I recieved a message from a woman whose new navel piercing didn't look the way she had hoped it would:

I had this done yesterday and was wondering if it looks this way because im too fat or did the guy mess up and should of pierced me further OUT of my belly button. I got this in hopes that it would help me feel more confident about myself but instead I feel so much worse. I mean my belly button ate the whole bottom part.

My reply:

Thanks for your message. Did the piercer stand you up to mark the placement? That usually helps a skilled piercer to mark a piercing that will show better when you're standing as the baseline. Naturally, it looks different when your body is in different positions….

Another option is to change the jewelry to a j-curve.

You can get them here if your piercer doesn't stock them:

http://www.bodycircle.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=17&lastcatid=6&step=4

That would allow just the post on the inside of your navel, and not the whole ball. And, then the bottom ball or gem is pushed forward so it shows.

You can see it in a navel on my page here:

http://www.ringsofdesire.com/gallery/close_navel_JCurve.html

Body piercings are meant to be positive adornments, so whatever you decide, make sure you're happy with the outcome.