell the end for most piercings, but sometimes the doctors don’t always put the nipple back the exact same way it was before. AKA I’ve seen perfectly horizontal piercings end up diagonal or even vertical after a nipple is reattached. Even for augmentations that don’t go near the nipple, the procedure can change how your breast sits, and thus how your piercing sits. I’ve seen clients disappointed that their previously perfect piercings now sit at angles or don’t look they way they wanted after surgery with their new breasts.

Tummy Tuck/BBL/Lipo/Laproscopic Procedures/Anything in or near the navel- Often times they cut and stitch the navel, meaning good bye piercing. For tummy tucks, they often reshape and recreate a navel entirely new, with a new shape and everything. Definitely better to be pierced after, since you’ll have a totally new belly button! Speaking from personal experience just the sutures after lipo totally changed the shape of my navel- I had floating navel anatomy before surgery and now I don’t! And they didn’t even rebuild my navel, just popped some stitches in. Definitely worth the wait.

Rhinoplasty/Septoplasty- You are getting a totally new nose! The placement that looked perfect on your old nose might not look great upon your new one, and chances are high your old piercing will close during the surgery and healing process anyway. Definitely worth it to wait. The same applies to septum piercings.

Wait at Least a Year to be Pierced

But Lynn! My doctor said I could be pierced in 2 months/5 months/6 months! Why do I have to wait an entire year! Well, listen, I’m not a doctor. But I am a body piercer. I don’t know anything about medical surgery but I’d like to think I know a thing or two about body piercing. Just like doctors know all about surgery, but often not much about body piercing. Case in point, the very sweet Dr at my clinic who asked me earnestly if the surface piercings in my face were drilled into the bone. (For the record, body piercers are not drilling into peoples bones, surface piercings just go in the skin!) Doctors, while well meaning, often don’t have the education or training specifically about what goes into body piercing to understand things like timeframes to pierce again. We need tissue, particularly surgically altered tissue, to be healthy and stable before we try creating a piercing and getting the body to heal it. This takes a long time. If you’ve had surgery, you know sometimes 6-12 months after you still have areas that are numb/tingly/itchy/or get weird phantom sensations. That issue is still changing in color, texture, and density, often almost a year post op. Those are all signs your body are still healing and internally there’s still things being done. I’m personally approaching a year since my BBL and my scars are still changing color and texture. You want everything to be fully healed and stabilized before piercing. You should wait double the healing time of your surgery for most piercings to be totally viable, which means at least a year. You spent so much money and so much effort to get this surgery and heal it. Don’t mess it up by rushing to be pierced! Patience will lead you to have a much more successful and enjoyable piercing experience. Piercing too soon after surgery can lead to bad scarring, migration and rejection. The last thing you want is an awful scar marring your beautiful surgical results, when you could have waited longer and had a beautiful piercing instead. Patience pays!

Sometimes, I will request clients wait longer, or suggest further treatments on the area if the tissue does not feel healthy enough. And sometimes, it’s simply not possible to repierce after a surgery. A great example is anything that rebuilds the navel. Sometimes doctors don’t leave enough of a shelf to place a navel piercing in, and there’s nothing we can to to magically make more tissue grow. Definitely go into being pierced with realistic expectations, and don’t be to disappointed if the answer is no.

Don’t Expect it to be the Same Experience

Getting pierced through surgically altered tissue is absolutely a different experience than being pierced through healthy tissue. The piercing itself doesn’t feel too much different, but healing is an entirely different beast. You need to be must more fragile and cautious with healing these piercings. I often limit clients to just the most basic jewelry, something that’s very easy to heal with and not going to get caught or snagged. The concern is getting the piercing to heal first, fashion can be a worry once it’s fully healed! Regular followups are key to getting these to heal well, I ask my clients to see me for monthly checkups, or to stay in contact via social media during the healing process. These piercings can be a challenge to heal, and you should be prepared to need to do extra cleaning and care, and possibly purchase more jewelry for upsizing and downsizing as you heal. Definitely weigh the pros and cons of piercing after surgery, and make sure you are ready to give this piercing the time and energy it needs to heal correctly.

Pick an Experienced Piercer

Not every piercer has experience working on surgically altered tissue. It’s crucial as a client you find a piercer who is. Check portfolios, and ask questions about their experience with this. They should have photos to show healed piercings, and an understanding of what is done during these surgeries so they can understand how it alters the skin. A piercer must understand how the procedures are preformed in order to understand how the skin has been altered, and to understand what considerations need to be taken with piercing. They should also be honest with you about any risks surrounding doing the piercing, and how much of a chance they give it at healing. Ask plenty of questions, and don’t be afraid to consult with multiple piercers and get a few different opinions before committing to being pierced.

Plastic surgery, like piercings, are a fantastic way to modify your body for your own goals and desires. I love the support these days for people taking their bodies into their own hands, and work towards achieving their ideal looks! Plastic surgery and piercings can play nice, but it definitely takes some extra considerations and care. Please be cautious and mindful, but enjoy the process of modifying your body, however you choose to do so!

belly button off center after pregnancy

If you’ve recently given birth, know that your body went through a lot of changes during pregnancy and delivery. Some of those changes might, well… hang on a bit or lead to other changes after you’ve gone home.

If you feel a slight bulge just above your belly button after pregnancy — as opposed to only the standard postpartum bulge lower down — you may have a hernia. But don’t worry; a postpartum hernia is typically just a bump in the road after having a baby. This kind of hernia is usually not serious and can happen for several reasons.

Hernias can happen to anyone, and there are several different types. All hernias happen when part of your insides (like fat, tissue, or intestines) push through an opening or weakened area of the muscle or tissue right beneath the skin.

A hernia isn’t too common postpartum, but it does happen. Some types are more common with pregnancy than others:

Signs and symptoms of a postpartum hernia depend on what kind of hernia you have and the cause. You may have:

With any kind of postpartum hernia, the bulge or bump may temporarily worsen when you:

Seek medical attention right away

Symptoms of a serious hernia that mean you need emergency medical treatment include:

A postpartum hernia usually happens because some of the effects of pregnancy, vaginal delivery, or a C-section are still hanging around.

Your growing baby and belly during pregnancy increases the pressure on the abdominal wall. This can stretch the stomach muscles and make them weaker or even separate in some areas. When this happens, the inner abdomen lining, fat, or even bits of intestines can push up against these areas, causing a bump.

A hernia can happen in or around the belly button because this area is naturally weaker than the rest of the abdominal wall.

If you had a cesarean delivery, you may get a postpartum hernia along the area of your incision. This can happen if the muscles and opening don’t heal properly or if there’s too much pressure on the area before you fully recover.

If your hernia is large or is causing symptoms and pain, you may need a medical procedure to treat it. Most postpartum hernias can be repaired laparoscopically (with a keyhole surgery). This means that your surgeon will only make a small incision over the hernia site.

Next, a tiny surgical mesh is slipped through the keyhole to “patch” up and strengthen the hole or weakened area in the stomach wall. For very large postpartum hernias, you may need a bigger surgery that helps to rejoin the stomach’s muscle wall by suturing them or with a bigger mesh.

No matter what kind of surgery you need, recovery time is important and may be difficult to do with a small baby. You’ll need to avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for up to 6 weeks. It may take up to a month to feel recovered from the surgery.

Your doctor may recommend the “watch and wait” approach if your postpartum hernia is small and not causing symptoms or discomfort. This means waiting to see if the hernia gets better on its own as your abdominal wall and stomach muscles get stronger day by day.

A larger hernia may not go away on its own, but you may not wish to have surgery if it’s not causing any symptoms. Let your doctor know if you have a postpartum hernia, even if it’s small. It’s important to get it checked out to make sure it doesn’t get worse or cause symptoms.

If you’re planning to have more kiddos, your doctor may advise you to wait until afterward to repair the hernia, as long as it’s not causing symptoms or other side effects. A medical study that followed 3,578 women who had surgery for a ventral hernia found that of those who got pregnant again after surgery, some developed another hernia in the same area again.

This study brings up a great question, and an unfortunate answer: If you’ve had a postpartum hernia, you may have a higher risk of getting it again or having a worse hernia with your next pregnancy.

Expecting parents can sometimes also get a hernia during pregnancy. You may be more likely to get one if you had one before, postpartum or not. Again, don’t worry, hernias can also be a normal side effect of pregnancy and won’t put your growing baby at risk.

In fact, if you had more of an “outie” belly button during pregnancy when you normally have an “innie,” you technically had a hernia. This happens because your growing baby is pushing your insides and stomach muscles up and out.

When this pressure reaches a weaker area like the belly button a bulge may form during pregnancy. These kinds of hernia happen just under the skin and you and your baby are still healthy and safe.

A hiatal hernia is more serious and usually happens during the second trimester. You won’t see this this kind of hernia because it’s inside your body. In a hiatal hernia, the stomach pushes upwards against the diaphragm muscles just below the chest.

You can’t always prevent a hernia, especially during pregnancy. After you have your baby, you may be able to lower your risk of getting a postpartum hernia by giving yourself time to recover and reducing pressure around your stomach area. To help prevent a hernia, try to:

If you find yourself constipated, consider a stool softener or adding fiber to your diet to avoid straining in the bathroom. If these methods don’t relieve constipation, your doctor may also recommend a laxative.

Hernias are common during pregnancy and after pregnancy. Postpartum hernias can happen for several reasons. See your doctor even if you don’t have any symptoms or the hernia is very small.

Most hernias don’t go away on their own. You may need surgery for larger hernias. If you have a minor hernia, your doctor may recommend waiting until you’re no longer having biological children to make sure the hernia doesn’t happen again after surgery.

Lower your risk of postpartum hernias by letting yourself recover before you get back into your (new) “normal” routine. Avoid doing anything that might put pressure on your abdomen and groin area.

tummy tuck healing stages

How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Tummy Tuck Surgery?

How long does it take to recover from a tummy tuck procedure? Contrary to common belief, tummy tuck recovery time is not nearly as long and painful as it once was. New surgical and treatment techniques allow patients to recover more quickly and with relatively minimal discomfort.

How Long Does It Take to Heal from a Tummy Tuck?

There are a variety of abdominoplasty and tummy tuck procedures available, and each one has a slightly different recovery time. Your treatment plan is determined by the level of correction needed to meet the desired end results.

Most patients return to work after a tummy tuck within 7-10 days and resume strenuous exercise in about 4-6 weeks. By 3 to 6 months post-op, most patients are enjoying their permanent results.

However, it is also important to note that results are only permanent when patients maintain them with regular exercise and a healthy diet.

As you read the tummy tuck recovery week by week details below, understand that the healing time for every tummy tuck is different and depends upon the extent of your surgical plan. However, in most cases, there is a relatively predictable tummy tuck recovery timeline.

Day 1 of the Surgery

Tummy tuck procedures are performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Therefore, you must have someone to drive you home after surgery and take care of you afterward so you can rest for the remainder of the day. It may take several hours for the anesthesia medication to wear off, so expect to be groggy for a while.

Discomfort is also to be expected, which can be managed with medications. During your pre-operative appointment, you will receive prescriptions for oral medications to take prior to surgery to reduce the likelihood of infection as well as prescription pain medications to help you manage your discomfort.

Week 1 After Surgery

Week one of tummy tuck recovery involves getting plenty of rest and following all of the surgeon’s post-operative instructions. This will not only help heal your incision heal and reduce swelling more quickly, but it will also help to maximize your tummy tuck results.

What does a tummy tuck recovery day by day timeline look like in the first week? Here’s what to keep in mind:

Remember, discomfort, bruising, and swelling are to be expected, but if you begin to experience fever, nausea, unusual pain, or redness around the incision site, contact your surgeon.

Tummy Tuck Guide

Thinking of a Tummy Tuck here in Baltimore? Get a sneak peek of what to expect. Fill out the form below and get access to our free procedure guide and learn the ins and outs of your personal transformation GET THE TUMMY TUCK GUIDE SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Week 2 After Surgery

While some restrictions are lifted after week 1, it is still important to take it easy and follow your surgeon’s instructions. After coming this far, you do not want to undo all the great work you and your surgeon have done.

Ensure you make note of the following during week 2 of your tummy tuck recovery:

Weeks 3 & 4 After Surgery

By weeks 3 and 4 you’ll be about halfway through your initial tummy tuck healing timeline. Take into account the guidelines below to continue your quick recovery:

Week 5 & 6 After Surgery

During week 5 and 6 of your tummy tuck recovery you should do the following:

Tummy Tuck 3-6 Months Post-Op Results

Time to enjoy your flat, smooth, slim tummy! As we mentioned, each person’s tummy tuck recovery time varies, but most patients are ready to return to normal activities within 3-6 months after their initial procedure. While everyone’s tummy tuck results timeline is slightly different, it is critical for every patient to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to stay fit and well.

An abdominoplasty can rid people of the extra skin, fat, and tissue that diet, exercise, or even liposuction alone cannot address. While the tummy tuck recovery process may sound daunting, the highly skilled surgeons at Belcara Health strive to provide you with the best results and the least amount of discomfort possible.

If you’re interested in learning more about tummy tuck procedures at Belcara Health or want to discuss your options, contact us here or call 410-442-6617 to speak to a representative.

off center belly button pregnancy

It may sound silly to wonder about the pregnant belly button, but there are a lot of questions on this topic! During pregnancy, the belly button can undergo a lot of changes. It helps to know what to expect, what’s normal and not, and how to care for your navel while you’re pregnant.

Belly Button Pops Out

Sometimes during pregnancy, your pregnant belly button will stick out. Even if you’ve been an “innie” all of your life, during pregnancy the expansion of your abdomen can cause you to be an “outie.”

There isn’t much you can do about this usually temporary condition, except to cover it with clothing. Some people tape something over their navel, like a bandage, to create a more flat appearance under their clothing.

If your belly button has popped out, have your practitioner check it out to ensure you don’t have a hernia. This sometimes happens during pregnancy or postpartum.

Be sure to have any unusual bulges examined, especially if they are painful or non-reducible (they don’t flatten out when you press on them). Pregnancy may cause umbilical hernias or make a pre-existing one more apparent. Umbilical hernias occur in 0.08% of pregnancies.

Belly Button Goes Flat

Another variation of belly button changes is that your belly button can go flat. Yes, as your stomach expands with the baby, you may notice that your belly button becomes flat and taut against your skin.

This is normal and will usually revert back to your normal belly button once your baby is born. Sometimes you will see a flap of skin that lays flat with an indent. This is not a cause for concern.

Stay Calm Mom: Episode 3

Watch all episodes of our Stay Calm Mom video series and follow along as our host Tiffany Small talks to a diverse group of women and top doctors to get real answers to the biggest pregnancy questions.

How Will Pregnancy Change My Body?

Belly Button Itches

Itchy skin, particularly around the belly button, is fairly common during pregnancy. As the skin stretches, it can become irritated and itchy. This is usually temporary and normal.

Keep your skin clean with soap and water and well hydrated with your favorite lotion for some relief. An over-the-counter hydrocortisone or antihistamine cream can help temporarily, if your healthcare provider recommends it.

If you don’t find relief in these over-the-counter products, talk to your provider. An isolated itchy navel should not be confused with pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). This is a diffuse and severely itchy rash that occurs all over the torso, rather than just on the belly button. Your doctor or midwife can give you more information if this is suspected.

Belly Button Hurts

Sometimes pregnant people will have a painful sensation inside their belly button. This can be caused by the stretching of the skin on your abdomen or it can a muscular issue. Always report pain to your doctor or midwife. They may have some suggestions for how to help alleviate the pain. For most people, it is temporary as the belly stretches.

If you experience sharp pain that feels stabbing and does not go away after a minute, call your doctor or midwife for advice.

Belly Button Piercings and Pregnancy

Many people have their navels pierced prior to becoming pregnant. They each make different decisions regarding the belly button ring during pregnancy. Some choose to remove it at their practitioner’s request, especially as the pregnancy progresses.

Theoretically, as the pregnant abdomen stretches, the ring could tear through the umbilical skin. Many people choose to use a silicone or plastic ring to keep the piercing open, and replace the original ring after delivery.

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