LBL and my new belly button

 Hi guys! I'm 2 weeks post op ffrom my LBL and BL/BA and my belly button is kind of gooey and swollen looking. It looked great right after, but it looks swollen now and is kind of looking like an outie. I have some discomfort underneath it, but have been using my stomach more as I've been moving around. Is all this normal or am I going to end up with a funky belly button. My mom says I'm crazy, but I'm just looking for some reassurance. Also, I've suffered from anxiety in the past and I'm noticing my anxiety has been really bad since surgery. Did anyone else get this? Any suggestions?

 My surgeon told me to clean my new belly button with a q-tip.  I'm still putting neosporin on it daily.  You might like to put an antibiotic cream on it if you think it's a bit infected.  I dont see how that could hurt but I'm not an MD.

I don't suffer from anxiety but I think that everything is so heightened post-op.  there are so many things to worry about.  I was so happy to have daily surgeon care for two weeks after my plastics.  I got to ask him silly questions daily to keep me satisfied that nothing was wrong.

I think you're right on track!

At one point my belly button got pretty gnarly. I treated it for days with straight bacitracin (was told not to use neosporin because there is something in it that some large percentage of people react to) and once I got back in for a follow up it turned out it was a piece of the surgical glue that was sort of mucky and once she pulled that out things improved greatly.

I have also suffered from anxiety. It was definitely heightened after the surgery--still is according to the ER doc I saw last night for another issue! I think our resources for dealing with emotional stuff is just really limited during the  post op period because of a combination of factors from the anesthesia, pain meds, pain, exhaustion from not being able to rest well, and the sheer fact that there are so damn many things to worry about. I wish I could be more like our dear Ms. Lee with her amazingly positive outlook, but as someone who has been known to be a worry wort, it has been a really challenging time for me. They all tell me we'll be okay--and I'm patiently waiting!! :)

Do you normally take something for anxiety? If not, I'd say ask for a prescription for something to take the edge off. I think the more relaxed you are, the better you heal and I can't see the disagreeing.

Hope it clears up soon!!

Take good care!

Denise

 See your doctor about your belly button if you can. Maybe it is a stitch coming out, maybe a topical infection, maybe a seroma underneath. Maybe it is nothing.  If you can get an answer from the man who would DEFINITELY know for sure then you will feel less anxiety.  If you can't get in to see your surgeon, see if you can send an email photo.

We all worry ALOT after the surgery. Goes with the terrority. Hang tough!

 I also was concerned about my belly button. My Dr. said that because it isn't aerated, it might not heal as quickly. It took a little while longer. I used a Q tip and gently swabbed it with rubbing alcohol, then antibacterial ointment. That did the trick!

I agree, I also got very nervous/anxious after my surgery. I was worried about EVERYTHING. Now I'm worried that my sugar habit will destroy all my hard work. There is always something to worry about!

I never had anxiety in the past but since the surgery..oh my goodness. I am a freaking nervous wreck about my healing.. thankfully my ps gave me 10  pills of xanax.. OMG.. I am taking one tonight ... just to take it down a notch.. MY belly button looks a little moist too.. I took NON STick guaze pad cut like a wick a tipped in to the belly button and covered it with a NON stick sterile guaze pad.. it looks similar to my wound for my drain.. trying to keep it dry and clean.. I use my blow dryer on cool and low to dry those areas completely after my showers.. ..
Good luck .. let me know..how it goes.. I am a bit of a wreck...

Michelle