How individuals and their bodies heal can be very different. In the 10+ years that I have been a pierced person, I'd say the care routines have become less harsh, as sensitivities to cleansing products and antibacterials became known.
I tell folks to follow what their piercer recommends. Yes, navels can take a very long time to heal. Mine took a good year and a half to settle down, and still a decade later, it will flare up when I get sick or even really stressed out.
I don't change my navel piercing too much, as the jewelry for navels is not as inexpensive as earrings. My suggestion would be to get a ring or barbell that is comfortable, and then get those dangles or changable beads to match your outfits.
