3 month - lump

Today I had my 3 month check up and all is well (almost). My labs per all within normal range and my blood sugar is undercontrol. I have been off diabetes meds since the day of surgery. I have lost 45% of the extra weight already..........but I have a lump at the mid section of my incision. Possible hernia...of course this was never going to happen to me!!! I am freaking out. Another surgery was not in the plans. My doctor said to watch it for 3 months and see if it gets bigger or if I start showing symptoms of a hernia. Has anyone else had a hernia? Or even a hump that maybe went away and ended up not being a hernia? Colleen

Colleen, Why doesn't he do a cat scan on you? I had one done today as a matter of fact! I've been having a pain inbetween my bottom left incision and my belly button incision. It felt like my muscle, but I couldn't be sure. My surgeon put me on celebrex but since that didn't help he decided to do a cat scan. He said that would rule out a hernia, twisted bowel, and other issues... I wasn't having symptoms for those things, but he wanted to rule it out. He said the good news is, it's nothing bad. Bad news is, he can't fix it. He said the stitches they use in the muscle are permanent ones, not ones that disolve. He said they could be irritating the muscle and causing inflamation and pain or one of the stitches could actually be around a nerve. So he gave me an elastic binder for my waiste. It actually helps! I just hope it goes away SOON! I know I didn't answer your question, but my point was, why doesn't he do a cat scan on you? Donna

Hi Colleen! Sorry to hear about the possible hernia I don't mean to make light of this at all, but I was almost hoping that I would get one because I had heard from many that insurance will pay for a tummy tuck if there is a hernia (I was self-pay). That may not be what you want to hear, but maybe that makes the situation a bit better? I hope it goes away on its own. Good Luck, Roni 240/176/140

Roni - I was self pay also...I am glad to hear about the tummy tuck but wondering if the insurance will pay because it is caused by the surgery that they wouldn't cover. What do you think? Will thay say the WLS caused it and therefore I am on my own? Colleen

Hi Colleen. My former career (before becoming a SAHM) was as a HR Manager for AT&T, but benefits wasn't my specialty. Personally, I think that they WILL cover the surgery. My understanding of my plan that has WLS as an exclusion, is that they will cover what happens to you after the surgery if they are no fault of your own. I had a fistula develop and was rushed by ambulance to the ER and was admitted for 3 days and had a battery of tests and I was only charged my hospital co-pay b/c I didn't cause it to myself. My WLS surgeon was my admitting dr so it wasn't like we hid it. I also know that my insurance covered my EGD but that was done by a GI dr. I think that they WOULD cover, especially if you have proper documentation. That would be nice to get something out of them when they made you pay on your own! I will pray that it resolves itself, but if it doesn't that you just won a free TT. If insurance does cover, maybe you could pray for me to get a hernia LOL I hope you know that I don't mean to make light of your possible hernia at all, but I am just trying to be optimistic. Keep me posted! Roni 240/176/140